Ħamrun salvage a point against Tarxien

Ħamrun Spartans 2
Zammit 61 pen., Mawete 67
Tarxien Rainbows 2
Denni 5, 25

Ħamrun Spartans salvaged a point against Tarxien Rainbows after coming back from two goals down at half-time.

There was no hint of the late drama to come as the Rainbows had enough openings to build on their seemingly unassailable two-goal advantage with Denni Rocha Dos Santos and Anderson Ribeiro in scintillating form.

Yet, Stephen D'Amato's men did not let their heads drop and came back with two second-half goals to set up a tense finale. It capped an amazing turnaround, with Ħamrun looking out of contention after they were completely outclassed in the opening half.

Luke Vella Critien was in the starting XI as Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro named an otherwise unchanged team after three wins and three clean sheets that had propelled his side to a Championship Pool berth.

David Cassar got the nod ahead of Anthony Curmi but his evening was cut short when he was dismissed on the hour mark.

Tarxien almost took the lead after four minutes. Mark Tanti failed to finish off a sparkling passage of play - Riberio's flick released Denni and the latter's pass was met crisply by Tanti - but the former St Patrick midfielder, unmarked in the box, shot high and wide.

The Spartans are never more vulnerable than when they are on the attack, as Qormi and Valletta have proved recently, and they were victims again one minute later when Ribeiro broke up a move deep in the opponents' territory. He raced forward and found Denni who swept past the Ħamrun rearguard with embarrassing ease before powering a shot beyond Ivan Casha.

The Spartans' approach was basic at best, but it almost brought them an equaliser when Cassar was well placed to stop a shot by Joao Baptista Mawete.

On 16 minutes, Ribeiro did everything right to release Denni for the chance to double the score but the nippy midfielder somehow dragged his shot wide.

Tarxien needed the security of a second goal to underpin their supremacy and Denni provided it by exposing all parts of Ħamrun's vulnerability to double their advantage after 25 minutes as the Brazilian gave Casha no chance with a low finish - 2-0.

The Spartans had barely offered any sort of threat but they gave themselves an opportunity to salvage something when they pulled a goal back on 61 minutes.

The Tarxien rearguard was caught napping and allowed Manolito Micallef a clear run on goal. Cassar hauled him down as he went around the keeper and referee Chris Lautier pointed to the spot before showing the Rainbows keeper the red card.

Tanti was sacrificed for Curmi whose first task was to face Zammit's penalty. The on-loan Valletta player threw Ħamrun a lifeline when he buried the ball behind Curmi from the spot.

And Ħamrun's recovery was complete after 67 minutes when Zammit turned provider as he broke down the right flank in a sweeping attack and crossed for Mawete to turn home from close range.

The Ħamrun supporters, who sat in desolation during the interval, were now in ecstasy and contemplating a victory that seemed impossible just a few minutes earlier.

The closing stages reverted to a cat-and-mouse affair.

On 75 minutes, Zammit thundered a shot against the crossbar before the ball bounced out for a goal kick. On the other side, Ribeiro chased a long pass but after Clyde Camoin and Mark Anthony Bonnici collided, he failed to profit and missed the chance to score a late winner.

Playing today

Anniversary Cup QF: Tedesco Stadium, 18.30 - Mosta vs Sliema.

Ħamrun Spartans: I. Casha-6, M.A. Bonnici-6, R. Fenech-6, M. Micallef-6.5, I. Zammit-7.5, L. Agius-6, G. Spiteri-5 (90' M. Barbara), M. Hrusba-5, J. Batista Mawete-6.5, R. Mangion-6, C. Camoin-6.

Tarxien Rainbows: D. Cassar-, S. Sadowski-6 (69' K. Magro-5), D. Camilleri-6, E. Pereira-5, A. Ribeiro-7 (83' G. Calabretta), M. Tanti-6 (61' A. Curmi-5), L. Vella Critien-6, M. Caruana-6, J. Grioli-5, R. Mintoff-5, D. Rocha Dos Santos-7.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Yellow cards: Camoin, Zammit, Tanti, Caruana.

Red card: Cassar (T) 60.

BoV player of the match: Denni Rocha Dos Santos (Tarxien Rainbows).