[attach id=235593 size="large"]Tarxien striker Leandro is closely marked by
Hibs defender Adrian Pulis. Photo: Chris Sant
Fournier[/attach]

Hibernians 0
Tarxien Rainbows 0

Hibernians missed out on the chance to secure top spot at the end of the first phase after last night they were held to a goalless draw by neighbouring rivals Tarxien.

A victory against the Rainbows would have confirmed the Paolities’ leadership at the start of the Championship Pool but now they will be anxious spectators at tomorrow’s derby between Valletta and Floriana where a win for the Citizens would see them clinch top spot.

With their morale sky-high after their defeat to Floriana was overturned by the MFA Protest Board and lifted them to the top of the standings, Hibs were adamant to finish the first round ahead of their rivals but they found a revitalised Tarxien which lived up to their hard-to-beat tag as they frustrated the Paolites with their diligent approach.

There were three changes in the Hibs line-up as suspension deprived Michael Woods of first-choice players Zoran Levnaic and Clayton Failla while Rodolfo Soares missed out with an abdominal injury. Johann Bezzina, Adrian Pulis and Jonathan Pearson deputised for the absent trio.

Steven Bonnici, Andrezinho and Roderick Bajada were restored to Tarxien’s starting formation as Clive Mizzi made three alterations to team that beat Rabat last Sunday.

It was the Rainbows who seized control early on with Andrezinho having a goal ruled out after six minutes.

The Paolites started without their first-choice central defensive partnership of Levnaic and Soares, and the makeshift pairing of Pearson and Pulis were badly exposed by the speedy Daniel Mariano Bueno.

Just past the quarter-of-hour mark Bueno picked up possession near the D and then, as the Paolites defence converged on him, he showed extraordinary skill and poise as he raced past Camilleri but Muscat produced an excellent one-handed save to palm away his effort.

During that spell Hibs briefly threatened as Jackson Lima hit a swerving shot that flew onto the side-netting.

The exchanges remained brisk as both teams displayed a refreshing desire to attack. After 34 minutes, Jean Paul Farrugia’s flick from a goalmouth melee was easily saved by David Cassar.

While Tarxien were the quickest out of the blocks at the start of the game, it was Hibs who enjoyed a much better start in the second period. Lima went through but his stinging drive drifted across the face of goal and finished just wide.

Yet, Tarxien’s precise passes to the wings coupled with the speed of their wide players – Bueno and Andrezinho – was still causing Hibernians trouble. On 53 minutes, Muscat did well to tip away Leandro’s drive.

Four minutes later, collecting possession in his own half, Ryan Camilleri strode forward before passing to Andrew Cohen. Rather than going back to his defensive station, Camilleri surged into the area to receive Cohen’s pass but his effort was palmed away by Cassar.

The Paolites were suddenly on top as they directed an almost onslaught on the Tarxien goal.

Farrugia was left with his head in his hands after he spurned an excellent chance to seize the lead when he fired wide after 62 minutes.

Moments later, Lima raced impeded but his finish was fractionally off target.

Urged on by their unflappable Cohen, Hibs intensified their efforts. Seven minutes from time, Farrugia’s looping effort from a wide position flew dangerously towards the Tarxien goal but Cassar tipped the ball away for a corner.

In a rare counter-attack, Andrezinho threatened to apply the killer touch but his free-kick from just outside the box finished just over the bar, two minutes from time.

Undaunted, Hibernians quickly regained the initiative. Lima came close but his goalbound shot finished off the target.

As the referee blew the final whistle, tempers frayed on the stands as the two set of supporters directed taunts against each other but the police quickly intervened to restore order.

Hibernians
M. Muscat-6.5, A. Pulis-5, R. Camilleri-6, J. Pearson-5, J. Lima-7, A. Cohen-6.5, B. Kristensten-5, J. Bezzina-5, S. Chircop-5, M. Dias-6 (54 A. Azzopardi-5), J.P. Farrugia-6.

Tarxien Rainbows
D. Cassar-6, C. Mamo-5, M. Caruana-5, M. Lopes Silva-5 (60 M. Tanti-4), Andrezinho-6, R. Bajada-6 (90 A. Aguis), Leandro-6, J. Grioli-5, R. Sammut-5 D. M. Bueno-7, S. Bonnici-5.5.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Caruana Sammut; Mamo.

Attendance: 443.

BOV player of the match: Daniel Mariano Bueno (Tarxien Rainbows).

Standings