Tarxien Rainbows 1 Hibernians FC 2

After a heroic match against Valletta where they managed to grab a point, Tarxien Rainbows were all out to prove that this was no mere fluke with a good showing against champions Hibernians who on their part were hoping to put the memory of their defeat against Floriana behind them.

However it was Tarxien who started out stronger with Ribeiro and Da Silva looking positive as well as Calabretta with Hibs looking strongly strangely subdued. The first chance came after 8 minutes when a cross from Sadowski found Calabretta who released Dos Santos with the latter’s shot ending up just wide.

On 10 minutes, Calabretta hit the bar with a fine cross shot whilst on 11 minutes Ribeiro’s close range effort was blocked by Muscat. Finally on 16 minutes, Tarxien took the lead when Tanti found Ribeiro who with a curling shot beat Muscat to the joy of the Rainbows faithful.

On 25 minutes, Tarxien could have made it two but Caruana managed to clear a dangerous cross for a corner. On 36 minutes, Hibs had a glorious chance to equalize when Tristan Caruana released Malasenoks but the Latvian was pushed off the ball by Sadowksi. On 39 minutes, Hibs had another chance to equalize but Barbara was blocked at the very end by Curmi who fearlessly came out to intercept the ball.

Hibs continued piling on the pressure and on the stroke of half time they had another fine chance when a stinger by Herrera was brilliantly saved by Curmi.

The second half took some time to warm up and Tarxien created the first opportunity on the hour mark when Dos Santos had a low shot which was well saved by Muscat. On 67 minutes, Barbara had a low shot that was well saved by Curmi as the match continued finely balanced.

However on 79 minutes, Hibernians equalized when Ryan Mintoff was judged to have fouled substitute Elkien Grech. From the spot, Cohen made no mistake driving a low angled shot past Curmi. A minute later Hibs went into the lead in a stunning reversal when Pulis headed home from a corner. Two minutes from time, Muscat was expelled for a second bookable offence but Hibs held on to take the points. 

Tarxien Rainbows: Curmi A (7), Sadowski S (6) (Shead J 84’), Camilleri D (6), Calabretta G (6.5), Pereira E (6), Ribeiro A M (7.5), Tanti M (Caruana M 57’), Decesare A (5) (Chircop W 70’), Vella Critien L (6), Dos Santos D R (6.5), Mintoff R (6)

Hibernians FC: Muscat M, Herrera E (7) (Camilleri R 87’), Pulis A (6.5), Caruana J (6), Pearson J (6), Tabone M (Cauchi E 59’), Caruana T (6), Barbara E (6), Cohen A (6.5), Malsenoks O (6), Grech L (5) (Cauchi J 67’)

Referee: Clayton Pisani

Scorers: Ribeiro A M 16’, Cohen (p) 79, Pulis 81'

Yellow Cards: Muscat M 22’, Pearson J 53’, Grech L 55’, Calabretta GL 58’, Dos Santos 64’, Ribeiro A M 66’, Camilleri D 91’, Shead J 94’

Red Card: Muscat M 

BOV Player of the Match: A M Ribeiro (Tarxien)

 

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