Tarxien Rainbows and Żabbar St Patrick win to force relegation decider

Both the Rainbows and the Saints were in search of maximum points in the hope of avoiding a bottom-two placing, but with both teams taking all spoils, they will be facing each other in a decider that will define their destiny in the Premier League next season.

Following yesterday’s results, Tarxien and Żabbar remained tied on 15 points in sixth place and will face each other in a decider.

Should Tarxien win, two relegation play-offs will be played that will also involve Mosta and Naxxar Lions, the two teams that finished bottom in the Opening Round and the Closing Round.

If, on the other hand, if Żabbar win the decider, Tarxien will be relegated and Mosta and Naxxar will face each other in a relegation play-off.

Tarxien produced a fighting display to beat Sliema Wanderers 2-1 at the Centenary Stadium.

The Rainbows were off to a flier as they took the lead after only eight minutes of play when Claudio Murici cross was inadvertently deflected by Sliema defender Neil Frendo into his own net.

But the Wanderers managed to level matters on 27 minutes when Luke Borg fouled Vito Plut from inside the area and from the spot, Edmond Agius, who was playing his final competitive match for Sliema before retirement, made no mistake.

Tarxien thought they restored their lead in stoppage time when Patrick Schmidt fired home by the Football Video Support annulled the goal.

Murici was unlucky not to put Tarxien back in front but his shot was cleared off the line.

But Tarxien did find the winner on 69 minutes when Lokosa’s shot hit the arm of Agius and the referee, after consulting FVS, pointed to the spot.

Manny Aguek made no mistake from the resulting penalty to hand a vital win for Tarxien.

At the National Stadium, Mario Fontanella inspired Żabbar St Patrick to a dominant 3-0 win over Hibernians.

The Saints were all over their opponents right from the outset and Fontanella should have fired them ahead on 20 minutes but the Italian forward was denied by the onrushing Hugo Sacco.

But the Italian made amends on 31 minutes when he was put clear by Brian Gambarte, and he chipped the ball over Sacco.

Three minutes later, Ayom Mayok sped clear on the right and saw his shot come off the bar. But from the rebound, Fontanella was alert to stab home.

After the break, Żabbar all but wrapped up the win on 54 minutes when Mayok hit a thumping volley with the ball finishing past Sacco.

That goal all but settled the match as from then on, Żabbar easily administered their advantage.

In  the  other Bottom 6 clash, Birkirkara and Mosta took a point each following a 1-1 draw

Franklin Sasere fired Birkirkara ahead on 31 minutes when he beat goalkeeper Farrugia from close in.

But Mosta kept fighting and managed to level matters on 75 minutes when Luke Urpani hit a thumping drive that gave no chance to Martinez.