TARXIEN RAINBOWS 0

RABAT AJAX 1

Pendas 83;

Rabat Ajax finally broke the duck after seven consecutive defeats.

The Rainbows started brightly and Ronaille scooped a swerving shot on to the underside of the crossbar before the ball bounced back into play.

Miguel Ciantar was proving dangerous when coming forward from the flank and on the half hour mark, Velimirovic leapt to his right tip the diminutive midfielder’s shot around the post.

Steve D’Amato’s half-time talk must have left its desired effect as his players took to the field with renewed verve. As the second half got underway, Rabat began to cause Tarxien problems upfront after an opening half during which the Ajax did not fashion a single noteworthy chance.

On the hour mark, Smeir took advantage of slack marking but his shot was too central to trouble Nicholas Vella, the Tarxien goalkeeper. Two minutes later, Fernando Lopes clattered into the advancing Diego Carrillo Pendas just outside the box. Referee Farrugia ran towards the Rainbows centre-half and brandished a second yellow card for the defender. From the ensuing free-kick, Daniel Pelaez Bellido’s curler was pushed onto the bar by Vella. Smeir took the rebound but the goalkeeper reacted quickly to deny the Rabat striker.

A minute later, Moises Avila Perez hit the ball past Vella from close-range but the goal was annulled as the striker was adjudged to have handled the ball before shooting into the net. At the other end, Velimirovic prevented Tarxien going 1-0 up pushing Jorge’s shot over the bar from Everton’s delivery after 75 minutes.

But Rabat were not to be denied seven minutes from time as the Tarxien defence was unlocked by a neat three-man move.Catching the Tarxien defence up the field, substitute Malcolm Licari sprinted the length of the half, before exchanging it with Avila Perez on the left flank, Carrillo Pendas ran in to meet his compatriot cross to fire the ball into the net.