Żejtun Corinthians beat Tarxien to boost survival hopes

ŻEJTUN CORINTHIANS               3           

Reid 23; Vieira 57

Barboza 86

TARXIEN RAINBOWS   1           

Gatt 78

ŻEJTUN CORINTHIANS

C. Cassar-6, D. Albanese-6 (55 G. Bugeja), L. Moreira-6, A. Carabott-6 (72 J. Suda), K. Reid-7, T. Bonfim-6, C. Grech-6, S. Barboza-6.5 (90 D. Agius), V. Vieira-7, N. Tabone-6, Anderson-6.

TARXIEN RAINBOWS

D. Fernandes-6, C. Conceicao-6, B. Muscat-5.5, E. Zarate-6, D. Zerafa-5.5, D. Falzon-6, V. Plut-6, J. Debono-6, E. Rosado-5.5, L. Ferreira-5.5 (77 K. Gatt), E. Ssekisambu-5.5.

Referee: Andrea Sciriha.

Yellow cards: Fernandes, Falzon, Albanese, Zarate, Zerafa, Plut, Debono, Suda.

BOV Player of the match: Vitor Vieira (Żejtun Corinthians).

Żejtun Corinthians collected three precious points in the battle against relegation as they returned to winning ways, defeating Tarxien Rainbows 3-1.

The win which puts Orosco Anonam’s side fifth from bottom, two points ahead of Balzan and seven ahead of Tarxien, who, however, have a game in hand.

For the Rainbows, this was  the fifth consecutive defeat.

The Rainbows had new recruits Carlos Chaba, Leozinho and Erisa Ssekisambu making their debut but their inclusion failed to make the desired impact on Winston Muscat’s side. On the other hand, Sergio Barboza left a very good impression as he made his first appearance for Żejtun.

Tarxien held the initiative in the early stages, going close after just four minutes when, Vito Plut‘s effort was parried by goalkeeper Christian Cassar.

Żejtun managed to take the lead on 23 minutes. Kemar Reid concluded a fine solo effort on the left, rounding three defenders before beating Daniel Fernandes with a fine shot.

The Corinthians were now in command and on 31 minutes, they threatened once again with a shot from outside the area by Vitor Vieira, when served by Barboza from the right.

Tarxien could have equalised two minutes from the end of the first half.

Plut had a powerful shot from the right partially saved by Cassar and off the rebound, Ssekisambu missed a good opportunity, concluding wide from close range.

Twelve minutes in the second half, Żejtun doubled the score.

Reid advanced on the right flank and delivered a cross for Vieira who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Fernandes.

The Corinthians maintained the pressure and on 63 minutes, off another cross by Reid, Vieira headed wide.

Five minutes later, Barboza had a fine shot from outside the area deflected into a corner by Fernandes.

The Rainbows pulled one back on 78 minutes. Edison Bilbao Zarate released Plut on the right and off the latter’s cross, substitute Kyle Gatt, who had just replaced Leozinho, slotted the ball past the Żejtun custodian.

Tarxien almost made it 2-2 six minutes later. A cross shot from the right was somehow blocked by Cassar and off the rebound, Ssekisambu hit the upright with an angled shot.

However four minutes from time, the Corinthians put victory beyond any doubts.

Reid was the provider once again with a cross from the right and Sergio Barboza hit low past Fernandes.