Precious points for ten-man Tarxien

Tarxien Rainbows collected three precious points in a direct clash with Qormi despite playing for the last thirty minutes in ten men. They now move in the eighth place, two points ahead of Naxxar Lions.

For Qormi, this was yet another disappointing result as this was the sixth consecutive league defeat and the eleventh game without victory.

The Rainbows had three changes from the team which drew with Mosta as Jonathan Debono and new signings Ishmael Grech and Obinna Darlington Ajoku replaced Sean Mintoff, Matthew Tabone and Ryan Sammut. Leighton Grech and Billy Berntsson replaced Christopher Edafe Uzeh and Emerson Vella for Qormi.

Qormi took the lead on the 14th minute when off a cross by Joseph Chetcuti from the right, Frank Temile controlled the ball before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Jonathan Debono.

Tarxien equalised seven minutes later through Carlos Menendez Hevia who rounded a defender before beating goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia.

The two teams continued to share the exchanges with the two goalkeepers hardly being tested.

On the hour, the Rainbows were reduced to ten men after Carlos Menendez Hevia received a second yellow card by referee Adrian Azzopardi.

However seven minutes from time, the Rainbows forged ahead when off a cross by Edu Vallecillo, substitute Matthew Tabone headed the ball home from close range.

Five minutes in added time, Qormi almost notched the equaliser Jonathan Debono came to the rescue with a great save on an Alfred Effiong.

TARXIEN Jonathan Debono, Manuel Caruana, Triston Caruana, Firas Aboulezz (65′ Matthew Tabone), Eduardo Vallecillo Casado (90+2′ Kane Paul Farrugia), Carlos Menendez Hevia, Jose Angel Godar Pereira, Ishmael Grech, Alex Cini, Obinna Darlington Ajoku (85′ Ryan Sammut), Manuel Bonaque Acevedo.
Subs not used: Antonio Chetcuti, Steve Sadowski, Owen Bugeja, Luke Zahra.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

QORMI Matthew Farrugia, Mauricio Matias Mazzetti Latini (85′ Marcelo Roberto Lima de Mattos), Joseph Chetcuti (88′ Steve Agius), Alfred Effiong, Clifford Gauci, Frank Temile, Zoran Levnajic, Duncan Pisani, Jonathan Bondin, Billy Berntsson, Leighton Grech (71′ Ryan Micallef).
Subs not used: Jurgen Cilia, Bjorn Bondin, Roderick Sammut, Emerson Vella.
Coach: Josef Mansueto

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Chris Francalanza, Paul Apap
Additional Assistant Referees: Trustin Farrugia Cann, Glenn Tonna
Fourth Official: Mario Apap
Yellow Cards: L. Grech, A. Cini, D. Pisani, J. Bondin, Hevia, E. Vallecillo, M. Tabone, T. Caruana
Scorers: 14′ Frank Temile, 21′ Carlos Menendez Hevia, 83′ Matthew Tabone
BOV Player of the Match: Edu Vallecillo