SLIEMA WANDERERS 1; TARXIEN RAINBOWS 1

A keenly-fought match between two sides who have already set their sights on the FA Trophy, ended with the sharing of spoils.

Tarxien Rainbows failed to provide their caretaker coach with a dream start as they did most of the early running but after 10 minutes, Sliema mounted an isolated raid on their opponents’ fort.

The Tarxien defence managed to defuse the danger but in the ensuing corner, Denni crossed towards the six-yard box where Salomon blasted home.

After 40 minutes, Emerson Marcelina drilled a free-kick into the wall but the ball hit a hand in the process and referee Stefan Pace ordered another kick, to give the Brazilian the chance to curl a perfectly-weighted free-kick into the top corner. 

It was much the same pattern after the restart as Tarxien again went on the warpath. However, their creative ideas betrayed signs of rustiness. Sliema on their part, ventured forward with more urgency and substitute Frank Temile hit over by inches. A foul by Ebiabowei Baker on Jean Paul Farrugia cost the Tarxien defender a second yellow card and an eventual dismissal.

Sliema had 27 minutes left to exploit their numerical advantage and their late rally subjected Tarxien to some pressure but Andrea Cassar, the Tarxien goalkeeper was proving hard to beat.

Five minutes from time, Andrea Cassar effect an excellent flying save to keep out Ryan Spiteri’s goalbound effort.

In the dying minutes, a good Sliema move set-up culminated with Temile hitting a swerving shot but Cassar managed to a get a touch to the ball, and saved the day for Tarxien.