BOV Premier League | Valletta 1 – Tarxien Rainbows 1
Leandro Aguirre scored late to rescue a point for Valletta against Tarxien Rainbows.
Tarxien created the first chance of the match on the 12th minute. From a free kick, Aguirre sent a shot that was well saved by Philip Schranz.
The Rainbows kept on insisting in attack and nearly scored on the 19th minute. Ayrton Azzopardi sent a cross inside the penalty area which Dziugas Bartkus failed to neutralise. Possession fell for Sergio Fernandez Prendes who sent a shot from distance which the Valletta defence managed to anticipate in time.
Valletta hit back on the 28th minute. Maximiliano Valasco served Santiago Malano and the latter hit a shot from outside the penalty area that went slightly wide.
However, Tarxien managed to go ahead on the 57th minute. Alex Nilsson went on a good run and fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area that gave Bartkus no chance.
Jesmond Zerafa’s side nearly scored again five minutes later. Ryan Camilleri sent a short pass towards Bartkus with the ball crossing Nilsson's path, but the Valletta goalkeeper managed to neutralise before the ball could cross the goal line.
On the 76th minute, Tarxien lost another golden opportunity. Triston Caruana sent a pass towards the unmarked Nilsson who from an ideal position finished wide.
On the 90th minute, Valletta punished Tarxien for losing these opportunities by scoring the equalising goal. From a free kick, Aguirre hit a low shot past Schranz.
Tarxien Rainbows starting line-up: Philip Schranz, Ebiabaowei Baker, Emerson Marcelina, Triston Caruana, Daniel Ponce De Leon Garcia, Alex Nilsson, Ayrton Azzopardi, Sergio Fernandez Prendes, Daniel Zerafa, Matthew Tabone, Kurt Zammit.
Valletta starting line-up: Dziugas Bartkus, Jonathan Caruana, Steve Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Santiago Malano, Tomas Radzinevicius, Claudio Pani, Umeh Uchenna Calistus, Leandro Aguirre, Rowen Muscat, Maximiliano Velasco.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Paul Apap
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna
BOV Player of the Match: Alex Nillson (Tarxien Rainbows)