Tarxien Rainbows 1
Vallecillo 90;
Mosta 1
Matteus 31;
Newcomer Edu Vallecillo handed Tarxien Rainbows their first point in three matches after hitting a last-gasp equaliser in 1-1 draw with Mosta.
Perhaps, the problem with Tarxien was that they started to play 45 minutes late.
In fact, their first-half was the epitome of the ineptitude that has characterised the Rainbows’ season so far and it was only after the break that they threw caution to the wind to salvage a point.
By stark contrast, Mosta were the most enterprising team in the opening period but they were let down by a good dose of complacency after the break and paid dearly for their faults in the end.
Despite the result, it was crystal-clear that Tarxien must improve if they are to turn their fortunes around. The onus is now on the new Spanish trio to shine, run the extra mile and help the Rainbows in their hard toil against the dreaded drop. In reality, all three yesterday had a rather quiet afternoon.
Vallecillo, Jose Godar and Manuel Acevedo received Clive Mizzi’s nod to make their bow for Tarxien. Acevedo partnered Ryan Sammut in central defence, Godar manned the left-back and Vallecillo was deployed up front in a 4-4-1-1 set-up.
The two changes in Mosta’s initial formation were enforced on coach Peter Smith after injury to Mark Brincat and the suspension of Omar Borg.
Mosta skipper Tyrone Farrugia, back in business after his one match ban, replaced Brincat and Kyle Gerada was in goal in lieu of Borg.
The Blues were by far the busier team. However, Tarxien were almost on target in their first raid. Carlos Hevia pounced on a short clearance but his shot hit the crossbar.
The movement of former Valletta striker Ian Zammit helped Mosta to enjoy a positive spell midway through the first half.
On 27 minutes, he took a couple of steps forward before spotting Kurt Magro on the left and duly supplied him with an inviting pass. Magro prolonged the ball towards Matteus who headed goalwards but keeper Sean Min-toff saved with difficulty.
Mosta’s thoughtful attacking ensured they continued to hold the upperhand and it came as no surprise when they broke the deadlock past the half-hour mark.
Matteus eluded the Tarxien defence with some clever footwork and hit the back of the net with a powerful grounder.
With the elegant Zammit orchestrating proceedings from the middle, the Blues, persevered in driving forward after the break.
On 51 minutes, Mintoff went down to deny Matteus who have been sent through by Zammit.
Godar tried to revive Tarxien’s hopes when his fine shot on the turn caused some anxiety in the Mosta box before Gerada palmed the shot away. Moments later, the Spaniard tried his luck with a calibrated shot that finished just wide of Gerada’s goal.
Vallecillo was a picture of disbelief when his venomous drive from Firas Aboulezz’s corner was hooked off the line by Farrugia as Mosta looked happy to defend their slim lead.
Hevia then received a perfect cross from Aboulezz but his header finished over the bar.
Mosta seemed heading to a victory and three useful points that would have propelled them to the fifth position in the championship.
However, as the clock marked 90 minutes Hevia whipped in a cross from the right flank and Vallecillo headed past Gerada for Tarxien’s equaliser.
Tarxien Rainbows
S. Mintoff-6, M. Caruana-5, T. Caruana-5, F. Aboulezz-6, E. Vallecillo-6, R. Sammut-5, C. Hevia-7, J. Pereira-5.5, A. Cini-5, M. Tabone-5 (76 K. Farrugia), M. Acevedo-5.
Mosta
K. Gerada-6, R. Ekani-6, T. Farrugia-6, Y. Ossok-6, D. Falzon (25 K. Pulo-6), G. Roberts-6 (74 N. Milovanovic), R. Grech-6.5, K. Magro-6.5, I. Zammit-7 (82 J. Brincat), Matteus-7.5, Diogo-6.5.
Referee: Andre Arciola.
Yellow cards: Tabone, Vallecillo, Hevia, Farrugia.
BOV player of the match: Matteus (Mosta).