Tarxien Rainbows fight back to set up relegation rematch against Żabbar

ŻABBAR SP   3

Jovancic 90

Cejas 93

TARXIEN RAINBOWS

Panic 67; Valverde 103; Nhayson 119

Nhayson 119

(after extra-time; 90 mins: 1-1)

Tarxien Rainbows continued to live to fight another day after producing a spirited comeback in extra-time to overcome Żabbar St Patrick in a five-goal thriller to prevail in the play-off for tenth place and stay alive in the relegation battle.

It looked as though the Rainbows were set to suffer a heart-breaking defeat as after conceding a last-gasp equaliser that took them to extra-time, they suffered another simmering blow when Żabbar turned the match around with a second goal.

But Tarxien refused to buckle and they gradually started to regain control of the match and after Valverde brought them level with a spectacular strike it was Nhayson who grabbed the winner that ensured that Tarxien will play a second relegation play-off against the same Żabbar on Sunday.

Given the high stakes of the match it was inevitable that both teams started the match a bit nervous with the result that scoring chances were a rarity in the opening 23 minutes.

It was Tarxien who were dictating play as they held long spells of possession with  Claudio Henri   que at the heart of their moves but they only had a Nhaysson header to show for their efforts but it was easily saved by goalkeeper Manuel Djallo.

Żabbar St Patrick finally threatened on 34 minutes when Ryan Scicluna was found in space on the edge of the area but his low drive was well saved by Tarxien goalkeeper Miguel Spiteri.

On 38 minutes, Henrique seized possession outside the Żabbar area but the Brazilian’s shot lacked precision as it sailed wide.

Five minutes from the break, Spiteri again distinguished himself in the Tarxien goal when he dived to his right to push away Brian Gambarte’s firm drive.

The young Tarxien goalkeeper made an even better save three minutes later when he showed great reflexes to prevent the ball from going beyond the goalline after his team-mate Marko Musulin deflected Mayok’s cross towards his own goal.

The Rainbows started brightly in teh seond half and on 48 minutes Anthony Lokosa hit a thumping drive that was turned to a corner by goalkeeper Djallo.

Tarxien’s pressure paid off on 67 minutes when they took the lead.

From a corner action, taken by Henrique, Petar Panic hit a thumping drive that gave no chance to Djallo.

Żabbar tried to step up th epressure but it was Tarxien who threatened when Nhaysson hit a firm drive that was somehow kept out by Djallo.

On 82 minutes, Lokosa connected to the ball on the edge of the area but his firm drive flew over.

Tarxien had a golden opportunity to kill off the match a minute from time when Marko Musulin won the ball inside the area but was denied by the onrushing Djallo.

The Rainbows almost paid dearly for this miss as when play restarted the woodwork denied Żabbar an equaliser when Jovancic’s header came of the bar with Spiteri beaten.

Three minutes into stoppage time, Spiteri was Tarxien’s hero when the young goalkeeper charged out of his goal to deny Gambarte who was through on goal.

When it looked as though Tarxien had survived the onslaught Żabbar struck with virtually the last kick off the match.

Spiteri mistimed his attempt to clutch the ball and Mayok quickly squared the ball to Jovancic who fired home to force extra-time.

Żabbar continued where they left off in extra-time as in the third minute they took the lead.

Mayok’s cross found Cejas and his firm header had the better of Spiteri.

But Tarxien refused to throw in the towel and on 103 minutes, Nhaysson’s cross was deflected into the path of Valverde who hit a thumping volley that flew into the top corner.

The goal gave more belief to Tarxien who completed the comeback on 118 minutes when Musulin’s low cross was met by Nhayson who fired home to keep his team’s hopes in this year’s relegation battle.