TARXIEN RAINBOWS 5

Arab 19

Paolucci 25, 59, 65

Wemmer 61

ŻEBBUĠ RANGERS 0

Tarxien little problems to overcome the weak challenge of Żebbuġ Rangers and book their place in the next round of the FA Trophy.

Italian striker Michele Paolucci was the architecht behind the Rainbows victory as he netted a hat-trick to propel the Rainbows into the quarter-finals of the knock out competition.

Tarxien subdued their opponents within the first 20 minutes when Anderson served the ball to striker Siraj Arab who calmly beat Jurgen Borg with a low shot.

The match was as good as over six minutes later when the Rainbows scored their second.

Ricardo Faria floated the ball towards the centre of the penalty area where  Paolucci flashed a low shot that had the better of Borg.

After the break, Żebbuġ applied even more pressure as Igor Enrique de Rocha Sousa’s free-kick was deviated to a corner by Cassar.

But Paolucci made it 3-0 on 59 minutes and effectively sealed Tarxien’s passage to the quarter-final.

Alexander Jens Wemmer squeezed a pass towards the unmarked Italian striker who planted an inswinger into the top of the net.

Two minutes later, Tarxien added a fourth as Wemmer turned from provider to scorer with a powerful run that saw him drifting through the Żebbuġ defence before lifting his shot over Borg.

Paolucci completed his hat-trick on 65 minutes.

Luke Grech chipped a delightful cross from a corner as Paolucci headed ball home.

Nine minutes from time, Tarxien were reduced to ten men after Matthew Spiteri received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.