Lions roar as Rainbows stay bottom

Tarxien Rainbows 0
Naxxar Lions 2

Naxxar Lions made the most of the chances that came their way to take maximum spoils from this bottom-of-the-table clash, leaving Tarxien Rainbows as the only team without a point so far.

The encounter was a balanced affair but Massimo Cremona's side were more lethal in front of goal. By contrast, Tarxien's strikers showed poor finishing up front.

It was hard to understand why Simon Shead and Aaron Guazzo were substituted by coach Joe Galea when Tarxien were in dire need of scoring a goal, especially when Naxxar struck their second 14 minutes from time.

Before the start of the season, Tarxien were considered as one of the favourites to repeat Msida's feat in winning back-to-back promotions from Division Two to the Premier League. But, on this form, they would be lucky to survive in Division One.

As in previous matches, Tarxien dictated matters early on. After nine minutes, a Guazzo cross was headed goalwards by Maczerob Okoro but Paul Psaila was well placed to save.

Five minutes later, the Rainbows were unlucky when a George Cutajar free-kick was deflected by Paul Sixsmith onto the crossbar. From the rebound, Okoro's drive was saved by the Naxxar custodian.

As the minutes ticked away, Naxxar improved. They regrouped in midfield with Sixsmith, yesterday making a return to the starting formation, trying to push his men forward.

The Lions forged ahead in the 35th minute. Simon Muscat dribbled his way into the Tarxien area but was brought down by Gordon Mallia.

Referee J.R. Attard pointed to the spot and Chima Dozie sent Tarxien goalkeeper Anthony Curmi the wrong way to give his side the lead.

On 48 minutes, Sixsmith tried his luck from the distance with the ball finishing wide. Four minutes later, Okoro went close for Tarxien but his header was cleared off the line by Ramon Schembri.

The Nigerian then had a long-range shot finishing just over.

Sixteen-year-old Paul Fenech almost doubled Naxxar's lead on 62 minutes but his shot hit the crossbar with Curmi beaten.

The Lions sealed the issue 14 minutes from the end when Dozie headed the ball towards substitute Jonathan Sant who flashed in and stabbed the ball home.

Tarxien: A. Curmi, J. Agius, G. Cutajar, M. Farrugia, E. Saliba, M. Schembri (C. Borg), M. Okoro, G. Mallia, S. Shead (B. Testaferrata), A. Guazzo (M. Caruana), E. Farrugia.

Naxxar: P. Psaila, H. Pullicino, K. Cassar, J. Mifsud (K. Schembri), P. Sixsmith, R. Schembri (M. Micallef), J. Sant Fournier, T. Fenech, P. Fenech, S. Muscat (J. Sant), C. Dozie.

Referee: J.R. Attard.

Marsa 2
Rabat Ajax 0

Marsa bagged their second win in four matches thanks to influential displays by Nigerian Minabo Asechemie, Miguel Corbolan and Gilbert Martin. The latter, though only 17 years old, was a joy to watch and is certainly growing in stature. His speed with the ball at his feet posed a constant threat to Rabat Ajax yesterday.

Rabat, placed second from bottom, are certainly missing the striking prowess of William Borg who joined Pietà Hotspurs in the close season, and Ulrich Engoya Onesime, who was not retained by the club.

Coach Dragan Zivkovic surely needs a clinical forward up front if he wants to dismiss any relegation worries.

Marsa, who lost 4-3 to Mqabba in their previous outing, must remain consistent. If their midfield sector continues to improve, they would have a great chance of making a swift return to Premiership football.

Rabat were the livelier side when, after eight minutes, Joseph Farrugia found Darren Galea in a good position but the Rabat striker's shot was kept out by Jason Cordina in the Marsa goal.

Ten minutes later, Cordina was called into action to block a long-range effort from Alan Zahra.

The Magpies continued to press forward and in the 26th minute, Michael Micallef's solo effort was cleared for a corner by the Marsa rearguard.

Two minutes later, Marsa finally ventured forward when Darrin Vella squared the ball to Martin whose strike from outside the area was parried by George Edwards.

Suddenly, Marsa were all over Rabat and on the half hour, Asechemie shot straight at Edwards.

Eight minutes later, Rabat nearly forged ahead. From a swift counter-attack, Micallef headed Manuel Muscat's cross goalwards but Cordina blocked.

Marsa took the lead two minutes from the break. Asechemie's inch-perfect pass split the Rabat defence wide open and Johann Zammit did the rest, firing the ball into the roof of the net.

Three minutes into the second half, Marsa substitute Ibrahim Tarik found space in the box but shot straight into the hands of the Rabat custodian instead of passing to the unmarked Martin.

Three minutes later it was Rabat who came close to an equaliser when Zahra's scorcher was tipped away by Cordina.

In no time, Marsa had doubled their advantage. Sixteen minutes of the second half had elapsed when Corbolan headed home Lee Grima's corner. Surprisingly, minutes later Corbolan was replaced by Ryan Bonnici.

In the 90th minute, Marsa could have increased their lead when Edwards fumbled Asechemie's corner but Martin shot just over the bar.

Marsa: J. Cordina, M. Scicluna (I. Tarik), J. Buttigieg, D. Vella, J. Zammit, K. Camilleri (S. Cutajar), L. Grima, M. Corbolan (R. Bonnici), G. Martin, K. Farrugia, M. Asechemie.

Rabat: G. Edwards, E. Muscat, J. Bezzina, M. Micallef, C. Borg, R. Camilleri, C. Schembri, J. Tonna, D. Galea, J. Farrugia (C. Muscat), A. Zahra (A. Smeir).

Referee: Marco Borg.

Playing on Wednesday: Centenary Stadium - 6 p.m. St Patrick vs Naxxar L.; 8 p.m. Rabat A. vs Senglea A.