Tarxien Rainbows 1
Ricardo 46;
Ħamrun Spartans 1
Silva 59;

Ħamrun Spartans and Tarxien Rainbows were involved in an abrasive duel which ended one-all.

The match developed into a balanced contest with little separating the two teams. When Brazilian forward Ricardo put the Rainbows ahead with a gem of a goal early in the second half, Tarxien looked well on course to record their first victory after two successive defeats.

However, the Spartans refused to lie down and managed to draw level through Luis Silva midway into the second half. Ħamrun would have taken maximum points had Gaetan Spiteri not squandered two inviting chances in the closing stages.

Spartans coach Jesmond Zammit will have been heartened by the reaction of his team after the disappointment of having their 3-1 win over Balzan turned into a 2-0 defeat after Ħamrun were found to have fielded an ineligible player.

Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro made one change from the team that suffered a 2-1 defeat to Floriana a fortnight ago. Manuel Caruana was given the nod to start in midfield ahead of Stefan Giglio.

The Spartans, for their part, welcomed back Portuguese wing-back Silva who started on the bench after recovering from a shoulder injury. Veteran Rupert Mangion earned a first-team recall with Swiss player Carlo Polli switching to right-back.

The Rainbows created the first chance of the match after two minutes. Rodrigo sped clear on the right before sending a low cross that was partially cleared by Nikica Gacesca with the ball falling to Daniel Mariano Bueno who fired over.

The Spartans’ reply arrived on seven minutes when Massimo Grima tried his luck from the distance with the ball finishing just over.

On 13 minutes, Rodrigo had a golden opportunity to give Tarxien the lead when the Brazilian found himself in ample space in the area but, with only Omar Borg to beat, he drove against the side-netting.

Four minutes later, Roderick Fenech came close for the Spartans. The defender showed good technique as he moved past two Rainbows players but hit just wide.

That was Fenech’s last contribution as he limped off after suffering an injury. He was replaced by Silva.

The Portuguese took up a wide position on the right of midfield as Kevin Sammut moved into the centre. Grima dropped back to partner Gacesca in defence.

Scoring chances remained few and far between with both teams lacking flair in the final third.

On 35 minutes, Silva cut the ball back for Gianluca Calabretta whose shot was blocked. From the rebound, Silva’s effort was also repelled by the Rainbows defence.

After the restart, Coleiro withdrew on-loan forward Adrian Carabott and brought on Karl Pulo.

The Rainbows made a terrific start to the second half. Ricardo Costa won possession in midfield and unleashed a powerful drive that flew into the top corner of the net.

This goal revitalised the Rainbows who, two minutes later, almost struck again when Rodrigo beat the offside trap but his shot was deflected away for a corner by Gacesca.

The Spartans fought back. Their reaction procured a good chance on 57 minutes when Grima’s long pass released Spiteri who sprinted into the area but his firm drive was pushed away by David Cassar.

Two minutes later, Ħamrun drew level. Anderson Ribeiro, yesterday facing his former team, curled a cross into the area and Silva rose to head the ball past Cassar.

Buoyed by their equaliser, the Spartans increased their pressure. On 64 minutes, Sammut sent Spiteri through on goal only to be denied by an excellent block from Cassar.

Five minutes later, the Ħamrun striker wasted another golden chance. Receiving another pass from Sammut, Spiteri lobbed wide.

At the death, the Spartans were unlucky not to score the winner when Ribeiro stormed into the area but his drive was tipped away by Cassar with the aid of the crossbar.

Tarxien Rainbows
D. Cassar-8, C. Sammut-6, M. Caruana-6.5, Everton-6.5, A. Carabott-5 (46 K. Pulo-5), Ricardo-7 (79 R. Sarraiva), Rodrigo-6.5 (66 C. Suguino-5), D.M. Bueno-5.5, O. Anonam-6, L. Galea-6, J. Grioli-6.5.

Ħamrun Spartans
O. Borg-6, G. Calabretta-6, M. Gauci-6.5, N. Gacesca-6.5, R. Fenech-6 (20 L. Silva-7), R. Mangion-7.5, M. Grima-6.5, C. Polli-5.5, K. Sammut-6.5, G. Spiteri-5.5 (78 D. Camilleri), A. Ribeiro-6.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards: Spiteri; Calabretta; Everton; Cassar; Ribeiro; Sammut.

BOV player of the match: Rupert Mangion (Ħamrun Spartans).

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