Tarxien Rainbows 1
Azzopardi 64;
St Andrew’s 0
Ayrton Azzopardi delivered the box-office moment of this generally low-key match as his perfectly-struck free-kick earned Tarxien a slender win over St Andrew’s.
The Rainbows deserved the three points as they were by far the more adventurous side but their efforts foundered on the agile figure of St Andrew’s goalkeeper Kris Calleja who belied his lack of height with a man-of-the-match performance.
Calleja pulled off a series of fine interventions but his efforts were not enough to prevent a ninth consecutive defeat for the Saints.
Tarxien coach Jacques Scerri made no fewer than five changes from the 2-1 defeat of Pembroke.
Goalkeeper Sean Mintoff, Brandon Muscat, Luke Montebello, Carlos Hevia and Alex Alves, the latter two back from suspension, were handed starting roles. Defender Daniel Zerafa was out, injured.
St Andrew’s coach Wayne Attard picked the same team that started the 2-0 defeat to Balzan with Italian duo Chris De Nguidjol and de-fender Mariglen Sehitaj, and English left-back Jordan Williams, who has a Maltese grandmother, the only foreigners in the initial XI.
Inside the opening three minutes, Calleja was quick off his line to close down Pedro after Lucky Omeruo’s cross rolled past a host of hesitant defenders.
The early exchanges belonged to Tarxien. Close to the 20th minute mark, Azzopardi dashed towards the byline before cutting back but his piledriver was off target.
The game was desperately short on intensity as St Andrew’s showed little inclination to venture out of their defensive shell.
However, the Saints had a great chance to put their noses in front when Joseph Farrugia’s corner soared into the box but Michael Johnson headed wide.
As the first half wore on, St Andrew’s began to show more attacking ambition thanks to the runs of Matthew Guillaumier and Dale Camilleri from midfield.
Calleja did well to keep out Pedro’s inswinger. There was an even better chance for Montebello who skied his shot from point blank after receiving from Alves.
Tarxien would have seized the lead on the cusp of half-time but for another fine save from Calleja. Pedro’s free-kick was headed on by Ebiabowei Baker towards Montebello who was unmarked but his close-range effort was repelled by the alert Calleja.
Early in the second half, Tarxien’s Mintoff stopped De Nguidjol’s header from Farrugia’s free-kick, and, at the other end, Calleja again thwarted Montebello after the latter was put through by Azzopardi.
Tarxien broke the deadlock on 64 minutes. Sehitaj gave away a free-kick after bringing down Alves just outside the box and Azzopardi lifted his shot over the defensive wall and past Calleja.
There was a scare for Tarxien when Williams’s set-piece cross arced towards the six-yard box but the defenders cleared.
A swift one-two between Azzo-pardi and Alves sent the latter clear but his angled drive was parried away by Calleja.
It was only in the last 10 minutes that the game opened up as the Saints pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Farrugia’s free-kick was deflected towards substitute Matteo Desira Buttigieg but out came Mintoff to subdue the danger.
In stoppage time, Tarxien were unlucky not to extend their lead as Omeruo’s shot crashed against the underside of the post.
Tarxien Rainbows
S. Mintoff-6, E. Baker-6, Oliveira-6, T. Caruana-6.5, B. Muscat-6, A. Azzopardi-6.5 (82 T. Tabone Desira), L. Omeruo-6, C. Hevia-5.5, L. Montebello-5 (67 Danilo-5.5), A. Alves-7, Pedro-6 (75 R. Bajada).
St Andrew’s
K. Calleja-7.5, C. Cumbo-6, J. Williams-6, M. Sehitaj-5.5, M. Johnson-6, D. Camilleri-6.5, L. Grech-5.5 (66 M. Grima-5), M. Guillaumier-6.5, J. Farrugia-6, K. Nwoko-6, C. De Nguidjol-5 (58 M.D. Buttigieg-5.5).
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Yellow cards: Oliveira; Sehitaj; Cumbo.
BOV player of the match: Kris Calleja (St Andrew’s).