Tarxien Rainbows 0
Gudja United 3
Carabott 40, 45, 61;
Heartened by Melita’s deserved win over Naxxar Lions, Gudja United struck another blow for Division One teams after claiming the scalp of Premier League side Tarxien Rainbows yesterday.
Adrian Carabott stole the show for Gudja as the nimble forward scored a hat-trick to consign Tarxien, his former team, to another dispiriting defeat.
While Gudja deservedly earned the plaudits for their enterprising performance, Tarxien caught the eye for the wrong reasons as their tame, indifferent showing only served to highlight their dismal form.
The January transfer window can’t come soon enough for the beleaguered Rainbows who have already parted ways with Brazilian striker Wesley Pipico.
Alvaro and Alessandro Lopes had been restored to Tarxien’s starting XI after the Brazilians were rested in the 6-0 defeat to Valletta last Saturday but they failed to spark their team into life.
Jorge was missing through injury.
Mizzi opted for 4-4-2 with Alvaro partnering Clebinho in attack. The latter tested waters early on but his shot from outside the box was wide.
The Brazilian was at it again moments later but his effort was deflected away for a corner.
At the other end, Angelo Catania, the attacking fulcrum in Gudja’s 4-1-4-1 formation, unleashed a powerful shot that sailed just over .
There was little between the two teams in the first half-hour as Gudja were proving more than a match for Tarxien.
The Rainbows created their first notable chance on 31 minutes when Clebinho’s dipping cross, from a free-kick, was headed backwards by Alessandro but Matthew Xerxen, the Gudja goalkeeper, managed to repel the ball.
Five minutes from half-time, Gudja drew first blood.
Mauro Brincat’s set-piece cross, from a right-wing free-kick, unpicked the Tarxien defence as Udo Nwoko headed the ball into the goalmouth and Carabott flicked the ball past Jonathan Debono.
Hevia should have equalised but blasted over after the Spaniard pounced on Xerxen’s short clearance. The Gudja keeper then blocked Alessandro’s header but, from the following attack, Gudja doubled their lead.
It was Carabott again who tormented his former team as the nippy striker picked up the ball in Tarxien’s half, skipped past two defenders and let fly a rising shot that soared above Debono after taking a deflection.
Two goals down and lacking spark in the opening half, Tarxien clearly needed to step up their efforts if they were to avoid a humiliating defeat.
Xerxen did well to intercept Clebinho who had been sent clear by Hevia.
At the other end, Debono came to Tarxien’s rescue, pushing away Carabott’s effort.
Debono was prominent with a superb save to keep out Brincat’s curling free-kick as Gudja continued to cause Tarxien problems.
Tarxien also made a chance of their own when Hevia’s cross dropped to Alex Cini in the box but his grounder was blocked by Xerxen.
They were made to pay for this miss as on 61 minutes, Carabott completed his hat-trick after getting on the end of Peter Paul Sammut’s cross as the Tarxien defence was again caught off balance.
Alvaro was unlucky not to reduce the arrears for Tarxien as his effort grazed the far post.
Four minutes from time, the woodwork denied Tarxien a consolation goal as Cini’s strike flashed against the base of the far post.
In stoppage time, Triston Caruana missed a great chance, hitting wide in front of a gaping goal.
Tarxien: J. Debono, K. Farrugia, M. Caruana, Alvaro, Clebinho (85 S. Caruana), T. Caruana, R. Sammut, C. Hevia Menendez (85 M, Xerri), A. Cini, M. Tabone (46 L. Zahra), Alessandro.
Gudja: M. Xerxen (90 M. Farrugia), G. Sammut, D. Antonucci, C. Giordimaina, E. Micheletti, M. Brincat, A. Carabott, G. Chircop (78 C. Grech), M. Groves (50 P.P. Sammut), U. Nwoko, A. Catania.
Referee: Marco Borg.
Yellow cards: Hevia; Brincat; Catania; Chircop; Giordimaina.