Sliema Wanderers see off Birkirkara to attain mathematical certainy of top-flight status

Tarxien Rainbows boost hopes of avoiding relegation with derby triumph

SLIEMA WANDERERS         1       

Pisani 53

BIRKIRKARA          0

Sliema Wanderers registered their first win in the Bottom 6 as a freekick by Steve Pisani early in the second half handed them a narrow win over Birkirkara.

Although nobody expected the Wanderers to be involved in this season’s relegation battle given their healthy points tally, the win against the Stripes all but earned them mathematical certainty that they cannot finish in the bottom two places of the standings.

The clash between the two teams in the top two places of the Bottom 6 turned out to be a rather balanced affair with few shots at goal throughout the 90 minutes.

The Stripes had two changes from the team which narrowly defeated Zabbar St. Patrick as Roni Santos and the returning Franklin Sasere replaced the suspended Geoffrey Acheampong and Kemar Reid.

Sliema, on the other hand, welcomed back Adam Magri Overend, Steve Pisani and Thiaguinho in the starting line-up.

Luke Montebello was handed a rare start. Nikolai Micallef, Edmond Agus, Wescley and Mohamed Awad were all among the substitutes.

Birkirkara started brightly and on 11 minutes a cross shot by Aleandro Garzia from the right was saved by Rashed Al Tumi.

But six minutes later, Fernandinho released Djuranovic on the right and the Montenegrin picked Luke Montebello, who had a powerful shot from the left neutralised by Martinez.

Five minutes from the end of the first half, Djuranovic headed high off a cross by Magri Overend from the right.

Three minutes in the second half, Macula released Morello on the left for Birkirkara and off the latter’s cross, Aleandro Garzia’s header was parried by Al Tumi.

Sliema, however, managed to take the lead on 53 minutes. Steve Pisani delivered a great freekick which gave goalkeeper Miguel Martinez no chance.

Birkirkara’s reaction was quite timid and the Wanderers controlled without particular difficulty.

In fact, after threatening with a cross shot from the right by Leandro Lacunza which was, however, parried by Al Tumi on 78 minutes, Garzia had a free kick from the right saved by the Sliema goalkeeper deep in stoppage time.

SLIEMA WANDERERS

R. Al Tumi, J. Borg, A. Magri Overend, L. Montebello (85’ E. Agius), U. Djuranovic (85’ V. Plut), R. Prsa (78’ Wescley), G. Alcino, M. Freire (69’ N. Frendo), S. Pisani, T. Espindola, F. Gomes (78’ M. Awad).

BIRKIRKARA

M. Martinez, F. Lopez (69’ J. Vrcic), M. Morello, F. Sasere (61’ J. Bayo), L. Macula, J. Busuttil (86’ K. Fenech), L. Lacunza, N. Micallef, A. Coppola, R. Santos, A. Garzia.

Referee: Slobodan Petrovic

Yellow cards: G. Alcino, L. Macula

TARXIEN RAINBOWS 3

Musulin 10; Murici 45; Valverde 61

HIBERNIANS 2

Miullen 17; Charleston 23

Tarxien Rainbows scored a huge win in their fight to avoid relegation when they overcame neighbouring rivals Hibernians 3-2 at the Tony Bezzina Stadium.

It was a real show of character from Jacques Scerri’s Rainbows as they managed to keep their poise throughout their game and their resilience enabled them to turn the match and around and clinch three valuable points.

It was a huge win for Tarxien, who have now moved level on points with Żabbar St Patrick who face bottom-placed Mosta on Wednesday evening.

Tarxien were off to a strong start and took just ten minutes to take the lead through Marko Musulin.

Hibernians kept their composure and slowly they grew into the match and managed to turn the match around with two goals in quick succession midway through the first half.

Miullen netted the equaliser on 17 and his fellow Brazilian Charleston put the Paolites ahead on 23 minutes.

Tarxien refused to buckled and just before the half-time interval they were awarded a penalty and Claudio Murici made no mistake from the spot to make it 2-2.

It was anyone’s game now and Tarxien continued to push forward and their efforts were rewarded just past the hour mark when Angel Valverde fired home the winner.