TARXIEN RAINBOWS-0, HIBERNIANS-1
Hibernians needed a last-gasp goal from Brazilian striker Luis Edison ‘Tarabai’ to see off the determined challenge of rivals Tarxien Rainbows who played the entire second half with 10 men.
Marko Potezica’s sending-off swung the balance of this game in Hibs’ favour but, despite their growing pressure, the Paolites could not find a way past Tarxien goalkeeper Nicky Vella.
Tarxien grew in confidence as the end of the game approached but Edison’s late goal spoiled their evening as Hibs claimed the derby spoils.
While Hibs coach Branko Nisevic fielded a familiar line-up as his club have been inactive in the transfer market so far, Tarxien coach Clive Mizzi had seven newcomers in his team.
Tarxien’s five foreigners, Serbian midfielder Potezica and Brazilians Fernande Lopes, Everton Souza, Ronaille and Jorge Santos Silva are all new while Josef Mifsud and Luca Martinelli, signed on loan from Sliema, were also given a starting role.The first half was short on scoring chances with Hibs only threatening occasionally.
Marcelo Dias fired over early on and Obinna Obiefule hit wide after receiving from Dias.
Late in the first half, Tarxien goalkeeper Nicky Vella kept out Clayton Failla’s cross-shot.Just before half-time, Tarxien were reduced to 10 men after Potezica was sent off for a second yellow card, given for a foul on Zoran Levnaic.
Hibs began the second half in attacking fashion.
Ten minutes into the second half, Andrew Cohen’s free-kick sailed towards the far post but Vella leapt to his left to beat the ball away.Out of nothing, Tarxien’s Jorge created a chance as he stole possession in the inside-right channel and cut inside before hitting a dangerous cross-shot that was blocked by Levnaic.Hibs should have scored when Dias’s low cross reached Tarabai who took the ball away from Vella but his final effort was wide.
Midway into the second half, Obiefule headed just wide from Jackson Lima’s measured cross.The siege on Tarxien’s rearguard intensified. Dias made another powerful run down the right before releasing Obiefule whose angled effort was deflected away by Lopes.Tarxien were showing great resilience in face of Hibs’ pressure.
The REaMizzi’s men almost stunned Hibs when Carlo Mamo’s raking cross found the unmarked Sammut but the latter’s header drew a brave save from Muscat.Vella, the Tarxien goalkeeper, was also prominent when beating away Bjorn Kristensen’s high-riser before making another vital save to deny Tarabai.The Brazilian had the final say though as deep into stoppage time, he finally beat Vella with a header from Failla’s corner.
Tarxien goalkeeper Vella was named BOV player of the match.
SLIEMA DEMOLISH QORMI
SLIEMA WANDERERS 4
Ohawuchi 33, 47; Navarra 75, 85
QORMI 0
Two goals apiece from strikers Stanely Ohawuchi and Andrea Navarra secured a perfect start to the season for Sliema Wanderers.
Sliema dominated the early stages and it told when past the half hour mark when Mintoff and Paltemio Barbetti combined to release Alex Muscat but Matthew Farrugia dived to his right to beat away Sliema skipper’s pile-driver. From the ensuing corner, Bianciardi laid the ball into the path of Ohawuchi and the Nigerian headed home in an untenanted net.
The second half took the same pattern and soon after restart, Ohawuchi doubled Sliema’s lead after excellent work from Mintoff. The midfielder took possession in his own half, advanced towards the edge of the area before setting up Ohawuchi with a lofted pass as the latter tapped in a simple finish that gave Farrugia no chance.
Volpi’s men were caught out again fifteen minutes from time, when Ohawuchi surged through Qormi’s defence before releasing substitute Andrea Navarra as he fired past Farrugia at the near post.
Navarra offered the final flourish on what ended up a routine victory as he headed home Muciardi’s corner five minutes from time.