Brave Tarxien deny Citizens

Valletta 2
Scerri 30; Pace 77
Tarxien Rainbows 2
Ribeiro 2; Camilleri79

David Camilleri came back to haunt his former team Valletta yesterday when the veteran midfielder earned Tarxien Rainbows a point with a scorching shot late on.

Buoyed by last week's 4-2 win over Hibs, Valletta looked to move three points clear at the top of the standings but found a resolute Tarxien in front of them.

Valletta had fought back after falling behind very early in the match and looked set to take all points when Jamie Pace put them ahead 13 minutes from time. However, the Rainbows showed true grit and stamina to draw level and hold on for a precious point.

Valletta will be disappointed not to have beaten Tarxien for the second time this season but they will be consoled to claim sole leadership in the standings.

City coach Ton Caanen gave Steve Borg the nod to start in the heart of the defence in the absence of the suspended Luke Dimech with Edmund Agius coming on to fill as right-back.

Tarxien were off to a flier and took less than two minutes to forge ahead when Justin Grioli, making his first appearance against his former club, sent an inviting ball into the area and Ribeiro was on hand to head past Andrew Hogg.

Stunned by that early setback, Valletta tried to regroup but they had to wait till the 17th minute to fashion their first shot on goal. Doding Priso, however, blasted over after he was put through by Scerri.

Tarxien threatened again on 23 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick from 30 metres out and Everton Pereira's fierce drive was tipped over by Hogg.

Parity was restored on the half-hour. From a Kevin Sammut free-kick, the ball fell into the path of Roderick Briffa who saw his volley somehow kept out by keeper Anthony Curmi. Scerri, however, was on hand to score from the rebound.

The Citizens almost struck again soon after when from a long Borg throw-in, Jamie Pace back-headed the ball towards goal but Andrew Decesare was well positioned to clear from over the line.

Five minutes from the break Briffa tried his luck from the distance but his shot was too central to create any danger to Curmi. At the other end Ribeiro served Denni whose dipping header was stopped by Hogg.

On the hour, it was the Citizens who went close again when Sammut fed Pace just outside the area but the midfielder's shot finished just over.

Doding forced his way past two defenders before serving skipper Gilbert Agius who hit over from a central position.

Valletta were running the show now but the Rainbows defended solidly and operated on quick breaks.

But, the Citizens' pressure finally told when on 77 minutes Edmund Agius's dipping cross into the area was somehow deviated by Scerri who completely surprised Curmi with Pace tucking the ball inside an empty net.

However, Valletta's joy was shortlived as the Rainbows took just two minutes to draw level, Camilleri unleashing a powerful drive that gave Hogg no chance.

Caanen brought on Jordi Cruyff to further strengthen his team's charge for a winner. Three minutes from time Falzon tried with a crisp grounder but his shot hit the side-netting.

The City followers, craving for some consistency from their team, shouted goal a minute from time when Scerri's centre found Cruyff who headed home but the 'goal' was annulled for a foul by the Dutchman.

Valletta: A. Hogg-6, S. Borg-6, S. Bezzina-6, K. Scicluna-6, E. Agius-6 ('80 J. Cruyff), J. Pace-7, G. Agius-7 ('88 D. O'Brien), K. Sammut-6.5 ('68 D. Falzon-6), T. Scerri-6.5, R. Briffa-6, P. Doding-6.5.

Tarxien Rainbows: A. Curmi-7, S. Sadowski-6, M. Caruana-6, D. Camilleri-7.5, E. Pereira-7, A. Ribeiro-6, M. Tanti-5.5 ('70 K. Magro-5.5), A. Decesare-6 ('58 G. Calabretta-5.5), Denni-6.5 ('85 L. Galea), R. Mintoff-6, J. Grioli-6.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Scicluna, Borg, Sadowski.

BoV Player of the match: Denni (Tarxien Rainbows).