Late goals add gloss to Rainbows’ win

Ayrton Azzopardi launches an attack for Tarxien Rainbows. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi

Żebbuġ Rangers 1
Catania 64;
Tarxien Rainbows 4
Pedro 26 pen; Montebello 35; Caruana 88; Azzopardi 89;

Tarxien Rainbows’ passage to the Last 16 of the FA Trophy was not as straightforward as the 4-1 scoreline might suggest.

The game looked as good as over when Tarxien surged into a two-goal lead against the prudent Żebbuġ Rangers whose early inertia suggested that they showed their Premier League opponents too much respect.

But Rangers woke up after pulling one back. As their confidence and self-belief grew, they had a go at Tarxien who never really raised the ante but Żebbuġ’s fightback was cut short by two late goals that added gloss to the Rainbows’ victory.

Tarxien coach Jacques Scerri handed a rare start to goalkeeper Sean Mintoff as Andrea Cassar was given a breather along with Triston Caruana and Lucky Omeruo while wing-back Alex Paixao was rested altogether.

Scerri stuck with 4-2-3-1, Luke Montebello leading the line.

Żebbuġ, fifth in Division One, lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Angelo Catania partnering Diego Fernando up front.

Tarxien did the early running but rarely threatened the Rangers defence.

On 15 minutes, Montebello created space for a shot inside the box but his grounder was wide.

Joao Pedro did well to advance through the middle but his shot was repelled by Justin Spiteri.

Tarxien’s early pressure produced a penalty on 26 minutes. Anderson was the architect as his surging run into the box was stopped by Matthew Gauci who hauled down the Brazilian forward.

Referee Trustin Farrugia Cann pointed to the spot and Joao Pedro drilled his shot past Spiteri.

Żebbuġ, toiling to make inroads into Tarxien’s half, had to wait until the half-hour to create a modicum of a chance but Pereira’s grounder was wide.

It was the Rainbows who extended their lead 10 minutes from half-time when Daniel Zerafa released Montebello inside the box and the on-loan Valletta striker beat Spiteri from close in.

The game remained a one-sided affair with Tarxien in control. The woodwork came to Rangers’ rescue as Ebiabowei Baker’s header, from Pedro’s corner, rattled the crossbar.

Montebello rifled over at the start of the second half as the pattern of the game remained un-changed.

Rangers finally showed up in the Tarxien box, forcing two corners. From the second one, Pereira’s cross caused a goalmouth melee as Godwin McKay tried to hit goalwards but he was crowded out by the Tarxien defenders.

On another occasion, Catania was perfectly placed when Keith Vella’s cross sailed towards him inside the area but the striker’s header was off target.

Tarxien failed to heed the alarm signals and Rangers duly narrowed the deficit when Mintoff fumbled Catania’s free-kick.

The Division One side plucked up courage. Catania went close with another free-kick that whistled past the upright.

At the other end, a speculative shot by Brandon Muscat was blocked by Spiteri.

There was another anxious moment for Tarxien when Pereira’s crossfield pass soared towards the unmarked Catania inside the box but the Italian headed wide.

But Rangers were exposed at the back when, with two minutes remaining, Montebello’s through-pass freed substitute Triston Caruana who advanced unchallenged before hitting past Spiteri.

In no time, Tarxien scored again, Ayrton Azzopardi firing home after cutting in from the right.

Żebbuġ Rangers
J. Spiteri, R. Bakare, G. McKay, K. Zammit (82 O. Rababah), A. Catania, S. Hili, M. Gauci (57 I. Meli), K. Vella (81 K. Sacco), R. Spiteri, L. Galea, D. Pereira.

Tarxien Rainbows
S. Mintoff, E. Baker, T. Tabone Desira, B. Muscat, A. Azzopardi, R. Bajada (80 T. Caruana), C. Menendez, L. Montebello, D. Zerafa, Joao Pedro (82 R. Mizvga-shira), Anderson (71 L. Omeruo).

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards: Gauci; Vella.

Last 16 pairings
Hibs vs Pembroke; Floriana vs Lija; Qormi vs Tarxien; St Andrew’s vs Gżira; Balzan vs Melita; Pieta vs St George’s; Birkirkara vs Xewkija/Valletta; Għargħur vs Sliema.