SLIEMA WANDERERS-2, TARXIEN RAINBOWS-1
Sliema Wanderers battled back from a goal down to beat Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 and atone for their disappointing defeat to St Andrew's.
Tarxien were the better side for most of the opening half but their failure to convert a series of chances cost them dearly as Sliema came good in the second half to take the points thanks to Marko Potezica's late winner.
Tarxien Rainbows shaded an entertaining first half but only had one goal to show for their efforts.
It came on the 15th minute mark as Triston Caruana's dipping cross, from a corner, flew past a host of Sliema players inside the area and defender Ebiabowei Baker was on hand to drive his header into the net.
Mattias Muchardi then headed over for Sliema from Gary Muir's cross.
The game remained hard-fought with Tarxien going close to a second goal. Spanish winger Daniel Ponce broke clear on the left before hitting a perfect cross towards Alex Nilsson who headed wide with only Glenn Zammit to beat.
Tarxien, with Alex Alves a powerful figure on the right wing, were the more dangerous side but Sliema almost equalised on 28 minutes.
Alex Muscat, pouncing on a Tarxien half-clearance, sent in a speculative show from the distance with the ball rolling past a crowd of players before falling for Peter Xuereb whose rising effort skimmed the crossbar.
Wisdom Salomon then headed wide from Muir's free-kick.
Sliema goalkeeper Glenn Zammit nearly gifted Tarxien a goal six minutes from half-time as his poor pass was intercepted by Ponce inside the box. Nilsson was first to the ball but the Sliema goalkeeper reacted quickly by diving to his left to keep out the Swedish striker's effort with his feet.
There was another scare for Sliema as a quick one-two between Triston Caruana and Ponce sent the latter through but his strike was wide.
The Rainbows were almost punished for their misses but Muchardi's free-kick came off the outside of the near post.
Early in the second half, Alves again advanced on the right before putting in a fine cross but the unmarked Ponce poked the ball wide.
Sliema also had a chance as Muir's cross sailed towards the six-yard box but Farrugia's header was nodded away for a corner by Daniel Zerafa.
The Wanderers improved.
Alex Muscat's corner, from the right, flew towards the far post but Mark Scerri's header was cleared off the line.
Sliema equalised a minute past the hour, Salomon sprinting into the box to reach Muchardi's pass before drilling past Cassar.
Plucking up courage, Sliema almost scored again but Muchardi's strong drive came off the far post.
Reprieved, Tarxien had a good chance of their own when Claudio Frances, who had just replaced Emerson Marcelina, delivered a fine cross, from a free-kick, but Baker headed over.
With 10 minutes left, Tarxien created a glorious chance as Caruana's intelligent pass released Nilsson in the box but he lifted his shot against the crossbar.
The game continued to swing from one end to the other, Muchardi going close for Sliema only to be foiled by the alert Cassar.
Sliema snatched the winner five minutes from time thanks to Marko Potezica who stabbed the ball home at the far post from substitute Ryan Spiteri's corner.
Tarxien tried to rally. Ponce set up Alves but the Brazilian hit high from an inviting position.
Alves, the Tarxien winger, was named BOV player of the match.