Polito’s late strike rescues Ħamrun Spartans against newly-promoted Tarxien Rainbows

TARXIEN RAINBOWS             1         

Junior 4

ĦAMRIUN SPARTANS        1         

Polito 76

TARXIEN RAINBOWS

A. Cassar, W. Salomao, T. Santos, O. Leal De Barros (81 R. Tavares), J. Bastos (71 W. Dos Santos), C. Barbosa, E. Junior (60 G. Vella), N. Da Silva, L. Zango, A. Vella, M. Grima.

ĦAMRUN

Celio, N. Micallef, S. Xerri, D. Letherby (68 J. Mbong), S. Thioune, V. Polito, J. Cadjenovic (13 M. Garcia), R. Mihana (46 S. Attard), D. Simkus, M. El Fanis (46 A. Coric), M. Hadzi (80 R. Camenzuli).

Referee: Ezekiel Barbara.

Yellow cards: Grima, Simkus, Micallef, Cassar, Barbosa, De Barros.

Ħamrun Spartans rescued a point in a 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Tarxien Rainbows.

The Spartans, who were coming from the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round commitments against Maccabi Tel-Aviv, expected something better from this clash but in front of them, they found a determined side that managed to take an early lead and show grit throughout the 90 minutes.

Since taking the runner-up spot in the Challlenge League last season, Tarxien strengthened their squad with several new players and, coach Jacques Scerri’s starting line-up featured just Claudio Barbosa from last season’s squad, with the other ten players making their debut.

On the other hand, Ħamrun coach Giacomo Modica opted to rest some of the players who were featuring regularly in their European commitments, including Henry Bonello, Ryan Camenzuli and Joseph Mbong, starting with Celio in goal, including Nikolai Micallef, Sven Xerri and Daniel Letherby in the starting XI.

To make matters worse, Jovan Cadjenovic abandoned the pitch injured within the first quarter of an hour.

The Rainbows had a perfect start, taking the lead after just four minutes. Nhayson Da Silva delivered a cross from the right and Erico Junior headed home.

Ħamrun replied with a cross from the right by Merlin Hadzi from which Mouad El Fanis controlled the ball before hitting just wide on 16 minutes.

Two minutes later, Hadzi concluded a good move on the right with a shot from outside the area, which ended just over the bar.

On 28 minutes, Domantas Simkus tested Tarxien custodian Andrea Cassar with a low shot from outside the area. 

Just before the end of the first half, Hadzi had a shot from the edge of the area which scraped past the post.

For the second half, Modica replaced Mihana and El Fanis with Ante Coric and Shaisen Attard but the Spartans were still struggling to penetrate the Tarxien rear-guard.

On the hour, Hadzi received a good cross from the right by Saliou Thioune but the Swiss was anticipated by Andrea Cassar. Seven minutes later, the Tarxien goalkeeper blocked Merlin Hadzi’s effort direct from a corner.

On 67 minutes, the Tarxien goalkeeper blocked Merlin Hadzi’s effort direct from a corner.

Ħamrun notched the equaliser on 76 minutes. Substitute Ante Coric delivered a freekick from the right and Vincenzo Polito slotted the ball past Cassar.

In the final stages, the Spartans went all out in search of the winner but Tarxien kept their opponents under control.

And with a bit more of luck, it could have been even three had the crossbar not denied Claudio Da Silva Barbosa’s direct freekick seven minutes in added time.