Tarxien gain first point

San Gwann 0
Tarxien 0

Following three successive defeats, Tarxien Rainbows finally earned their first point of the season in a goalless draw against San Gwann.

The Rainbows yesterday opted for a more cautious approach after conceding 10 goals in three matches but they found it hard to score.

The striking partnership of Maczerob Okoro and Simon Shead worked hard but could not find the killer touch.

San Gwann, on their part, must be happy with the point gained as they rarely created any openings with the Rainbows in total command practically from start to finish.

Nevertheless, the first real threat came from the Saints. This was in the ninth minute when Mark Psaila finished off a surging run with a shot that just missed the target.

Tarxien's reply arrived on 21 minutes when Massimo Schembri's cross found Shead whose shot on the turn ended inches wide.

Six minutes later, the Rainbows came close again when a George Cutajar cross was met by Eric Saliba with the ball finishing just off target.

Five minutes from the break, Okoro should have done better for Tarxien when he miskicked from in front of goal.

The second half turned out to be a drab affair with San Gwann seemingly happy to sit back and contain the pressure.

In the 50th minute, Shead had a good scoring opportunity but his attempt was blocked by goalkeeper Chris Cini.

Tarxien continued to pour forward and in the 56th minute, Okoro served Melvin Farrugia who squared the ball towards Chris Borg but the latter's drive rattled the crossbar.

Midway through the second half, a Gordon Mallia free-kick was well saved by the San Gwann custodian Cini.

In the final stages, the attacking-minded Rainbows continued to press for a winner but the Saints' defence held firm to collect a valuable point.

San Gwann: C. Cini, A. Gatt, J. Farrugia, A. Saliba, G. Magri, C. Agius, W. Spiteri (R. Caruana), K. Loughborough, J. Chidi Ackwoku (K. Sciberras), M. Psaila, A. Decesare (C. Gatt).

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

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Naxxar Lions 2
Mqabba 1

Naxxar Lions pulled off an upset by beating leaders Mqabba 2-1 despite playing for 26 minutes with ten men.

The erstwhile unbeaten Mqabba dominated the encounter but the Lions' organised defence subdued the threat posed by strikers Ikechukwu Chibueze and Marlon Briffa.

Naxxar defender Kevin Cassar was handed the task of marking Mqabba dangerman Chibueze. Although the Nigerian forward managed to put his name on the scoresheet, he was not as effective as he had been in the previous three matches.

Briffa too found it hard to carve openings with John Paul Muscat failing to leave his mark despite his tremendous work-rate.

The Lions' stout defending and menacing counter-attacks won them the day.

They stunned the leaders when taking the lead after only five minutes.

Chima Dozie's fine run on the left flank was finished off by Ivan Zammit who slotted the ball home from close range.

Mqabba responded immediately, winning several corners in succession but the Lions' rearguard defended well with goalkeeper Paul Psaila rarely troubled.

But Mqabba finally got their equaliser on 24 minutes when Cassar brought down Chibueze in the area.

The Nigerian striker completed formalities from the spot for his ninth goal of the season.

Mqabba took control of proceedings now and in the 28th minute, a fierce drive from Edwin Gauci was kept out by the Naxxar 'keeper.

However, it was Naxxar who again regained the lead in the 37th minute against the run of play.

Paul Fenech was fouled in the Mqabba area by Etienne Spiteri with referee Paul Caruana firmly pointing to the spot.

Dozie took responsibility but his shot was partially blocked by Mqabba's Kristian Calleja only for Paul Fenech to head the rebound home.

After the change of ends, it was Naxxar who surprisingly came out as the more aggressive side and could have increased their lead in the 54th minute.

Dozie headed a Paul Sixsmith free-kick towards Fenech whose first-time shot finished just over the top.

Gradually, Mqabba began to get their act together and on the hour, Chibueze intercepted a Sixsmith back pass, released Briffa but the latter's shot was blocked by the Naxxar rearguard.

On 64 minutes, the Lions were reduced to ten men after goalkeeper Psaila was red carded for handling the ball outside the area in a bid to stop Chibueze from controlling a long pass from Gauci.

Naxxar substitute goalkeeper Romeo Schembri replaced goalscorer Fenech and from the resultant free-kick, he was rescued by the crossbar that stopped Chibueze's shot.

Mqabba kept piling up the pressure on Naxxar and on 73 minutes, Gauci failed to connect with a Keith Mallia cross, the ball fell to Roderick Farrugia whose shot ended just wide.

The Lions could have put the result beyond Mqabba's reach on 83 minutes when Zammit's defence-splitting pass found the unmarked Dozie who was blocked by Calleja.

A minute later, Naxxar 'keeper Schembri did well to save Mallia's volley as the Lions managed to preserve their one-goal lead till the end.

Naxxar: P. Psaila, P. Sixsmith, K. Cassar, G. Mock, K. Fenech (D. Gera), R. Schembri, J. Sant Fournier, P. Fenech (R. Schembri), T. Fenech (D. Sant Fournier), I. Zammit, C. Dozie.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, R. Farrugia (M. Camilleri), E. Borg (K. Mallia), L. Grech, M.A. Psaila, J.P. Muscat, E. Gauci, M. Briffa, I. Chibueze, A. Formosa, D. Micallef (E. Spiteri).

Referee: Paul Caruana.