Qormi striker Alfred Effiong (left) battles for the ball with Ishmael Grech. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Tarxien Rainbows 2
Hevia 20, Tabone 82;
Qormi 1
Effiong 14;

Down to ten men for the last 30 minutes Tarxien Rainbows dug in to edge Qormi 2-1 yesterday.

The dismissal of Tarxien midfielder Carlos Hevia inevitably saw Qormi surge forward but Tarxien, driven on by Edu Vallecillo, drew on their resilience to weather their opponents’ pressure and grab the winner to net three priceless points that lifted them away from the relegation zone.

For Qormi, this was their sixth successive defeat and will further crank up the pressure on the Yellow Blacks who are now third from bottom on 17 points.

Tarxien’s latest recruits, striker Obinna Darlington and defender Ishmael Grech were named in Clive Mizzi’s starting line-up. Goalkeeper Jonathan Debono started in goal ahead of Sean Mintoff.

The only new name on Qormi’s team-sheet yesterday was Swedish defender Billy Berntsson who formed a central defensive partnership with Mauricio Mazzetti Latini.

Leighton Grech, back in Qormi’s fold after a brief spell with Birkirkara, endeavoured to exploit his speed and agility on the right flank.

Qormi enjoyed a flying start.

The clock marked 14 minutes when Joseph Chetcuti, pushing through the middle, delivered a through pass to the advancing Alfred Effiong who outwitted two Tarxien defenders to create space for himself before hitting a low shot past Debono.

Qormi’s lead was shortlived though as Tarxien jolted their opponents with an instant equaliser.

Hevia exchanged quick passes with Darlington as he sped into the box before he showed excellent poise to unleash a stunning shot that nestled into the top corner.

Tarxien seized the initiative at this stage and Firas Aboulezz threatened to leave his mark on the game when with 32 minutes gone, he swept past Clifford Gauci but drove the ball just over the bar.

On the restart, the match remained on an even keel. But on the hour mark, the Rainbows suffered a major setback when assistant referee Chris Francalanza raised his flag to signal an infringement.

Referee Adrian Azzopardi dismissed Hevia after the nippy midfielder clashed with an opponent inside the Qormi box.

The reaction of Qormi coach Josef Mansueto was to bring in Ryan Micallef for Grech. The introduction of the former Rabat striker prompted an improved display from the Qormi forwards, especially Frank Temile and Chetcuti.

After 76 minutes, Mazzetti’s teasing free-kick whizzed past a posse of red-shirted players but Debono did well to block his effort.

Two minutes later, Chetcuti did well to cut inside through the middle before striking a powerful shot that crashed against the woodwork.

Moments later, Berntsson’s raking shot-cum-cross flashed across the face of goal as Qormi brought some much-needed intensity to the proceedings.

However, Qormi’s inability to take their scoring opportunities again came to haunt them as eight minutes from time Tarxien struck the winner.

In a quick break, Triston Caruana sped clear and fed Vallecillo on the left. The Spanish forward quickly sent a dipping cross towards substitute Matthew Tabone who timed his run to perfection and head the ball home.

With just under 10 minutes left Qormi threw more men forward in search of an equaliser.

The Yellow Blacks almost saved a point at the death when Debono produced a fine save to keep out Effiong’s stinging drive as Tarxien held on for a crucial victory.

Tarxien Rainbows
J. Debono-6.5, M. Caruana-6, T. Caruana-6, F. Aboulezz-5.5 (65 M. Tabone-7), E. Vallecillo-7.5 (90 K. Farrugia), C. Hevia, J. Pereira-6, A. Cini-6, I. Grech-6.5, O. Darlington-6 (84 R. Sammut), M. Acevedo-6.

Qormi
M. Farrugia-6, M. Mazzetti-6 (89 Marcelinho), J. Chetcuti-6.5 (87 S. Agius), A. Effiong-5, C. Gauci-5.5, F. Temile-6, Z. Levnaic-5.5, D. Pisani-5.5, J. Bondin-5, B. Berntsson-5, L. Grech-5 (70 R. Micallef-5).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Grech, Cini, Pisani, Hevia, Bondin, M. Caruana, Vallecillo, Tabone, T. Caruana.

Red card: Hevia (T) 60.

BOV player of the match: Edu Vallecillo (Tarxien).

Standings