TARXIEN RAINBOWS-0, VITTORIOSA STARS-3
Vittoriosa Stars demonstrated their intent to put up a strong fight for Premier League survival after beating fellow relegation strugglers Tarxien Rainbows 3-0 at the Hibs Stadium.
Billed as an early relegation duel, Vittoriosa took an early lead before sealing their victory with two second-half goals as Tarxien lost the plot after a promising start to the second half.
Vittoriosa appealed for a penalty after four minutes when Steve Bonnici appeared to foul Marceloa Pereira in the box but referee Alan Mario Sant waved play on.
On another occasion, Oscar Guerrero's cross landed at the feet of Adam Spiteri but his grounder was wide.
Tarxien improved as the first half progressed. Brazilian winger Jorge burst clear on the right despite Michael Camilleri's challenge before sending in a cross towards the far post where Vittoriosa defender Sidibe Ousmane headed the ball away from Ronaille.
It was Vittoriosa who broke the deadlock on 18 minutes.
Pereira played a crucial role as he ran clear on the left, moved past the sliding Bonnici and guided a pass towards the centre of the box where Gilbert Martin slotted home.
Tarxien's reply saw Potezica sprinting through but his tame shot was cleared away for a corner by Samir Arab. From the ensuing corner, taken by Carlo Mamo, Barbosa's header was blocked by Sean Cini.
Vittoriosa almost doubled their advantage eight minutes from half-time. Bonnici was dispossessed by Guerrero after failing to control a pass from goalkeeper Nicky Vella. Guerrero drifted into the box before passing to Pereira who was twice denied by Vella.
A penetrating run by Jorge opened up Vittoriosa before Ousmane cleared the danger three minutes into the second half as Tarxien started on the attack.Barbosa's free-kick almost surprised Cini but the Vittoriosa goalkeeper managed to push the ball away.
WhenVittoriosa's Camilleri failed to head the ball, Jorge retrieved possession, embarking on another strong run into the box but his pass was again blocked by the alert Ousmane.
At the other end, Pereira laid the ball back for Mitogo whose central shot was parried away by Vella.
Defender Josef Mifsud kept his side Tarxien the game when blocking Mitogo's shot, but, barely a minute later, Tarxien's hopes suffered a blow.Guerrero passed to Pereira but the latter was pushed by Steve Sadowski as he was about to shoot.
Sant pointed to the spot and Guerrero drilled his shot past Vella.
Vittoriosa moved 3-0 up 14 minutes from time. Martin laid the groundwork as his diagonal run unsettled Tarxien before the nippy forward set up Pereira who hammered past Vella.
Six minutes from time, Vittoriosa Stars threatened again when Pereira laid the ball for Guerrero who volleyed wide from an angled position.At the other end, Cini, the Vittoriosa goalkeeper, made a good save from Jorge's shot.
Pereira, the Vittoriosa forward, was named BOV player of the match.