Ħamrun Spartans 3
Shields 24; Ribeiro 36, 49;
Tarxien Rainbows 1
Costa 51 pen;
Ħamrun Spartans resisted a second-half fightback from Tarxien to secure a hard-fought victory and end a run of back-to back defeats which had intensified the pressure on Jesmond Zammit’s side ahead of this clash.
Yet the victory is a massive boost for the Spartans as it lifted them away from lower positions up to eighth place with 14 points.
Tarxien, on the other hand, are now bottom of the table and deep in trouble having set a new club record of four straight defeats in the Premier League.
The woeful form of both these sides heading into the game reflected in their coach’s bold decision to ring the changes.
Tarxien’s initial line-up showed five changes in the wake of the upset to Floriana. Steven Sadowski, Lee Galea and Julian Vella were roped into the starting formation.
Two of the alternations were forced upon Patrick Curmi by injury to Daniel Bueno and Stefan Giglio, while Adrian Carabott, Karl Pulo and Ryan Mintoff were among the substitutes. On the plus side, Curmi could call upon Brazilian duo Ricardo and Caio Suguino.
His counterpart, Zammit, made three changes with Kevin Sammut and Rupert Mangion drafted back in the starting XI after serving suspension while Steve Bonnici returned after nearly two months through injury.
The Rainbows opted for a 4-3-2-1 formation with Ricardo leading the line, Orosco Anonam and Caio deployed on the wings and Karl Sammut, Manuel Caruana and Vella pulling the strings in midfield.
Zammit adopted a more adventurous gameplan with Dene Shields partnering Anderson Ribeiro with Sammut playing off the strikers.
Both teams have greater potential than they have shown so far but it was clear to see why they have struggled. This was a game marred by little respect for possession, hesitant defending and wastefulness in the final third.
Ħamrun’s opening had been subdued as the Rainbows dominated possession. Tarxien had a penalty shout turned down when Nikica Gacesa appeared to foul Caio after 16 minutes.
Yet the Spartans asserted themselves quickly and finally got what they deserved in the 24th minute after a patient passing move that culminated in Shields slotting an angled shot into the corner. Ribeiro picked up the ball near the halfway line, driving into the area and dragged the ball for the Scotsman to tuck the ball in.
At this point, Curmi’s side ditched their conservative tactics but the wastefulness shown in the opening exchanges was nothing in comparison to that practised by Tarxien striker Caio after 28 minutes.
Ricardo left Matthew Gauci on his trail and got down to the by-line before dinking the ball into the area but his compatriot shot over with the goal at his mercy.
But Ħamrun, free from their chains, were now also able to play their game and doubled the lead in the 36th minute when Ribeiro curled in his shot into the far corner. The goal was created by Shields, who drifted inside and ran towards goal, before laying the ball off to his team-mate on the right. The Brazilian took one look at the goal before beautifully bending his shot just inside the Tarxien goal’s right-hand upright.
The Rainbows had a second appeal turned down in a frantic opening to the second half when Gacesca seemed to handle the ball as he tried to bring it down in the box following Ricardo’s cross.
But referee Paul Caruana insisted that no offence was committed.
This rejection would only prove more costly for Tarxien just few seconds later as Ħamrun swept down the other end and the towering figure of Ribeiro threw himself forward to head past David Cassar.
However, throughout the match, the Spartans had not suggested a clean-sheet was in the offing – and so it proved two minutes later when Ricardo’s run was halted by the shoulder of Gacesa in the box and it was third time lucky for the Rainbows as the referee finally pointed at the spot. The Brazilian picked himself up and fired the spot kick home.
On 81 minutes, Shields spurned a good opportunity when he fired wide from an inviting position.
Ħamrun Spartans: A. Cassar-6 G. Calabretta-5.5 (70 D. Zerafa; 80 C. Debattista), M. Gauci-5, N. Gacesa-4.5, D. Camilleri-6, D. Shields-7, S. Bonnici-6, C. Polli-6, A. Ribeiro-8.5 (90 R. Spiteri), K. Sammut-7.5, R. Mangion-6.
Tarxien Rainbows: D. Cassar-5, C. Sammut-6.5, Everton-5, R. Costa-7, O. Anonam-6, J. Grioli-6 (90 C. Fenech), S. Sadowski-5, C. Suguino-5, L. Galea-5, J. Vella-5.5 (78 L. Vella Critien), M. Caruana-5 (55 W. Zerafa-5).
Referee: Paul Caruana.
Yellow cards: Gacesa, Gauci, Ribeiro, Sammut.
BOV player of the match: Anderson Ribeiro (Ħamrun Spartans).
Attendance: 611.