FLORIANA-2, TARXIEN RAINBOWS-3
Tarxien Rainbows maintained their rise up the table after coming from behind to beat Floriana 3-2 in a highly entertaining match.
Despite missing five first-squad players, Tarxien found the strength and resilience to recover after twice falling behind in the first half before hitting the winner 17 minutes from time.
The win extended Tarxien's positive run to three games while Floriana went down to their second consecutive defeat, leaving new coach Stephen Azzopardi still searching for his firs victory.
Floriana enjoyed a great start. Three minutes from the start of the game had passed when Trevor Cilia's cross from the right was dropped by Tarxien goalkeeper Nicky Vella and Ryan Darmanin was on hand to fire the ball into the net.
Another Cilia cross from the right was met by Darmanin but his header was wide.
Tarxien equalised on 17 minutes. Evaldo's free-kick was parried away by Tony Warner but the ball fell to Karl Pulo who drove home from close range.
Following a short spell of Tarxien pressure, Floriana began to dominate. They regained the lead on 27 minutes when Varma's well-hit free-kick smacked against the post but the ball dropped to Jeffers who headed home for his first Floriana goal.
It was all Floriana now. Jeffers went close with a long-range shot which brought a good save from Nicky Vella, the Tarxien goalkeeper.
Floriana looked likely to increase their lead but it was Tarxien who equalised in a rare counter-attack. Pulo made headway on the left before passing to Danilo who hit home from close range.
At the start of the second half, Luiz Romulo De Castro replaced Carlo Mamo for Tarxien.
Four minutes after the restart, Cilia drifted to the centre from the left but his shot was blocked by Evaldo.
At the other end, De Castro picked out Pulo but the latter's effort was beaten away by Warner. Pulo then headed over from Danilo's cross.
With 17 minutes left, Tarxien moved 3-2 ahead. Orosco Anonam provided a through-ball to Danilo who drilled a low shot past Warner.
Danilo threatened again when he finished a solo run with a lob that ended high.
Floriana increased their pressure as the end of the game approached. Tyrone Farrugia tried his luck from the distance but his shot was pushed away for a corner by Vella.
Tarxien winger Pulo was voted BOV player of the match.