Wanderers turn defeat into victory

BOV-Premier-LeagueSliema Wanderers came from behind to beat Tarxien Rainbows 2-1 at the National Stadium on Sunday to return to winning ways after a most disappointing 0-3 defeat to St. Andrews in their previous outing.

For Tarxien, who were coming from back-to-back wins over Floriana and Hamrun, this was the third defeat this season.

From the last game for Sliema, Beppe Muscat, Milos Galin and Aidan Friggieri made way for Gabriel Aquilina Peter Xuereb, Jean Paul Farrugia. On the other hand, for Tarxien, Andrea Cassar and Sergio Fernandez Prendez replaced Philip Schranz and Claudio Frances. Missing from the game due to injuries were Sliema goalkeeper Giuseppe Sarao and defender Stefano Bianciardi and Tarxien’s Ayrton Azzopardi.

The Rainbows took the lead on the 15th minute when off a corner, the ball was slightly deflected by a Sliema defender and Ebiabowei Baker headed home past Glenn Zammit.

Tarxien were in control and went close with attempts by Daniel Ponce de Leon Garcia and Alex Nilsson. However two minutes from the end of the first half, Mathias Muchardi hit the upright for Sliema with a freekick from just outside the area.

Daniel Ponce de Leon hit the foot of the post six minutes in the second half following a cross by Alex da Paixao Alves.

Sliema levelled matters on the 61st minute when Alex Muscat sent Michel Wisdom Salomon through and the latter beat two defenders on the run, beating goalkeeper Andrea Cassar with a shot half height.

Nine minutes from time, Alex Nilsson was unlucky to hit the upright for Tarxien with a shot from close range.

However four minutes later, Sliema notched the winner when off a Ryan Spiteri corner, the ball was deflected by a defender and Marko Potezica hit home.

SLIEMA Glenn Zammit, Alex Muscat, Gary Muir, Gabriel Aquilina (90+2’ Armando dos Santos Tarlaziz Viera), Peter Xuereb, Michel Wisdom Salomon Aka (86’ Aiden Jake Friggieri), Mathias Mucchardi, John Mintoff, Mark Scerri (79’ Ryan Spiteri), Jean Paul Farrugia, Marko Potezica.
Subs not used: Timothy Aquilina, Giuseppe Muscat, Michele Sansone, Milos Galin.
Coach: John Buttigieg

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Ebiabowei Baker, Triston Caruana, Daniel Ponce de Leon Garcia, Alex Nilsson, Emerson Marcellina (65’ Claudio Daniel Frances), Sergio Fernandez Prendez, Daniel Zerafa, Alex da Paixao Alves, Matthew Tabone (87’ Dylan Micallef), Kurt Zammit.
Subs not used: Philip Schranz, Matthew Brincat, Luke Zahra, Julian Galea, Sacha Borg.
Coach: Jacques Scerri

Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Stefan Pace
Yellow Cards: Mintoff, Zerafa
Scorers: 15’ Ebiabowei Baker, 61’ Wisdom Salomon, 85’ Marko Potezica
BOV Player of the Match: Alex Da Paixao Alves