TARXIEN 1 MOSTA 1
Newcomer Edu Vallecillo handed Tarxien Rainbows their first point in three matches after hitting a last-gasp equaliser in 1-1 draw with Mosta.
Tarxien were almost on target in their first raid. Carlos Hevia pounced on a short clearance to hit the crossbar from just offside the box.
The no-non sense movement of the former Valletta striker Ian Zammit helped Mosta to enjoy a positive spell midway through the first half. After 27 minutes, Zammit took a couple of paces forward before he spotted Kurt Magro on the left and duly supplied him with a cute pass.
Magro prolonged the ball towards Matteus to head goalwards but Sean Mintoff, the Tarxien goalkeeper saved with difficulty. Mosta’s thoughtful attacking ensured they continued to hold the upperhand and it came as no surprise when they broke the deadlock past the half hour mark.
Matteus eluded the Tarxien defence with some intelligent footwork and hit the back of the net with a strong low strike.
With the elegant Zammit orchestrating proceedings from the middle, the Blues, persevered in driving forward after the break. In the 51st minute, Mintoff went down to deny Matteus who have been sent through by the nippy midfielder.
Godar tried to revive Tarxien’s hopes after 71 minutes when fine shot on the turn caused some anxiety in the Mosta box before Gerada palmed the ball away. Moments later, the Spaniard tried his luck with good shot that finished just wide.
Vallecillo was a picture of disbelief when his venomous drive from Firas Aboulezz’s corner was hooked off the line by Farrugia as Mosta betrayed signs of complacency.
Two minutes from time, Hevia received a perfect cross from Aboulezz but his header finished over the bar. Mosta seemed heading to a useful victory that would have propelled them to fifth place in the standings.
But as the clock marked 90 minutes Hevia whipped in a teasing cross from the right and Vallecillo headed past Gerada for Tarxien’s equaliser.