Tarxien Rainbows 0
Vittoriosa Stars 3
Martin 18; Guerrero 73 pen; Pereira 76;

With the Relegation Pool fast appearing on the horizon, Tarxien Rainbows and Vittoriosa Stars headed into their clash yesterday eager to land an early psychological blow in what promises to be a bruising battle for survival.

Both sides were also determined to gather the three points to improve their position in the table and, with no fewer than six South American players on show, expectations of an absorbing clash were high.

Vittoriosa had two, Brazilian Marcelo Pereira and Colombian forward Oscar Guerrero, to Tarxien’s four but it was the Cottonera side’s imports who made the biggest impact as they inspired their team to an emphatic 3-0 victory.

In Pereira, Vittoriosa had the game’s outstanding player as he had a hand in all three goals, setting up the first, winning the penalty that led to the Stars’ second and scoring the third that wrapped up the victory.

While Pereira and Guerrero took centre-stage, their efforts were complemented by their hard-working team-mates with Sidibe Ousmane impressing at the back and Gilbert Martin combining pace and guile on the wing.

If Vittoriosa’s performance underlined their improvement under Oliver Spiteri, Tarxien’s capitulation only added to the sense of crisis enveloping the team who have now dropped to second bottom after their sixth match without a win.

William Barbosa was thrust straight into the thick of things after joining Tarxien last week.

The Brazilian, who looked rusty after a long period of inactivity, partnered Marko Potezica in central midfield as Clive Mizzi stuck with a 4-2-3-1 module.

A further tonic for Tarxien was provided by the return from suspension of Brazilian striker Ronaille and defender Steve Bonnici.

Portuguese midfielder Filipe Aguiar resumed his grafting duties in front of Vittoriosa’s defence after suspension had kept him out of the 1-0 loss to Naxxar Lions.

Spiteri also set his team out in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Pereira up front and the roving trio of Guerrero, Marcio Mitogo and Gilbert Martin probing for openings.

Vittoriosa looked to have a legitimate claim for a penalty early on when Bonnici appeared to trip Pereira in the box but referee Alan Mario Sant, who was close to the action, saw nothing wrong.

On another occasion, Guerrero’s cross landed in the path of Adam Spiteri but his grounder was wide.

Tarxien settled as the first half moved past the 10th minute mark.

Jorge surged clear before delivering a cross towards the far post where Ousmane headed the ball away from Ronaille.

When the stalemate was broken, it was Vittoriosa who drew first blood.

Pereira was the architect as he ran clear on the left, swept past Bonnici and guided a pass into the box where Martin hammered home.

Tarxien’s riposte saw Potezica running through but his weak shot was cleared away for a corner by Samir Arab. From the flag-kick, Barbosa’s header was stopped by Sean Cini.

Egged on by the industrious Potezica, Tarxien piled up the pressure. Ronaille headed wide from Karl Pulo’s delivery.

Yet, it was Vittoriosa who almost doubled their lead.

Bonnici was culpable as he made a hash of controlling a pass from goalkeeper Nicky Vella and Guerrero capitalised by dispossessing the Tarxien defender before squaring to Pereira whose point-blank effort was kept out by Vella and Bonnici cleared.

A surging run by Jorge had Vittoriosa on the ropes before Ousmane cleared the danger three minutes into the second half as Tarxien stormed into their opponents’ half.

Barbosa’s free-kick almost surprised Cini but the goalkeeper did well to repel the danger.

Jorge was causing all sorts of problems to the Vittoriosa defence with his speed and direct running.

When Vittoriosa’s Camilleri failed to head the ball, Jorge retrieved possession, embarking on another strong run but his pass was again blocked by the alert Ousmane.

At the other end, Pereira laid the ball back for Mitogo whose central shot was parried away by Vella.

Although the rate of scoring chances dropped, the game remained fiercely-contested.

Defender Josef Mifsud kept his side in the game when throwing his body in the way of Mitogo’s cross, but, on 73 minutes, Tarxien’s hopes suffered a setback.

Guerrero released Pereira but the Brazilian was nudged by Steve Sadowski as he was about to shoot. The referee pointed to the spot and Guerrero beat Vella with an emphatic finish.

Two soon became three. With 14 minutes remaining, Martin dazzled his way into the box before setting up Pereira who fired past Vella.

Tarxien looked shell-shocked.

Six minutes from time, the Stars threatened again when Pereira teed up Guerrero who volleyed wide from an angled position before Cini produced a smart save from Jorge’s shot.

Tarxien Rainbows
N. Vella-5, S. Sadowski-5.5, C. Mamo-5, M. Potezica-6.5 (64 M. Ciantar-5), Ronaille-4.5, W. Barbosa-5.5, C. Menendez Hevia-6, K. Pulo-6, J. Mifsud-6, S. Bonnici-5 (64 L. Martinelli-5), Jorge-6.5.

Vittoriosa Stars
S. Cini-6.5, S. Ousmane-7, F. Aguiar-6 (79 Siraj Arab), G. Martin-7 (83 R. Mifsud), Samir Arab-6.5, O. Guerrero-7, G. Mitogo-6 (75 F. Arriagada), L. Vella Critien-6, M. Pereira-8, A. Spiteri-6, M. Camilleri-6.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Yellow cards: Bonnici; Potezica; Aguiar.

BOV player of the match: Marcelo Pereira (Vittoriosa Stars).