After two draws in their first two outings, Hamrun Spartans registered their first win as they defeated Tarxien Rainbows by the odd goal in five in a match at the Centenary Stadium on Friday.
Tarxien, on the other hand, concede a third consecutive defeat and therefore remain at the bottom of the table without any points.
Hamrun were unlucky on the 7th minute not to forge ahead when Ailton Jorge Soares served Soufiane Lagzir whose first-time effort hit the crossbar.
The Spartans, however, took the lead on the 15th minute when off a cross by Marco Criaco, Soufiane Lagzir hit home past goalkeeper Rudy Briffa.
Four minutes later, the Rainbows levelled matters thanks to Thomas Veronese whose powerful drive from outside the area gave goalkeeper Jean Claude Debattista no chance.
Three minutes from the end of the first half, Ailton Jorge Soares had a fine effort blocked by Briffa and off the rebound, Domoraud’s shot was neutralised by the Tarxien goalkeeper.
On the way to the dressing room, at the end of the first half, Destin Mambouana and Hamrun Spartans reserve goalkeeper Manuel Bartolo were both sent off. Therefore Tarxien had to continue playing the second half in ten men.
Ailton Jorge Soares had a powerful long-distance shot ending just wide on the 53rd minute. Six minutes later, a freekick by Criaco was parried by Briffa. On the other side of the pitch, a solo effort by Aleksa Andrejic ended with a shot from outside the area ending high.
Hamrun regained the lead on the hour when off a cross by Marco Criaco, Wilfried Domoraud slotted the ball past Rudy Briffa.
But a minute later, Tarxien restored equilibrium thanks to Aleksa Andrejic who hit home from close range after a cross from the left was not controlled by the Hamrun defence.
Ailton Jorge Soares had a shot from outside the area neutralised by Briffa aided by the crossbar on the 75th.
Eight minutes from time, the Tarxien goalkeeper brought Wilfried Domoraud down inside the area and from the penalty spot, the same player made no mistake to put Hamrun 3-2 ahead.
TARXIEN Rudy Briffa, Thomas Veronese, Destin Mambouana, Matthew Spiteri, Misael Miranda Gomez, Aleksa Andrejic, Mihajlo Jelic (46′ Gary Camilleri), Brooke Farrugia (83′ Brandon Muscat), Daniel Zerafa, Jairo Andres Tenorio Viveros, Marko Stanojevic (89′ Miguel Ciantar).
Subs not used: Jamie Pace, Daniel Vassallo, Neil Baldacchino, Dale Tabone.
Coach: Marko Glumac
Asst. Coach: Demis Paul ScerriHAMRUN Jean Claude Debattista, Triston Caruana, Ailton Jorge Soares, Wilfried Domoraud, Clayton Failla, Nicola Leone (72′ Ryan Darmanin), Soufiane Lagzir (89′ Bradley Schembri), Marco Criaco, Karl Micallef, Orestis Nikolopoulos, Mattia Cinquini.
Subs not used: Manuel Bartolo, Karl Luke Schembri, Christopher Galea, Darren Borg, Miguel Tabone.
Coach: Manuele Blasi
Asst. Coach: Fabrizio AntoniniReferee: Daniel Portelli
Assistant Referees: Christopher Francalanza, James Muscat
Fourth Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
Yellow Cards: Micallef, Farrugia, Stanojevic, Mambouana, Caruana, Spiteri
Red Cards: 45+2′ Destin Mambouana, Manuel Bartolo (off the bench)
BOV Player of the Match: Wilfried DomoraudAttendance: 318