Balzan Youths 1
Tarxien Rainbows 3

Tarxien Rainbows again relied on the brilliance of their Brazilian players to negotiate their way past Balzan Youths and into the second round of the FA Trophy.

A spectacular goal from Sergio, along with equally eye-catching strikes from Cristiano and Everton Pereira, ensured Tarxien cleared the first hurdle of the competition.

They always looked a cut above their opponents with Sergio and Ricardo orchestrating every attacking move for their team and the Balzan defenders struggling to contain the swift incursions of the South American forwards.

Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro was forced to make do without striker Daniel Mariano Bueno, who is nursing an ankle injury, while Orosco Anonam started on the bench.

Tarxien were on the offensive right from the outset and after seven minutes Sergio slid the ball into the path of Gianluca Calabretta who sped past his marker before rounding Balzan keeper Fredric Tabone but his shot was deflected to a corner by Clint Micallef.

That was just the prelude of what was to come as on 13 minutes Tarxien forged ahead and what a great goal it was.

The move was initiated by Sergio who delivered a perfect ball to Cristiano. The latter was quick to lay the pass into the path of Ricardo who sped towards the byeline before sending a teasing cross towards Sergio. The way was clear and Sergio showed great co-ordination to unleash a powerful volley that lifted the roof of the Balzan net.

Five minutes later Calabretta squared the ball into the path of Cristiano but he was anticipated by Balzan keeper Tabone who blocked the danger.

Balzan’s response arrived on 22 minutes when in a quick break Silvan Ciscaldi entered the area but his angled shot was ably dealt with by David Cassar, the Tarxien keeper.

Five minutes later Tabone had to be on the alert to keep out Ryan Grech’s close range shot after the Rainbows midfielder was released by Ricardo.

On the half hour Renato Conceicao came to Balzan’s rescue when he cleared off the line a Ricardo header that looked destined to hit the net from a Mark Tanti corner.

Tarxien’s second goal 11 minutes from the break came as no surprise. From another Tanti corner, Cristiano headed the ball home.

But Balzan never threw in the towel and managed to reopen the match on the stroke of half-time.

Julian Vella floored Steve Meilak in the penalty area and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. Uchanna Anywanna sent Cassar the wrong way to put the Youths back in the reckoning.

Four minutes into the second half Sergio came close to restoring Tarxien’s two-goal lead when he headed just wide from a Tanti corner.

Balzan were not at ease when defending Tarxien’s set-pieces and on 56 minutes the Rainbows struck again from another corner. This time it was Calabretta who delivered the cross into the area where Everton Perreira rose high to head the ball past Tabone.

Meilak could have re-opened the match for Balzan on the hour when he dashed in the area from the right but his grounder skimmed the upright with Cassar beaten.

Balzan tried hard to save the match but Tarxien did well to keep control and administer their lead. Despite their commitment, the Youths lacked cohesion in their play and the Rainbows defence was never under threat.

Balzan: F. Tabone, C. Micallef, D. Agius, J. Francica (71 B. Bondin), M. Buttigieg, S. Ciscaldi (63 M. Sciortino), D. Grima (75 L. Micallef), D. Fenech, S. Meilak, U. Anywanna, R. Conceicao.

Tarxien: D. Cassar, S. Sadowski, E. Pereira, G. Calabretta, Ricardo, Cristiano, Sergio (75 O. Anonam), M. Tanti, J. Vella (64 L. Galea), R. Mintoff, R. Grech (46 J. Grioli).

Referee: Mario Apap.

Yellow cards: Sadowski, Mintoff, Micallef, Francica, Ricardo, Scior-tino, Calabretta.

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