Marsaxlokk 2
Templeman 48 pen; Pedrozo 68;
Tarxien Rainbows 2
Pulo 7; Mayasi 45;
Marsaxlokk produced a brilliant second-half performance to wipe out a two-goal deficit against fellow strugglers Tarxien Rainbows as their new foreigners could prove a crucial factor in the southerners’ continued fight for Premier League survival.
The draw, however, left Anton Cremona’s men still looking for their first league win in 10 games.
The presence of substitute Peter Taiye Oladotun, Alex Cesar Pedrozo and Nemanja Stoskovic in the second half, made all the difference in a tight clash.
Tarxien’s better ideas illuminated the first half but they faded in the second. It took the Rainbows just seven minutes to gain reward for their better start. Ricardo Costa was allowed time and space on the left to pick out Karl Pulo who headed past Christian Cassar.
Tarxien were willing to capitalise on Marsaxlokk’s frail confidence as they almost doubled their lead after 15 minutes. Lee Galea’s cross-cum-shot from the left flew past Cassar but cannoned off the bar. The rebound fell kindly to Jimmy Mayasi, who wasted a good opportunity with a weak finish.
After a passage of scrappy play, Tarxien threatened again seven minutes from half-time. Pulo broke clear from midfield before passing to Justin Grioli on the right after a clever support run but the latter’s well-struck effort produced a finger-tip save from Cassar.
It took Marsaxlokk until the 45th minute to mount a coherent attack and that finished with Jean Paul Farrugia shooting feebly into the hands of Nicky Vella. By that stage, the Rainbows had gone two goals up.
Just before half-time, Ricardo slipped a perfect through ball to Congo-born striker Mayasi who ran clear of Jermain Brincat to score with a low shot into the corner.
In Cremona’s defence, it should be said that his defensive options were limited as Modesto Valeriani was out suspended and Jonathan Xerri was sidelined with injury.
Whatever the Marsaxlokk boss said to his players during the half-time talk, it worked wonders. Galea clumsily tripped Stoskovic in the box after 48 minutes. Trevor Templeman sent Vella the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Cremona moved to strengthen his attack, introducing Oladotun for Jermain Brincat and with Gary Caruana shifted to the left, his players threw themselves forward.
In the 53rd minute, Farrugia threaded a brilliant pass to Oladotun but the Nigerian side-footed the ball straight into Vella’s hands.
Marsaxlokk’s second-half performance was in complete contrast with their dreadful first-half showing. Their efforts were rewarded after 68 minutes. Oladotun’s pass set up Pedrozo who raced past Everton before beating Vella with ease.
Ten minutes later, Farrugia ran free again in the area to set up Pedrozo but Vella reacted quickly, forcing the Brazilian to make an instant decision as he shot straight into the onrushing goalkeeper.
Tarxien, for whom striker Daniel Mariano Bueno made his comeback from injury in the second half, finished the match with 10 men after Grioli was sent off for kicking Caruana late on.
Marsaxlokk
C. Cassar-6, P. Borg-5.5, J. Brincat-5 (46 P. Oladotun-7), C. Brincat-6, K. Polidano (23 C. Debattista-5), T. Templeman-6.5, N. Stoskovic-6.5, J.P. Farrugia-6.5, G. Caruana-6, I. Kurtusic-6, A. Pedrozo-7.
Tarxien Rainbows
N. Vella-6, C. Mamo-5, Everton-5.5, A. Carabott-5 (69 D.M. Bueno-5), Ricardo-7.5, J. Mayasi-6, K. Pulo-6 (88 W. Zerafa), O. Anonam-5, R. Mintoff-5, L. Galea-5 (57 J.Vella-5), J. Grioli-5.
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Yellow cards: Anonam; Mamo; Kurtusic; Oladotun.
Red card: Grioli (T) 89.
BOV player of the match: Ricardo Costa (Tarxien).