Tarxien Rainbows 3
St Patrick 0
Tarxien Rainbows have gained promotion to the Premier League after clinching the Division One title with a final-day 3-0 win over lowly St Patrick. The last time Tarxien were in the top flight of Maltese football was in 1997-1998.
The other promotion slot will go to either Mosta or Qormi who have finished level in second place on 37 points, two less than Tarxien. The Division One promotion decider will be played on Friday at the National Stadium, starting at 8 p.m.
Knowing that only a win would ensure Premier League football next season, Tarxien went in search of a goal from the outset. After only three minutes, Essien Mbong hit wide and three minutes later, Angus Buhagiar played a through-ball to Simon Shead who missed the target by a whisker from a good position.
On 15 minutes, Noel Coleiro's team forged ahead. The dynamic Buhagiar finished a sweeping move by Tarxien with a strong shot that left St Patrick goalkeeper David Cassar helpless.
The Saints failed to react and midway through the first half, it was Tarxien who came close to doubling their lead. Buhagiar passed to Mbong whose fierce drive from outside the area was blocked by Cassar in two attempts.
On 32 minutes, Tarxien missed a sitter when John Paul Muscat drove the ball high from close range after a good move between Malcolm Buttigieg and Mbong.
Three minutes later, Tarxien made it 2-0, Shead rifling the ball home following a cross by Buhagiar.
After conceding their second goal, St Patrick tried to come out of their defensive shell but they never threatened Tarxien's rearguard. To make matters worse for Winston Muscat's side, a minute before the break Buttigieg floated a high cross into the Saints' area, Cassar fumbled the ball and Shead was on hand to flick home.
The second half was a different story as Tarxien lowered their tempo and opted for a passing game without spending too much energy. This allowed St Patrick to venture forward but they lacked punch up front.
St Patrick had to wait until 10 minutes from the end of normal time to come close to a consolation goal. Tarxien's Ramon Schembri cleared the ball off the line following a corner that caused a melee inside the box.
The Żabbar outfit had another great chance to narrow the deficit when, with only two minutes left, they were awarded a penalty after Schembri floored Simon Zerafa in the box. Zerafa took the penalty but his strike was stopped by Sean Cini.
At the other end, Buhagiar should have made it 4-0 for the new Division One champions but his low drive was kept out by St Patrick goalkeeper Cassar.
After the game, Tarxien captain Manuel Caruana was presented with the BOV Division One championship trophy by Malta FA senior vice-president Carmelo Bartolo and secretary Joe Gauci to the delight of the winning team's numerous fans.
Tarxien
S. Cini, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana (M. Pisani), M. Buttigieg, E. Mbong, S. Shead (M. Zammit), A. Buhagiar, A. Decesare, R. Schembri, J.P. Muscat (O. Grech), L. Vella Critien.
St Patrick
D. Cassar, A. Buttigieg, S. Dimech, M. Fleri Soler, S. Zerafa, C. Grech (A. Ellul), M. Pullicino (C. Micallef), C. Vassallo (I. Scicluna), T. Caruana, H. Doda, B. Bonnici.
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.
Man of the match: Angus Buhagiar (Tarxien).