VALLETTA-5, TARXIEN RAINBOWS-2
Terrence Scerri scored a hat-trick as Valletta recovered from the setback of giving away two soft goals to see off the resilient Tarxien Rainbows 5-2 at the National Stadium.
Five minutes into the game, Roderick Briffa’s long pass from midfield fell to Terrence Scerri who shook off Everton but his bold effort finished wide. Valletta saw more of the ball in the opening stages. Anthony Curmi, the Tarxien goalkeeper, saved Dyson Falzon’s first-time volley after nine minutes but the Citizens took the lead moments later.
Curmi was at fault as his failure to deal with Kevin Sammut’s free-kick caused a goalmouth scramble. Steve Borg’s attempt to hit goalwards turned into a good cross from Scerri who headed into the net from a tight angle.
The Citizens’ joy didn’t last long though as Tarxien took less than two minutes to make it 1-1, Ricardo Costa heading home from Sergio Pacheco’s corner. With Valletta struggling, Tarxien threatened to add to their opponents’ woes when Daniel Mariano Bueno surged clear but his grounder was inches wide. Gradually, the Citizens increased their pressure.
Falzon’s inswinging cross from a corner unnerved Curmi who palmed the ball onto the bar. Headers from Jamie Pace and Scerri were off target while Denni’s first-time drive from Briffa’s centre came off team-mate Scerri who was in an offside position. Eight minutes from half-time, Curmi pushed put Falzon’s goalbound header from Briffa’s cross.
The Valletta winger was first to the loose ball but his scrambled effort was wide. Valletta regained the lead four minutes into the second half.
They were awarded a penalty after Orosco Anonam tripped the advancing Kevin Sammut inside the area. Scerri made no mistake from the spot.
As happened in the first half, Tarxien didn’t have to wait long to equalise, Bueno tapping into an empty net after Hogg, who had repelled the Brazilian’s initial effort, dropped the ball when colliding with team-mate Ramon. The City players could not believe their eyes but they refused to let their ill-luck dent their optimism.
Sammut put the Citizens back in front with a far-post strike but Tarxien created a hatful of chances to restore equilibrium. Ricardo Costa’s header from Gianluca Calabretta’s corner came off a post and Hogg beat away a free-kick by Tarxien’s Brazilian forward.
With nine minutes left, Valletta went 4-2 ahead, Pace stroking the ball past Curmi from Denni’s free-kick and in the dying stages, Scerri sealed his hat-trick when firing home after being put through by substitute Ian Zammit. Sammut, the Valletta midfielder, was named BOV player of the match,