SLIEMA WANDERERS-3, TARXIEN RAINBOWS-3
Sliema Wanderers and Tarxien Rainbows took a point each after sharing six goals in an eventful match this evening.
The goal bonanza was not the only notable feature of this match as two players, Sliema defender Clifford Gatt Baldacchino and Tarxien’s Jorge, were dismissed by referee Adrian Azzopardi who also produced no fewer than eight cards.
Leading 3-2 before Jorge was sent off, Tarxien came close to spoiling Sliema’s unbeaten start but a late goal by Stanley Ohawuchi earned the Wanderers a deserved point.
It was Tarxien who opened the scoring after nine minutes.
They were awarded a free-kick outside the penalty area after Gatt Baldacchino tripped the advancing Jorge.
Jorge, a former Sliema player, swerved his free-kick past the wall and into the far corner of net.
Sliema took some time to find their feet but they improved as the first half progressed.
Mark Scerri had a weak shot blocked by Tarxien goalkeeper Nicky Vella who, minutes later, produced a better save to beat away Alex Muscat’s angled strike after the Sliema captain had exchanged passes with Abubakar Bello-Osagie.
The Wanderers levelled on 25 minutes. They were awarded a penalty after Tarxien’s Ronaille brought down John Mintoff in the box. Bello-Osagie beat Vella with a low shot.
Three minutes past the half-hour, Tarxien created a good move as Ciantar passed to Jorge who ran into the box but his effort was pushed away Bonello.
Sliema went ahead nine minutes from half-time.
Scerri’s intelligent pass reached Bello-Osagie who flicked the ball towards
Ohawuchi and the Nigerian hit past Vella from close range.
The Wanderers looked set to take control but their efforts were undone five minutes from half-time when they conceded a penalty after Gatt Baldacchino was ruled to have pulled down Ciantar in the box.
Gatt Baldacchino, who had already been booked, was sent off and Ronaille dispatched his penalty shot past Bonello.
Eight minutes into the second half, Tarxien goalkeeper Vella intercepted Ohawuchi’s run after Bello-Osagie had directed the ball towards his Nigerian compatriot.
Sliema were caught out at the back when, 13 minutes into the second half, Luca Martinelli supplied a perfect cross from the right and the unmarked Ronaille headed past Bonello.
Yet, as happened in the first half, the winning team suffered an unexpected blow as Tarxien had Jorge sent off after the Brazilian earned his second booking for simulation.
Sliema were now expected to increase their pressure in search of an equaliser. Muchardi swapped passes with Ohawuchi before running into the box but his close-range attempt was warded off by Vella.
Bello-Osagie then headed wide from Muchardi’s free-kick. Sliema made it 3-3 five minutes from time. Trevor Cilia, on as a substitute, swung in a fine cross from a corner and Ohawuchi headed home.
Bello-Osagie was named BOV player of the match.