TARXIEN RAINBOWS-2, MARSAXLOKK-4
Marsaxlokk ended a run of five matches without a win after beating fellow strugglers Tarxien Rainbows 4-2 at the National Stadium today.
Obinna Obiefule was Marsaxlokk's hero as the Nigerian rounded a fine performance with two goals.
Daniel Mariano Bueno gave Tarxien a fourth-minute lead when a stunning shot that gave Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Reuben Gauci no chance.
Marsaxlokk looked stunned but they staged an instant reaction. Martin Deanov put the Blues back on level terms, the Bulgarian-born winger hitting the ball into an empty net after rounding goalkeeper David Cassar.
These early goals made for an action-packed opening. Marsaxlokk went ahead on 16 minutes from a penalty, awarded for Bueno's late tackle for the goalbound Obinna Obiefule. The Nigerian made no mistake from the spot.
Lifted by their spirited comeback, Marsaxlokk were now playing the better football. Tarxien goalkeeper Cassar fumbled Obiefule's dangerous cross-shot but the Tarxien defence cleared.
Tarxien rallied in the closing stages of the opening half. Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Gauci denied them an equaliser with a superb save from Bueno's dipping volley but the Brazilian was not to be denied.
Just two minutes later, Bueno scored another fine goal. Receiving a pass from the overlapping Justin Grioli, Bueno hit a powerful first-time drive that sailed into the top corner of the net.
The opening exchanges of the second half offered little excitement as the two teams struggled to create scoring chances. Marsaxlokk winger Emiliano Lattes tried his luck with a rising shot than flew high midway into the second half.
Tarxien came close through Julian Vella's whose well-hit free-kick was saved by Gauci but, with 14 minutes left, Marsaxlokk moved 3-2 up. Obiefule cut inside Steve Sadowski but his fierce shot was pushed way by Cassar. The loose ball dropped to Lattes who rifled the ball home.
The Rainbows should have equalised when Roberto Galvao pushed clear on the right and sent in a perfect pass to Ricardo Costa who flicked wide.
On the stroke of time, Marsaxlokk made the points safe, man-of-the-match Obiefule blasting home from close range after receiving from Lattes.