TARXIEN RAINBOWS-2, BALZAN-1
Daniel Mariano Bueno scored a last-gasp goal to give Tarxien Rainbows their first victory at the expense of Balzan Youths in today's first game at the National Stadium.
In an entertaining game, Tarxien and Balzan matched each other but, after cancelling out Pedrinho's opener, the Rainbows took the three points thanks to Bueno's late strike.
After nine minutes, Balzan's Brazilian forward Elton Da Silva ran clear on the right before crossing for Pedrinho who sent his shot over the bar.
A header by Yessous Camilleri, from Pedrinho's corner, was cleared by the Tarxien defenders as Balzan started to push forward. Their improvement produced an opener as, on 12 minutes, Pedrinho's curling free-kick surprised David Cassar, the ball flying between the Tarxien goalkeeper and the near post.
Tarxien staged an immediate reaction. They came close to an equaliser on 21 minutes when Roderick Bajada, advancing on the right, crossed for Andre Reinaldo who lofted the ball into the box but Evaldo's glancing header grazed the crossbar.
Matthew Camilleri, the Balzan goalkeeper, did well to fist Danilo's long-range effort away for a corner after Tarxien had charged forward on the counter.
The Rainbows would have levelled on 28 minutes but for an excellent save from Camilleri who dived to his right to repel Daniel Mariano Bueno's strong header from Reinaldo's corner.
Tarxien piled the pressure on Balzan. With eight minutes of the first half remaining, Tarxien made it 1-1 as Evaldo's long-range free-kick caught Camilleri unawares as the Balzan goalkeeper who dived late.
Evaldo threatened again four minutes from half-time but this time the Brazilian's swerving free-kick was beaten away by Camilleri.
At the other end, Pedrinho's cross from a right-wing free-kick was headed by Stefan Giglio but Cassar nudged the ball over the bar.
Elton had a good chance to put Balzan ahead early in the second half but fired wide after receiving from Pedrinho. This came on 56 minutes.
Tarxien were also dangerous when Reinaldo's free-kick from the right caused a melee in the Balzan box but Danilo's effort brought another fine save from Camilleri.
After a quiet start to the second half, the game grew more intense. Cassar was prominent when palming Pedrinho's free-kick over the bar. From the ensuing corner, taken by Pedrinho, Caruana's header was punched away by Cassar.
A fierce shot from Renato Conceicao ended wide. Camilleri stole the show again with another fine save to push away Danilo's thunderbolt.
The deluge of attacks continued, Cassar blocking another Pedrinho free-kick and Conceicao hitting the woodwork with a first-time drive.
The Rainbows were again thwarted by Camilleri who pulled off another vital save from David Fenech's piledriver after the latter had received from Roderick Bajada.
But, Balzan were punished at the death, Bueno flicking the ball home at the far post after connecting with a cross by Danilo.
Pedrinho, the Balzan forward, was named BOV player of the match.