Tarxien R 1
Zejtun C 0
Tarxien R: A. Cassar, S. Radovanovic, E. Baker, G. Aquilina, J. Brincat, A. Agius, L. Grech, A. Scicluna, S. Tounkara, R. Faria (W. De Oliveira Viera 91 min), S. Cipriott (G. McKay 71 min)
Zejtun C: D. Zarb, C. Giordemaina (G. Sultana 80 min), D. Albanese, N. Tabone (R. Dalli 86 min), Y. Camilleri, B. Farrugia, O. Elhussieny, A. Smeir (Elland Vella 58 min), A. Carabott, J. Sato, J. Castano.
Referee: Stefan Pace
Ass.Referees: Edward Spiteri, Duncan Sultana
Fourth Official: William Debattista
Additional Ass. Referees: Jude Amin Utulu, Philip Farrugia
Scorer: James Brincat 7min
Yellow cards: D. Albanese, B. Farrugia, A. Carabott, J. Castano, E. Vella, G. Sultana, G. Aquilina, R. Faria, G. McKay
Red cards: G. Aquilina 77 min, Elland vella 84 min
Attendance: 1871
An early goal scored by James Brincat proved to be enough for Tarxien in an exciting play off played in front of a very good crowd. Tarxien dominated the first half as after they scored their goal they had several scoring opportunities of putting the game to bed, even hitting the upright through the inform Tounkara.
In the second half it was a completely different story with Zejtun forcing their opponents in their own half with Cassar making an outstanding save to keep his side in the game. Zejtun played a great match in the second half and deserved to force the match to extra time.
But in the end the final whistle of an outstanding Stefan Pace found Tarxien stil in the Premier and Zejtun still hoping to make it next year.
Zejtun started like a house on fire even going near with a Brooke Farrugia header on four minutes. But in their first real attack on seven minutes Tarxien broke the deadlock. It was a swift and clinical move by Tounkara who made his way past a couple of Zejtun defenders before passing the ball towards James Brincat who easily beat Zarb with a low shot.
Two minutes later Zejtun missed a golden opportunity when captain Carabott shot wide when well placed.
But Tarxien were always menacing in their breaks and on 14 minutes Zejtun goalkeeper Zarb charged out of position to block Tounkara. Two minutes later another slick move from the Tarxien forwards with Tounkara, Faria and Brincat in the move with the latter's shot brilliantly saved by Zarb.
On 35 minutes Tounkara dribbled a couple of defenders but his shot missed the target and on 38 minutes Tarxien were unlucky when a Tounkara header smashed against the upright.
Just before the break Carabott missed another good opportunity when he shot wide when well placed.
On the resumption Zejtun were a transformed lot as they pushed their opponents in their own half, with Tarxien unable to repeat their dangerous fast breaks as they did in the first fourty five minutes.
On the hour Sato's drive went slightly over the bar and three minutes later a Castano low drive was well saved by Cassar. On 65 minutes Zejtun had their best opportunity when from a Sato cross from the left Castano's header destined for the back of the net was brilliantly saved by Cassar.
On 69 minutes Zejtun went close again when a Yessous Camilleri header was cleared off the goal line by Tounkara who gave a helping hand in defence as Tarxien were in evident trouble.
On 77 minutes Tarxien were down to ten men when hard working Gabriel Aquilina received a second booking. Zejtun now pushed desperately forward with another Castano header just missing the target.
The last minutes were exciting with Zejtun throwing everything in attack and with Tarxien defending with all their might. On 84 minutes Zejtun were down to ten too when substitute Elland Vella received a second booking.
The remaining minutes and seven minutes of stoppage time produced some nervous moments but the Tarxien managed to hold to their slender lead to keep their Premiership status.
from The Malta Independent https://ift.tt/2HwCr0n
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment