FLORIANA 0
TARXIEN RAINBOWS 3
Azzopardi 24, Alves 31, Pedro 73
Tarxien reignited their top-four challenge with a 3-0 win over direct rivals Floriana. They were worthy winners as yesterday’s victory lifted them to fifth in the Premier League standings and restored their tag of the surprise team of the season.
The Rainbows deservedly took the lead after 24 minutes when Montebello floated a perfect pass towards the unmarked Ayrton Azzopardi in the box and the midfielder calmly headed the ball past Calleja Cremona.
Past the half hour mark, Floriana could only watch in frustration when Joao Pedro Oliveira’s ball evaded the defence with Alves drifting inside the penalty area before beating Calleja Cremona with a wicked shot for the Rainbows to establish a comfortable double lead.
Floriana were now facing a drubbing as Jacques Scerri tried to add more firepower upfront roping in Lucky Omeruo in the place of Brandon Muscat. However, the Greens started the second half in livelier fashion as Steve Pisani blasted wide from Clyde Borg’s deep cross.
But once again, the quick movement of the Tarxien forward had the Floriana defenders chasing shadows as Montebello charged through Andrea Scozzese and Steve Pisani before forcing Calleja Cremona into a smart save to keep his team above the water.
Calleja Cremona’s contribution to the match, however, came to an abrupt end in the 71st minute. He raced out to block the way for the advancing Montebello who tried to dribble his way through but the goalkeeper touched the ball outside the box leaving the referee Mario Apap with no other option but to show him the red card. Luis Oliveira immediately withdrew Steve Bonnici to rope in reserve keeper Tyrone Gauci in goal. Yet his first task was to pick the ball out of the net as Joao Pedro’s curling freekick eluded him and arrowed into the near low corner.