Tarxien, Birkirkara play out uneventful stalemate

TARXIEN RAINBOWS 0-0 BIRKIRKARA

Referee: Joseph Scerri.

Yellow cards: Morello, Reid, Valverde.

Tarxien Rainbows and Birkirkara shared the spoils in a goalless draw in their penultimate Bottom Six clash, in a match that offered very little in terms of spectacle.

For Tarxien, the point does little to ease relegation concerns as they continue to battle to avoid a bottom-two finish. Birkirkara, meanwhile, had little at stake, having already secured their top-flight status.

The opening stages were largely uneventful, with neither side managing to create clear-cut chances. Tarxien were forced into an early defensive reshuffle on 24 minutes when Yilson Mosquera picked up an injury and was replaced by Sheldon Mizzi.

The Rainbows came closest to breaking the deadlock when Luke Anthony Borg attempted an audacious lob, but Birkirkara goalkeeper Miguel Martinez reacted well to deny him. Shortly after, Claudio Murici saw his effort from inside the area deflected behind for a corner as Tarxien looked most threatening on the counter.

On 31 minutes, Tarxien opted to use their Football Video Support (FVS) card to appeal for a penalty, but the referee waved play on, judging there was no clear infringement.

Birkirkara’s response came through Franklin Sasere, whose effort drifted wide, as both sides went into the break still searching for a breakthrough.

The Stripes introduced Manuel Morello at half-time, but it was Tarxien who continued to look the more dangerous side early in the second half, with Murici firing wide from the edge of the area.

Birkirkara gradually grew into the game, with Donovan Makoma testing Miguel Spiteri, who dealt with the attempt comfortably. Tarxien were then forced into another change on 52 minutes, as Neil Micallef was replaced by Shaun Dimech due to injury.

Makoma later tried his luck with a curling effort that narrowly missed the target, as Birkirkara showed more intent after the restart.

Tarxien used their second FVS card in another appeal for a penalty, but once again the referee was unmoved.

The best chance of the match arrived on 72 minutes when Martinez miscued a pass straight to Anthony Lokosa, but the Tarxien forward failed to capitalise, sending his effort wide with the goal at his mercy.

Birkirkara made further attacking changes, including the introduction of Jacques Bayo, but struggled to make a decisive impact.

In the end, neither side could find a breakthrough as the match finished in a stalemate.