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maltatoday SUNDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2017 Sport 48 FOOTBALL Tarxien clinch second-half equaliser with Senglea to win first point PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG Tarxien Rainbows ....... 1 Senglea Athletic ......... 1 WARREN ZAMMIT TARXIEN Rainbows won their first point the Premier League after holding Senglea in a 1-1 draw. Senglea threatened Tarxien after just eleven seconds, when Augustu Rene Caseras sent a shot from the edge of the pen- alty area that was neutralised by Christian Cassar. Steve Damato's side created another chance on the 5th min- ute. Nicola Palmieri received the ball inside the penalty area and hit a shot that was once more saved by Cassar. The effor put in by Senglea's players paid off on the 24th min- ute. Ivan Paz went past a defend- er and fired a low shot that gave Cassar no chance. Tarxen hit back a minute later. From a corner, Ayrton Azzopar- di delivered a cross that was met by Ricardo Silva Faria whose header went slightly wide. A minute from half-time time, James Brincat went through on the left side of the penalty area, but found Timmy Aquilina in his way. Senglea's shot-stopper rushed out of his position and blocked Brincat's shot. The Rainbows created the first chance of the second half on the 53rd minute. Silva Faria hit a low shot from inside the penalty area that sailed marginally wide. Tarxien equalised on the 67th minute. Following a cross by Ar- tur Benes, Ryan Darmaninin an- ticipated two defenders and hit a strong shot that went behind Aquilina. Darmanin tried his luck again five minutes later. The Tarxien striker hit a drive from outside the penalty area that was saved by Aquilina. Jose Borg's side kept on insist- ing and had another opportu- nity on the 74th minute. Ayrton Azzopardi's shot from distance went off target. Senglea's supporters protested for a penalty on the 77th min- ute when Terrince Vella was brought down inside the penalty area. However, the referee was not interested in the protests and signalled play on. Cassar had to be alert to deny Senglea on the 80th minute. Au- gustu Rene Caseras sent Terrence Vella through on goal. The latter ran in- side the penalty area, but saw his shot being saved by Cassar. In the latter stages of the match, Sen- glea made desperate attempts to regain the lead. However, they were up against an organised de- fence. In fact , their only chance on goal came in the addi- tional time when Caseras met Paz's cross from a corner and headed over. Tarxien Rainbows starting line-up: Christian Cassar, An- dre Charles Scicluna, Ayrton Azzopardi, James Brincat, Luke Grech, Ryan Darmanin, Ricardo Silva Faria, Sean Cipriott, God- win McKay, Ebiabowei Baker, Eduard Marian Calin Senglea Athletic starting line- up: Timmy Aquilina, Jonathan Bondin, Steve Bonnici, Anto- nio Terraciono, Matias Garzia, Gonzalo Nicolas Virano, Nicola Palmieri, Ivan Paz, Agustu Rene Caseras, Terrince Vella, Lulian Leyton Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann Assistant Referees: Duncan Sul- tana, Ryan Aquilina Yellow Cards: Paz (Senglea), Baker (Tarxien), Calin (Tarxien), Bondin (Senglea), Silva Faria (Tarxien) Fourth Of ficial: Ishmael Bar- bara BOV Player of the Match: Ivan Paz (Senglea Athletic) Tarxien Rainbows won their first point the Premier League after holding Senglea in a 1-1 draw