Dingli Swallows 1
Tarxien 3
Tarxien Rainbows brushed aside the challenge of Dingli Swallows to go top of the Division One standings yesterday.
Despite having regular striker Simon Shead starting on the bench, the Rainbows were still a cut above their opponents, scoring two goals in the opening half that put them on their way to a comfortable win that lifted them one point clear at the top.
It was Dingli who seized the initiative early on and after three minutes Jeremy Agius served Uchanna Anywanna but the Nigerian's shot finished just over.
Tarxien responded a minute later when Essien Mbong's shot was well saved by Jeffrey Farrugia in the Dingli goal.
On seven minutes, Dingli's Victor Fiteni almost committed an own goal when after a defensive melee in the area, he miscued his clearance and goalkeeper Farrugia dived well to keep the ball out.
Three minutes later, Luke Vella Critien was unlucky to see his volley bounce off the bar and onto the goalline before Farrugia blocked. The stalemate was broken five minutes later. Dingli defender Brian Galea was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area and Angus Buhagiar cooly converted the resultant penalty.
The match lost much of its intensity with Tarxien holding most of the possession. It was no surprise when on 31 minutes they doubled their lead, Malcolm Buttigieg's scorcher flying into the top corner of the net.
Two goals to the good and Tarxien started the second half still on top of their game with Dingli struggling to get back in the reckoning.
On 67 minutes, the Swallows hopes were further undermined when Anywanna was shown the red card for a tough challenge on defender Steve Sadowski.
Two minutes later, substitute Simon Shead should have made it 3-0 when he was clean through on goal but the veteran forward struck the ball just wide.
The Swallows managed to bridge the gap on 74 minutes when Chris Ciappara dribbled his way past two defenders before firing the ball past Cini.
However, Tarxien soon sealed the points as on 80 minutes Simon Shead stole possession just outside the area and beat Farrugia with an excellent lob.
Dingli: J. Farrugia, U. Anywanna, B. Galea (R. Spiteri), E. Casha, F. Cauchi, C. Ciappara (C. Tabone), K. Formosa, V. Fiteni, C. Muscat (J. Sapiano), J. Agius, D. Cachia.
Tarxien: S. Cini, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana, M. Buttigieg (J. Shead), S. Muscat (S. Shead), E. Mbong, A. Buhagiar, A. Decesare, R. Schembri, R. Grech, L. Vella Critien (O. Grech).
Referee: Jurgen Spiteri.
Player of the Match: Malcolm Buttigieg (Tarxien Rainbows).
St Patrick 1
Senglea 1
Senglea Athletic missed the chance of taking sole leadership in the standings as they were forced to settle for a draw against struggling St Patrick.
The Cottonera outfit came into the match on the back of three successive wins and looked odds on favourites to prolong that run.
However, they found a St Patrick side who produced a brave performance with goalkeeper David Cassar distinguishing himself with a series of excellent saves to earn his side a point.
The first half was a drab affair with both sides showing little attacking flair.
It was the Zabbar side who made all the early running but for all their possession they rarely tested Senglea goalkeeper George Attard.
In fact it was Senglea who threatened on 11 minutes but Kenneth Abela's drive was saved by Cassar.
Just past the half hour Sean Magro came close for St Patrick but his shot finished just wide.
However, six minutes later St Patrick broke the stalemate and what a great goal it was. Karl Micallef co-ordinated himself well to drive the ball home with a magnificent overhead kick that left Attard stranded.
On resumption, Senglea started to impose themselves more as they looked to restore equilibrium. However, they found St Patrick keeper Cassar in great form.
With 17 minutes to go a long ball into the St Patrick area almost created the equaliser when Glenn Bonello anticipated Cassar but Fleri Soler sprinted back in time to clear.
Senglea's pressure paid off on 77 minutes. Bonello anticipated Cassar from a Darren Grech free-kick and this time the ball rolled into the net.
The final stages of the match were rather nervous with St Patrick having Clayton Micallef sent off for a second bookable offence on 79 minutes.
St Patrick: D. Cassar, R. Cassar, M. Fleri Soler, B. Bonnici, C. Micallef, G. Failla, M. Pullicino, S. Magro (C. Abinwanne), T. Caruana (C. Grech) (S. Dimech), K. Micallef, E. Borg.
Senglea: G. Attard, K. Abela, K. Mifsud, C. Caruana, A. Ewurum, G. Bonello, E. Azzopardi, M. Tanti (D. Grech), S. Aquilina, J. Borg (D. Okonkwo), D. Cosaitis.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.
Player of the match: David Cassar (St Patrick).