Tarxien Rainbows 4
Mamo 19; Lucas 63; Bueno 79; Sammut 90og;
Qormi 0
Tarxien Rainbows took a significant step towards securing their Premier League status for another year as they brushed aside Qormi yesterday.
It was an impressive display from the Rainbows who completely outplayed a Qormi side that had shown great form in their recent matches.
In fact, Karel Zeman’s Qormi came into this match on the back of identical 5-1 victories over Naxxar Lions and Vittoriosa in the league. In midweek, they were unlucky to lose their FA Trophy semi-final to Sliema after a bright display.
However, Qormi will surely have no qualms about this outcome as Tarxien were superior in all departments and could have easily finished with a more pronounced victory had their forwards been sharper in front of goal.
Thanks to the three points won, the Rainbows are now in a strong position to avoid the drop as they moved top of the Relegation Pool on 21 points, seven ahead of second-from-bottom Vittoriosa Stars.
Qormi have more work to do to retain their status as they stay on the 17-point mark.
Clive Mizzi, the Tarxien coach, handed a first-team recall to Steve Bonnici who filled the void left by Fernando Lopez while the returning Luca Martinelli replaced Manuel Caruana who was serving a one-match ban.
Lucas was promoted to the starting formation at the expense of Miguel Ciantar who was included among the Tarxien substitutes.
Zeman effected two changes to the team that was edged by Sliema Wanderers 1-0 in the cup semi-final on Wednesday.
Jonathan Bondin was forced to sit out as he served a one-match ban. He was replaced by Roderick Sammut who partnered Giorgio Gianola at the heart of defence with Emerson Vella confirmed at left-back.
Roderick Bajada was handed a recall at the expense of Triston Caruana who had to settle for a place on the bench.
The match started on an even keel until the 14th minute when Qormi almost broke the deadlock.
Duncan Pisani embarked on a surging run on the right that took him past Carlo Mamo before pulling the ball back towards Alfred Effiong whose first-time effort finished just wide.
Tarxien responded in strong fashion as five minutes later they took the lead.
Daniel Mariano Bueno won a free-kick on the edge of the area and Mamo’s inswinger flew into the top corner of the net.
Qormi almost drew level two minutes later when Gabriel’s fine throughball sent Leighton Grech clear but the winger was foiled by keeper Nicky Vella.
On the half hour, Qormi threatened again when, from a Simone Quintieri free-kick, Gabriel’s header was pushed away by Vella.
Tarxien almost doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when, in a swift break, Jorge released Ryan Sammut whose shot was blocked by Matthew Farrugia.
In time added on the Rainbows had another golden opportunity.
Toure’s low cross reached the unmarked Jorge who failed to make contact in front of a gaping goal.
Tarxien remained the more enterprising side after the break. On 55 minutes, Jorge exposed Qormi’s poor marking when his cross found Toure but the latter fired over.
The Rainbows finally made their superiority count with a second goal on 63 minutes.
From another quick raid, Toure delivered an inviting ball across the face of goal where Lucas was on hand to bury home.
Qormi were demoralised and Toure set up Mamo whose fierce drive was parried away by Farrugia.
Tarxien made it 3-0 11 minutes from time as Bueno burst through into the box and beat Farrugia with a firm drive.
In time added on Karl Pulo, who had replaced Lucas, tried to release Toure in the box but in came defender Sammut who inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net to complete a miserable day for Zeman’s Qormi.
Tarxien Rainbows
N. Vella-6.5, C. Mamo-7, L. Martinelli-6 (68 M. Ciantar-6), Lucas-7 (89 K. Pulo), D. Toure-7.5, R. Sammut-6.5, C. Hevia-6.5, D.M. Bueno-7, J. Mifsud-6.5, S. Bonnici-6.5, Jorge-7.
Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, R. Sammut-5, E. Vella-5, G. Gianola-5, D. Pisani-5, S. Quintieri-5 (66 T. Caruana-5), R. Bajada-5, Gabriel-6, L. Grech-5 (85 D. Pirotta), A. Effiong-4.5, Jorginho-4.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.
Yellow cards: Gianola; Mifsud; Effiong; Martinelli; Mamo; Jorginho.
BOV player of the match: Demba Toure (Tarxien Rainbows).