Tarxien’s Brandon Muscat (left) is closely marked by Mark Scerri, of Sliema. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Tarxien Rainbows 3
Scerri 7 og; Pedro 18; Azzopardi 59;
Sliema Wanderers 2
Muir 55; Muscat 58 pen;

Sliema Wanderers’ travails show no signs of abating.

Down to eighth place with 14 points from 11 games, the beleaguered Blues were desperate for victory when they met the improved Tarxien yesterday to revive their bid for European football but a dismal start and bad luck sent them reeling to another defeat.

A generally low-quality game produced some bizarre moments, two fine strikes and a red card with Tarxien holding on to their lead to move further up the table despite playing the last 30 minutes with 10 men.

This was anything but an impressive performance from Tarxien who had been lucky to surge into a two-goal lead courtesy of two deflections before conceding twice in the early stages of the second half as Sliema fought back but Ebiabowei Baker’s dismissal proved a blessing in disguise for the Rainbows.

They regained their focus and closed ranks to keep their opponents at bay after Ayrton Azzopardi had put them 3-2 ahead with a delightful corner as, for the umpteenth time, Sliema were left to rue their ill-luck and momentary lapses in concentration.

Mark Scerri and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino were back for Sliema, replacing the suspended Pedrinho and Luke Dimech. Midfielder Johann Bezzina was left out of the first XI as coach Stephen Azzopardi handed a starting berth to young Peter Xuereb who flanked Scerri in the centre.

Up front, Michael Mifsud, recalled to fill the void left by the injured Rafael Ledesma, took up the lone striker’s role in Sliema’s 4-3-2-1 formation.

Tarxien mirrored the Wanderers tactically with Luke Montebello leading the line and Anderson, Joao Pedro and Azzopardi detailed to link midfield and attack.

Kerlon went close after four minutes but his free-kick was beaten away by Andrea Cassar, the Tarxien goalkeeper.

In their first notable foray into Sliema’s half, Tarxien struck. Theirs was a fortuitous goal as Montebello charged across the byline and into the box before hitting a low cross but Scerri’s rash attempt to clear sent the ball soaring into his own net for a spectacular own goal.

Sliema’s evening went from bad to worse when Tarxien extended their lead on 17 minutes thanks to Pedro whose low free-kick rolled past Glenn Zammit who was wrong-footed by a deflection.

Montebello then headed over from Brandon Muscat’s cross as Sliema looked shell-shocked.

Tarxien’s two goals, both coming via a deflection, were the only highlights of the opening 30 minutes as the early exchanges were devoid of excitement.

Kerlon was wide with another free-kick, the closest the stuttering Blues came to pulling a goal back.

As the minutes ticked away, Sliema gained a modicum of control, mainly thanks to Alex Muscat’s incursions from the right.

Late in the first half, Muscat’s surging run took him into the box but his drive was repelled by Cassar.

Sliema needed a goal to resuscitate their hopes and this duly arrived 10 minutes into the second half. Kerlon’s twisting run was halted by Carlos Hevia Menendez and from the ensuing free-kick, Gary Muir mustered a superb drive that gave Cassar no chance.

The force was with Sliema now. Less than two minutes later, the revitalised Blues were awarded a penalty after Alex Alves brought down Aidan Friggieri in the box. Muscat sent Cassar the wrong way to equalise for Sliema.

The flurry of goals continued. The erstwhile subdued Tarxien put their noses in front as Azzopardi’s swinging corner drifted past a host of players as it nestled into the net.

But, Tarxien’s delight didn’t last long as, on the hour, Baker was shown a straight red card for a crude tackle on Kerlon.

Scerri took off striker Montebello and brought on defender Daniel Zerafa while for Sliema, Bezzina came on for the injured Muscat.

Sliema were now expected to increase their tempo and make their numerical advantage count but, for all their possession, they struggled to make inroads in attack.

With six minutes remaining, the Blues had a legitimate claim for a penalty after Muscat appeared to shove substitute Kyle Hendry in the box but referee Adrian Azzopardi was unmoved.

When Hendry was again hauled down by Muscat, Sliema were awarded a free-kick just outside the box but Kerlon’s free-kick was deflected onto the side-netting.

Tarxien Rainbows: A. Cassar-5.5, E. Baker, Bruno-6, T. Caruana-6 (84 M. Caruana), B. Muscat-6, A. Azzopardi-6.5 (90 Danilo), C. Menendez Hevia-6.5, L. Montebello-5.5 (67 D. Zerafa-6), Alex Alves-5, Joao Pedro-6, Anderson-5.

Sliema Wanderers: G. Zammit-4, A. Muscat-6 (67 J. Bezzina), B. Essel-4, M. Scerri-5.5, M. Mifsud-5 (76 K. Hendry), C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, P. Xuereb-5 (79 M. Potezica), A. Friggieri-6, Kerlon-6.5, G. Muir-6, S. Bianciardi-6.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Muir; Hevia; Scerri; B. Muscat; Bruno.

Red card: Baker (TR) 61.

BOV player of the match: Ayrton Azzopardi (Tarxien).