TARXIEN 1 ZEBBUG 2
Żebbuġ Rangers today ended their long wait for a Premier League win.
Alfonso Greco’s troops collected an unlikely victory over Tarxien Rainbows with a last-gasp header from Yessous Camilleri in an encounter that had fortunes swinging at opposite ends before the balance finally swayed in the Rangers’ favour.
Twelve minutes into the game, Tarxien surprised the Rangers with an early goal courtesy of Carlos Hevia.
The midfielder demonstrated some excellent footwork as, having dispossessed Matthew Gauci just outside the box, unleashed a low shot into the corner to beat Fabricio Rapchan.
Tarxien’s enterprise contrasted with Żebbuġ’s caution, which was intended as a base for quick counter-attacks. However, the fare was largely unproductive as the target men at both ends were under tight supervision.
The Rainbows, largely through the industry of Havia, and better collective play kept the upper hand, and three minutes before the interval, Clebinho sensed a half a chance and his shot on the turn brought a finve save from Rapchan.
Żebbuġ could not have hoped for a better start to the second half as they equalised with their first decent attempt on goal. The Rangers won a corner, Muchiardi flicked the ball to Mamic who rose above his marker to head the ball home.
A measured pass by Mamic to substitute Miguel Ciantar, who had come on earlier for Melvin Farrugia brought a whiff of excitement after 69 minutes before the striker dragged his effort wide.
Six minutes later, Mintoff effected two great saves in quick succession to deny Britto from close-range. Few moments later, the Tarxien custodian emerged again the winner from what developed into a personal duel with the striker as he pawed the ball away for a corner from Brazilian’s diagonal shot.
Seven minutes from time, Britto looked out of sorts for Rangers as he wasted a good opportunity, shooting over the bar from the edge of the box.
With the match moving into added time, Żebbuġ stole the winner as lanky defender Camilleri freed himself in the penalty area and sealed his side's victory with a header from Muchiardi’s free-kick.