Mosta 0 Tarxien Rainbows 3

Tarxien returned to winning ways in convincing fashion after they swept past the challenge of Mosta in a one-sided encounter.

Daniel Mariano Bueno was the catalyst of Tarxien’s success as his hat-trick earned his team their first points in the championship pool.

Tarxien threatened to open the scoring after three minutes when Bueno’s inswinging cross-cum-shot soared into the penlty area with Fernando Apap coming to his side’s rescue clearing the danger.

There was no reprieve for Mosta after 34 minutes, when latching onto a long ball forward, Bueno chipped Tyrone Farrugia and then held off the opposition of Manu Micallef before guiding a diagonal shot past Jeffrey Farrugia via the foot of the post.

Tarxien didn’t have to wait long for their second. Tanti laid the groundwork as his long pass from midfield bypassed a host of Mosta players and landed into the path of Bueno who ran forward before hitting a grounder into the far post of Farrugia’s goal.

Bueno completed his hat-trick after 80 minutes when he was first to substitute David Fenech’s curling free-kick and his glancing header flew behind Farrugia to the delight of the Tarxien fans.

Bajada should have reduced the deficit for Mosta a minute from time when he powered his way through the Tarxien defence but his cute lob over onrushing Vella finishing on the top of the net.