St. Andrews claim first three points

standrews-tarxien160911jonbSt. Andrews claimed their first three points as a goal early in the second half enabled them to beat Tarxien Rainbows 1-0 despite having a player sent off mid-way through the second half.

For the Rainbows, this was the second consecutive defeat after earning a point in their first game against Gzira.

The Saints had four changes from the team which lost to Floriana as Dale Camilleri, Daniel Brandle, Ryan Darmanin and their latest signing Ziga Kastrevec replaced Bong Won Che, Godwin Mckay, Ivan Paz and Nenad Belacevic. Tarxien coach Jacques Scerri named Philip Schranz, Ayrton Azzopardi and new recruit Emerson Marcelina with Andrea Cassar and Daniel Zerafa starting on the bench and Rogelio Avila left out of the squad.

Tarxien had a golden opportunity to take the lead on the 14th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Felix Udoh Okon brought Ayrton Azzopardi down inside the area; however from the penalty spot, Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos’ effort was partially saved by goalkeeper Jake Galea and off the rebound, Daniel Ponce de Leon Garcia’s low shot was blocked once again by the St. Andrews goalkeeper.

St. Andrews managed to take the lead eight minutes in the second half when off a Joseph Farrugia corner, Kyrian Nwoko headed the ball home.

On the 67th minute, the Saints were reduced to ten men after Ante Bakmaz was sent off. Two minutes from time, Tarxien also had a player sent off as Ebiabowei Baker received a second yellow card for a late tackle in midfield.

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ST. ANDREWS Jake Galea, Ante Bakmaz, Michael Johnson, Karlo Kesinovic, Felix Udoh Okon, Dale Camilleri, Joseph Farrugia, Daniel Brandle, Kyrian Nwoko (74′ Jacob Walker), Ryan Darmanin (68′ Bon Won Che), Ziga Kastrevec (87′ Ivan Edgardo Paz).
Subs not used: Dean Sciberras, Ryan Sammut, Liam Grech, Mark Scicluna.
Coach: Jose Borg

TARXIEN Philip Schranz, Ebiabowei Baker, Triston Caruana, Daniel Ponce de Leon Garcia, Alex Nilsson, Ayrton Azzopardi (37′ Matthew Brincat)(77′ Daniel Zerafa), Emerson Marcelina, Sergio Fernandez Prendes, Alex da Paixao Alves, Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos (61′ Dylan Micallef), Kurt Zammit.
Subs not used: Andrea Cassar, Luke Zahra, Daniel Zerafa, Matthew Tabone, Sacha Borg.
Coach: Jacques Scerri

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Assistant Referees: Thomas Debono, David Castillo
Fourth Official: Clayton Pisani
Yellow Cards: Bakmaz, Udoh Okon, Baker, Kastrevec, Marcelina
Red Cards: 67′ Ante Bakmaz, 88′ Ebaiabowei Baker
Scorers: 53′ Kyrian Nwoko
BOV Player of the Match: Jake Galea