MARSAXLOKK 1
Carniello 84
SIRENS 2
Bento 62, Tachikawa 75
MARSAXLOKK
M. Drobnjak-5, A. Attard-5.5, K. Keqi-4, O. Serrano (8 A. Effiong), P. Xuereb-5, J. Aguilar-5, O. Carniello-6, L. Aguirre-5, F. Moracci-6.5, D. Vukanovic-5.5 ( 46E. Vella-5), D. Agius (17 Wellington-5.5)
SIRENS
M. Grech-5, G. Camilleri-4, M. Pereira-6, K. Sano-, R. Tachikawa-6.5, J. Walker-5.5 (86 S. Arab), A. Cini-5, V. Bento-7, I. Kolev-6 (90 M. Maggi), G. Fernandes-6 (46 Weder-6), D. Jackson-5 (73 S. Sessegnon).
Referee: Darryl Agius.
Yellow cards: Moracci, Sano, Carniello, Kolev,
Red card: Sano (S) 80.
BOV player of the match: Vyctor Bento (Sirens).
Two stunning goals from Vyctor Bento and Rei Tachikawa handed Sirens a win over Marsaxlokk.
The game took a while to burst into life with Marsaxlokk shading the proceedings but it was Sirens who secured a boost with a second consecutive win, thanks to the shooting prowess of the Brazilian and Japanese midfielders, who produced arguably two of the best strikes of the season so far.
Before the match, Marsaxlokk captain Peter Xuereb received a commemorative shirt for his 100th appearance with the Southseasiders.
Pablo Doffo had to make a change after just five minutes as Walter Serrano was unable to continue with a foot injury. The Argentine decision to replace the defender with Alfred Effiong necessitated some positional changes as Juan Cruz Aguilar dropped to centre-half alongside Oscar Carniello.
The second substitution within the first quarter of the hour was also enforced upon Doffo when Daniel Agius limped off injured and was replaced by Wellington.
With Sirens failing to make any impression, on 20 minutes, Brazilian defender Gabriel Fernandes followed Bento’s delivery, stormed into the box, but headed the ball wide.
The Northenders had marginally the better of the first half, enjoying the majority of the possession and territorial advantage, but failed to create any openings.
Shortly after the resumption, Fabian Moracci escaped down the left flank and picked Wellington who forced Matthew Grech into action.
Marsaxlokk continued to have the better of the exchanges as Moracci was causing Sirens all sorts of problems down the left, whipping in a number of crosses.
But Sirens’ influential midfielder Bento put his side ahead with a brilliant goal.
The deadlock was broken when he exchanged passes with Rei Tachikawa before unleashing a real scorcher from 30 metres straight into the top corner.
Fifteen minutes from time, Tachikawa scored another fantastic goal to wrap up Sirens’ win.
Picking up possession in the middle channel, he stormed past an opponent as he advanced towards the edge of the box before producing a brilliant shot that left Marko Drobnjak rooted to his spot.
Kei Sano was given his marching order for a second bookable offence before Oscar Carniello revived Marsaxlokk’s hopes five minutes from time.
But Sirens held on to extend their breathing space from red zone at the bottom of the table to seven points.
