Marsaxlokk 0
Tarxien Rainbows 2

A relegation dogfight? This was more of a stroll as Tarxien Rainbows eased past the out-of-sorts Marsaxlokk to get back to winning ways after their reverse to Ħamrun.

Bottom of the table, Marsaxlokk needed something of a miracle to survive and their cause became virtually impossible after they were docked three points for failing to settle outstanding payments to former coach Patrick Curmi and ex-players Peter Pullicino and Glenn Zammit.

This decision removed the competitive edge from this Relegation Pool clash as Marsaxlokk took to the pitch in a subdued mood, making things easier for Tarxien.

The only surprise was Tarxien’s failure to run up a bigger score but, for all their dominance, the Rainbows lacked a cutting edge.

Manuel Caruana and Congo-born striker Jimmy Mayasi were preferred to Ryan Mintoff and Ricardo Costa respectively as Curmi made two alterations to the team that went down 2-1 to the Spartans.

Marsaxlokk coach Anton Cremona also effected two changes from the 5-1 loss to Mosta, Sunday Eboh and Jonathan Xerri replacing Gabriel Buttigieg and Gary Caruana respectively.

Tarxien had Marsaxlokk on the backfoot from the outset but they had to wait until the 16th minute to fashion their first scoring opportunity. Mayasi broke clear on the right before crossing towards the far post where Adrian Carabott scuffed his shot wide.

Mayasi played off striker Daniel Mariano Bueno as Curmi set up his team in 4-2-3-1.

The Rainbows’ brisker start produced a breakthrough on 19 minutes. Carabott guided a through-ball to Mayasi who ran unimpeded into the box before passing to Karl Pulo who poked home.

Marsaxlokk were reduced to chasing shadows in the opening 25 minutes but they nearly equalised in their first raid on Tarxien’s defence. Jean Paul Farrugia displayed some deft footwork to progress on the right before putting in a teasing cross that was narrowly missed by Nigerian striker Peter Oladotun who partnered Alex Cesar Pedrozo.

The mooted atmosphere in the stands was hardly conducive to exciting fare on the field of play.

Tarxien retained the initiative. Having headed Carlo Mamo’s cross over the bar, Bueno should have scored when Carabott’s pass found him in space inside the Marsaxlokk box but the Brazilian’s shot-on-the-turn rolled wide of the far post.

Two minutes into the second half, Tarxien should have made the points safe when Bueno, profiting from a deflection, released Luiz Romulo De Castro but the Brazilian fired wide.

Anonam then headed high from De Castro’s corner as the Rainbows continued where they left off before the half-time break.

Another cohesive Tarxien move, started by Bueno, saw Carabott switch the ball to Pulo but the latter’s diagonal drive flashed wide.

Marsaxlokk temporarily broke Tarxien’s dominance when Modesto Valeriani’s corner fell to Trevor Templeman whose looping effort was easily saved by the hitherto untested Nicky Vella.

Cremona was forced into his first substitution after 62 minutes as Eboh was unable to continue following a clash of heads with Mayasi. Caruana came on for the Nigerian-born midfielder who was taken to hospital for further tests.

Tarxien had the ball in the net when Bueno flicked home from Mayasi’s deflected pass but his effort was ruled out for offside.

With 19 minutes remaining, Marsaxlokk’s woes deepened as Jonathan Xerri was shown a straight red card after blocking Anonam’s goalbound header with his hands. Referee Malcolm Spiteri ordered a penalty and Ricardo Costa, who had just replaced Mayasi, drilled home from the spot.

Two goals and a man to the good, Tarxien were home and dry. They came close to a third goal when Carabott released Bueno but the latter’s chip was touched away for a corner by Christian Cassar.

The woodwork then denied Bueno a goal as his piledriver cannoned off the post.

Marsaxlokk
C. Cassar-5.5, M. Valeriani-6 (87 L. Agius), S. Borg-4, J. Brincat-4, C. Brincat-4, S. Eboh-5.5 (62 G. Caruana-4), J. Xerri, J.P. Farrugia-6, P. Oladotun-4 (79 D. Attard), T. Templeman-5, A.C. Pedrozo-5.

Tarxien Rainbows
N. Vella-6, C. Mamo-6, M. Caruana-5, Everton-6, A. Carabott-7, J. Mayasi-6 (71 R. Costa-6), K. Pulo-6 (83 J. Vella), D.M. Bueno-6.5, L.R. De Castro-6.5, O. Anonam-6.5, J. Grioli-5.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Yellow cards: Anonam; Eboh; Valeriani; Caruana.

Red card: Xerri (M) 72.

BOV player of the match: Adrian Carabott (Tarxien).

Playing today
Hibs Stadium: 6 p.m. Ħamrun Spartans vs Mqabba; 8 p.m. Qormi vs Mosta.

Standings

Note: Marsaxlokk deducted three points