Own goal gives Tarxien Rainbows a dramatic 3-2 win

An own goal three minutes in added time enabled Tarxien Rainbows to return to winning ways as they defeated Hamrun Spartans 3-2 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

A win which puts the Rainbows one point behind St. Andrews and two behind Hamrun. For the Spartans, this was the second consecutive defeat and the fourth defeat in the last six matches.

The Spartans had three changes as goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone replaced the injured Matthew Farrugia while Christian Maldini and Saturday Nanapere replaced the suspended Luis Vergara Rodrigues and Sergio Raphael. On the other hand, Tarxien coach Jesmond Zerafa confirmed the same line-up of the last game against Floriana.

Tarxien managed to take the lead on the 11th minute when off an assist by Alex da Paixao Alves from the right, Julian Galea slotted the ball past goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone.

Hamrun equalised thirteen minutes in the second half when off a Jake Grech cross, Luke Sciberras served Massimiliano Giusti who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Andrea Cassar.

Five minutes later, the Spartans forged ahead thanks to Massimiliano Giusti who placed the ball at the back of the net from close range after a shot was partially saved by the Tarxien custodian.

Fifteen minutes from time, Tarxien restored the equilibrium thanks to a Matthew Tabone header off a freekick from the right.

Three minutes in added time, the Rainbows notched the winner when off a corner from the right, Philip Chircop headed the ball past goalkeeper Tabone for an own goal.

HAMRUN Fredrick Tabone, Mark Anthony Borg (35′ Glenn Azzopardi), Philip Chircop, Luke Sciberras, Christian Maldini, Massimiliano Giusti (90′ Rodney Refalo), Luke Grech, Leandro Wallace Motta dos Santos, Jake Grech, Saturday Nanapere (79′ Trevor Cilia), Patrick Jean Teixeira Maia.
Subs not used: Lydon Moore, Daniel Debono, Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza, Daren Falzon.
Assistant Coach: Stefan Sultana

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Ebiabowei Baker, Emerson Marcelina, Julian Galea (64′ Andrew Agius), Triston Caruana (73′ Dylan Micallef), Daniel Ponce de Leon Garcia, Alex Nilsson, Alex da Paixao Alves, Matthew Tabone, Kurt Zammit, Sacha Borg.
Subs not used: Philip Schranz, Luke Zahra, Daniel Caruana, Matthew Degiorgio, Matthew Sladden.
Coach: Jesmond Zerafa

Referee: Esther Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Sammy Attard, Peter Abela
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna
Yellow Cards: Giusti, Chircop, Tabone, Cilia
BOV Player of the Match: Massimiliano Giusti