St Patrick stunned front runners Marsa beating them by the odd goal in three in an interesting match. The Saints scored two quick goals in the space of three minutes midway through the second half to inflict the first defeat of the season to high riding Marsa.

The result can be considered as a fair one, even though Marsa have every right to believe that they were robbed of a legitimate penalty, seconds before the Saints themselves obtained a penalty to forge ahead.

The first half was very balanced, with Marsa having more possession of the ball but the Saints’ had more shots at goal.

The strong wind was the dominant factor, with the goalkeepers having a rather difficult morning in judging the flight of the ball.

The match was played mainly in midfield with Costa Brazilino, Simon Zerafa and Gordon Failla on one side and Meilaq, Slavchev and Gatt on the other.

In attack St Patrick confirmed striker Lawrence Vella who was partnered by Mark Tanti, with Timmy Thomas and Gilbert Martin forming the redblues’ attacking tandem.

Marsa had their first attempt with a shot on the turn by Gilbert Martin going wide. On ten minutes a Failla freekick went slightly over the bar, and minutes later a good solo run by Mark Tanti was finished off with a good shot missing the base of the upright.

On their part Marsa’s best chance came on 25 minutes with danger man Gilbert Martin doing all the spadework on the left but his perfect cross was headed wide by Thomas. Minutes later it was Meilaq’s header that missed the target following a Slavchev freekick.

Just before the break a good Gatt shot almost deceived Mintoff in the Saints’ goal, but his shot went inches high.

St Patrick introduced Gilbert Scerri at the start of the second half, and this move proved to be the winning trump for the Saints. At the start Scerri missed an easy chance in front of goal.

On 60 minutes Marsa appealed for a penalty when substitute Chircop was tripped inside the area, with the referee opting for a corner, from which the same Chircop missed an easy chance in front of goal.

On the other end Gilbert Scerri made his way inside the area and was floored by Kevin Scerri. From the resultant penalty Mark Tanti made no mistake.

Two minutes later with the Marsa team still under shock, Mark Tanti was put through with a long ball from defence and he coolly placed the ball past Casha.

Marsa staged a late rally with a Slavchev freekick missing the crossbar, and with six minutes to go substitute Jeremy Dalli managed to squeeze the ball home from close range to put Marsa back in business. But it was too late for Molzahn’s boys as the Redblues failed in their quest to go on top of the table at the end of the first round.