Tarxien rescue a point thanks to stoppage-time goal

BOV-Premier-LeagueAfter losing their previous three matches, Tarxien Rainbows rescued a point in a 2-2 draw with Mosta thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser. Mosta therefore dropped two important points in their bid to build a good lead over rivals Naxxar Lions.

The Rainbows, on the other hand, join Floriana and Vittoriosa in seventh place, one ahead of Qormi and Balzan.

Bojan Kaljevic returned for Mosta but Diego Pereira and Ryan Grech were ruled out injured. Tarxien lacked goalkeeper Nicky Vella and Everton Souza Santos.

Mosta took the lead after eight minutes when Armando dos Santos sent Jonas Ekani Rodriguez and off the latter’s assist, Gianmarco Piccioni controlled the ball, slotting past Anthony Curmi from close-range.

The Rainbows replied with a Ronaille Calheira Seara freekick which was deflected into a corner on the 14th. A freekick by Jorge Santos Silva was turned into a corner by Omar Borg on the 21st minute.

Just before half-time, the Rainbows appealed for a penalty as Ronaille Calheira Seara ended on the ground inside the area when tackled by Tyrone Farrugia but referee Sandro Spiteri waved plan on.

Four minutes in the second half, Tarxien levelled matters when they were awarded a penalty after Jonas Ekani Rodriguez challenged Ronaille Calheira Seara inside the area. The Brazilian striker made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Mosta regained the lead on 74 minutes thanks to Gianmarco Piccioni who chipped the ball over Curmi when served by Manolito Micallef.

However two minutes in added time, the Rainbows notched the equaliser when a Carlo Mamo freekick hit the upright and off the rebound, Ronaille Calheira Seara placed the score at the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Jonas Ekani Rodriguez of Mosta was sent off by referee Sandro Spiteri after picking a second yellow card.

MOSTA Omar Borg, Kane Farrugia, Tyrone Farrugia, Mark Brincat, Alex Cini (65′ James Brincat), Manolito Micallef, Yuri de Jesus Messias, Jonas Ekani Rodriguez, Armando Vieira dos Santos (77′ Ishmael Grech), Bojan Kaljevic (54′ Cristian Martins Fernandes), Gianmarco Piccioni.
Subs not used: Kurt Rizzo, Kurt Zammit, Giancarlo Sammut, Kyle Frendo.
Coach: Danilo Doncic

TARXIEN Anthony Curmi, Fernando Lopes Alcantara, Andrew Agius (79′ Carlo Mamo), Luca Martinelli, Marko Potezica, Ronaille Calheira Seara, Miguel Ciantar, Ryan Sammut, Josef Mifsud, Steve Bonnici (37′ Karl Pulo), Jorge Santos Silva.
Subs not used: Antonio Chetcuti, Steve Sadowski, Manuel Caruana, Luke Zahra, Nigel Vella.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Ingmar Spiteri, Edward Spiteri
Additional Assistant Referees: Clayton Pisani, Malcolm Spiteri
Fourth Official: Jurgen Spiteri
Yellow Cards: A. Agius, M. Brincat, L. Martinelli, K. Pulo, J. Ekani, Y. Messias, M. Potezica, R. Sammut, Jorge Santos, M. Ciantar
Red Cards: 90+4′ Jonas Ekani Rodriguez
Scorers: 8′ Gianmarco Piccioni (M); 50′ Ronaille Calheira Seara (T); 74′ Gianmarco Piccioni (M); 90+2′ Ronaille Calheira Seara (T)
BOV Player of the Match: Gianmarco Piccioni