Rainbows chase result for merited point

Tarxien Rainbows 3
St Patrick 3

Tarxien and St Patrick went into their direct encounter eyeing maximum spoils to keep their promotion hopes alive.

In the end, the two sides had to settle for a draw in a dramatic match that saw the Rainbows annulling a two-goal deficit and having another goal disallowed for offside on the stroke of time.

Tarxien are now second in the standings with 12 points, two behind leaders Qormi while St Patrick are further back in fifth place on the 10-point mark.

Played under grey skies at the Tedesco Stadium, the match was entertaining even though at times the players had to endure the pelting hail which also led to a three-minute stop.

Just after the first quarter, St Patrick forged ahead as Tarxien goalkeeper Curmi could do little to keep out Coleiro's shot from close range.

Despite this setback, the Rainbows hit back almost immediately as they won a penalty which was converted by Alan Tabone who had been floored inside the box.

Quick reactions were the order of the day as Bobby Giorev's Saints again took the lead on 21 minutes.

A Cassar free-kick was headed awkwardly by the Tarxien defence and Abela nipped in with a quick header that had the better of Curmi.

On 32 minutes, St Patrick established a two-goal lead. Coleiro darted into the penalty area and was tripped by Schembri. The referee ordered a penalty and Failla beat Curmi with a shot that the Rainbows' custodian nearly managed to block.

St Patrick were firmly in control but two minutes from half-time, Tarxien bridged the gap when Steve Sadowski lofted a cross towards the box and Maczerob Okoro was quickest to the ball to head into the net.

After the interval, the Rainbows were a sprightly lot and surged forward in search of an equaliser. On 52 minutes, the scores were level. Tabone's free-kick reached substitute Darmanin who curled a shot into the net.

Inside the last quarter, Cassar's speculative shot from half pitch almost deceived a stunned Curmi in goal as the ball took an awkward bounce in front of goal and rebounded off the woodwork.

Nine minutes from time, Tarxien could have taken the lead for the first time as a brilliant one-two move freed Tabone inside the area and the striker beat Cassar only for defender Saliba to clear off the line.

With the clock weighing down and the rain lashing down on the pitch, the referee opted to give the players some reprieve. Play was suspended for a few minutes with players and coaching staff seeking refuge under the substitutes bench canopy.

After the unscheduled re-start and, with seconds remaining, Tarxien had the ball in the net through the opportunistic Darmanin.

The Rainbows players looked in ecstasy but the assistant referee had his flag raised for an infringement. A quick consultation with the referee followed and Darmanin's 'goal' was disallowed for offside.

Tarxien: A. Curmi, S. Sadowski, M. Micallef, J. Francica, O. Grech, S. Farrugia (M. Caruana), S. Shead, A. Tabone, P. Camilleri, M. Okoro (E. Cutajar), J. Schembri (R. Darmanin).

St Patrick: D. Cassar, R. Cassar, M. Zerafa, M. Fleri Soler, G. Failla (S. Zerafa), S. Magro (K. Micallef), K. Coleiro, V. Camilleri, C. Micallef, E. Saliba, K. Abela.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Next fixtures...

Wednesday (Hibs Ground)
9 a.m. Senglea vs Mqabba
11 a.m. Naxxar vs Vittoriosa.