Remarkable comeback earns a point for Tarxien against Valletta

Valletta FC vs Tarxien Rainbows 2-2 (HT 2-0)

Tarxien Rainbows came from two goals behind to earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Valletta. The Citizens therefore missed the opportunity to join leaders Qormi on top the BOV Premier League table while Tarxien are now sixth, on level points with Sliema.

It was a fair result as although Valletta held the initiative during the first half, the Rainbows would have not deserved leaving Hamrun without points considering their remarkable come back.

Valletta lacked Roderick Briffa but Gilbert Agius and Kevin Sammut started the game on the bench.
The Citizens had the first shot at goal on 5 minutes when Terence Scerri tried his luck with two consecutive shots from the left which were blocked by Tarxien goalkeeper Anthony Curmi.

On 26 minutes, Terence Scerri served Njongo Priso on the right but his close-range shot was blocked into a corner by Anthony Curmi.

Valletta took the lead on the 40th when off a freekick by Jordi Cruyff, Jamie Pace flicked the ball in style over goalkeeper Anthony Curmi.

Two minutes later, David Camilleri went close with a freekick from the right ending just over the bar.
One minute from half-time, off a cross from the left by Dyson Falzon, Anthony Curmi punched the ball which fell into the direction of Njongo Priso who placed the ball at the back of the net with a low shot.

Tarxien pulled one back on 62 minutes when Gianluca Calabretta advanced on the left inside the area, rounding the goalkeeper, then intellignetly served Anderson Mendes Ribeiro who flicked the ball past Hogg.

Three minutes later, Tarxien equalised when off a cross from the right by Mark Tanti, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro beat the Valletta custodian with a great header.

The Rainbows controlled their opponents in the remaining minutes with Anthony Curmi coming to the rescue as he blocked a close-range effort by Terence Scerri from the right four minutes from time.

VALLETTA Andrew Hogg, Steve Bezzina, Justin Grioli, Luke Dimech, Kenneth Scicluna, Jordi Cruyff, Dyson Falzon (72′ Gilbert Agius), Njongo Priso, Terence Scerri, Jamie Pace, Edmond Agius (72′ Kevin Sammut).
Subs not used: Nicky Vella, Steve Borg, Stefan Giglio, Ian Zammit, Dylan Grima.
Coach: Ton Caanen
Team Manager: Nicky Saliba

TARXIEN Anthony Curmi, Steve Sadowski, David Camilleri, Gianluca Calabretta, Everton Antonio Pereira, Anderson Mendes Ribeiro, Mark Tanti (87′ Lee Galea), Warren Chircop (71′ Manuel Caruana), Luke Vella Critien, Denni Rocha Dos Santos (40′ Kurt Magro) Ryan Mintoff.
Subs not used: David Cassar, Stacey Vella, Mario Bajada, James Shead, Lee Galea.
Coach: Noel Coleiro

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Philip Agius, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Saviour Tanti
Yellow Cards: Sadowski, Dimech
BOV Player of the Match: Anderson Mendes Ribeiro
Scorers: 40′ Jamie Pace (V)
44′ Njongo Doding Priso (V)
62′ Anderson Mendes Ribeiro (T)
65′ Anderson Mendes Ribeiro (T)