Tarxien Rainbows 0
Ħamrun Spartans 1
Magro 30 og
The early omens looked encouraging for Tarxien as, within 14 minutes of the start of this match against Ħamrun, they found themselves a man to the good after Roderick Fenech was expelled.
Coming from back-to-back defeats, the Spartans must have feared the worst but rather than resign themselves to what looked like an inevitable defeat, they rolled up their sleeves and battled against adversity.
Their efforts paid rich dividends as the Reds not only kept their lacklustre opponents at bay but also scored the game's only goal to grind out a valuable victory that boosts their chances of challenging for a top-six position.
Prior to this encounter, Tarxien were regarded among the leading contenders to land a Championship Pool place but their poor showing yesterday suggested otherwise.
David Camilleri was rated as doubtful before the match but the veteran midfielder was declared fit to start.
Flank defender Neville Galea was the only notable absentee for the Spartans whose coach Stephen D'Amato favoured a 4-3-3 strategy.
Marcelo Pereira and Gaetan Spiteri initially took up wide positions either side of Joao Batista Mawete, the Spartans' central striker.
As kick-off approached, the heavens opened but the driving rain proved no obstacle to the few fans who made their way to the Tedesco Stadium. A minute's silence in respect of former Melita FC official Ronnie Tabone preceded the match.
The Spartans wasted a glorious opportunity to surge ahead after six minutes. Pereira's progression unsettled Tarxien as the Brazilian picked out the advancing Mawete but the latter's effort was repelled by keeper Anthony Curmi.
The Spartans continued to create the better chances, Mawete having a shot deflected for a corner after getting on the end of Camoin's free-kick.
From the prospect of gaining an early boost in the shape of a goal, the Spartans suffered a self-inflicted setback on 14 minutes when defender Fenech was given a straight red card after he was involved in an altercation with Tarxien's Ribeiro.
It looked like the Spartans had been incensed by Ribeiro's behaviour as goalkeeper Ivan Casha reacted to Fenech's dismissal by charging out of his goal to confront the Brazilian striker. Casha swung an arm at Ribeiro before he was taken away by team-mates. Having just sent off Fenech, referee Alan Mario Sant decided against punishing Casha.
Tarxien, who played 4-4-2, were now expected to turn up the heat on the Spartans but their pressure lacked bite.
On 24 minutes, it was Ħamrun who went close when Mano Micallef was first to a clearance and headed the ball towards Mawete inside the box but the latter's scrambled effort was diverted away for a corner.
Mawete then rescued his team from a potentially dangerous situation when getting in the way of Kurt Magro's header after the Spartans had failed to clear a Camilleri free-kick.
In next to no time, Ħamrun broke the deadlock. Camoin produced a menacing cross-shot from a free-kick and Magro headed the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear.
In the closing stages of the first half, Sant dismissed Tarxien substitute Stacy Vella for protests.
The Rainbows tore into their opponents at the start of the second half. Camilleri's cross from a corner wreaked havoc in the Spartans' box. The ball fell to Denni but the latter's header was cleared away by Micallef.
Denni then managed to squeeze a free-kick past the defensive wall but his effort was too central to unsettle Casha.
Tarxien coach Noel Coleiro brought on Mark Tanti for Magro but the Rainbows continued to huff and puff.
With 21 minutes remaining, Pereira was clean through but he lobbed the ball over the bar. At the other end, Tanti set up Ribeiro but the latter's first touch was heavy and the chance was lost.
Danger loomed for the Spartans when the erstwhile subdued Calabretta sped into the box but Micallef made a perfectly-timed tackle to dispossess the Tarxien forward.
In stoppage time, Ribeiro was sent off for a second booking.
Tarxien Rainbows
A. Curmi-6.5, S. Sadowski-5, M. Caruana-5 ('80 L. Galea), D. Camilleri-6, G. Calabretta-4, Everton-5, Ribeiro, A. Decesare-5 ('63 W. Chircop-4), Denni-6, R. Mintoff-5, K. Magro-4 ('46 M. Tanti-5).
Ħamrun Spartans
I. Casha-6.5, M.A. Bonnici-6, R. Mangion-6, R. Fenech, M. Micallef-8, M. Pereira-6.5 ('74 M. Barbara), G. Spiteri-6, M. Hrubsa-6.5, J.B. Mawete-7, J. Holland-5.5, C. Camoin-7.
Referee Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow cards Decesare; Ribeiro; Magro; Micallef; Spiteri; Galea.
Red cards Fenech (Ħ) 14; Ribeiro (T) 90.
BOV player of the match Marcelo Pereira (Ħamrun Spartans).