St George’s 1
San Gwann 0
St George’s returned to winning ways after two consecutive defeats, to increase their lead at the top of the First Division League.
It was a hard earned victory against a motivated and organised San Gwann side.
It was a tale of two penalties with St George’s scoring theirs, and with San Gwann missing their golden opportunity early in the second half.
Without displaying their start of the season form, St George’s showed the better ideas in the first half going near with shots from Trevor Thomas and Ewurun. On their part San Gwann went close with a good effort from Luke Vella Critien on 26 minutes.
Minutes later Sevasta, again one of his side’s best, had a good run stopped by an excellent Justin Spiteri save. It was St Georges’ best patch as they took the lead on 37 minutes, when Anthony Ewurun wass pulled inside the area by Wilfred Spiteri, and from the resultant penalty Jesmond Delia made no mistake with a fierce drive.
The second half was greatly dominated by San Gwann who missed a golden opportunity when they were awarded a penalty on 50 minutes, for a Sevasta foul on Penza, but Loughborough’s shot was blocked by Gatt and Anizoba blasted high the rebound.
San Gwann were also unlucky when a Zammit Tabona freekick slammed against the crossbar.
In the dying minutes San Gwann surged desperatly forward but the leaders held on to their slender lead to gain three valuable points.
St Patrick 2
Lija A 1
St Patrick registered their second consecutive victory to gain three precious points and go above the same Lija in the lower part of the table.
It was a very interesting match with St Patrick completely dominant in the first half, but with Lija coming strongly in the second half, obtaining the equaliser and having two certain goals cleared off the line by the Saints’ defenders.
St Patrick scored the winner ten minutes from time, almost against the run of play and defended well in the final minutes to gain a valuable win.
Both sides had their captains missing in defence due to suspension. Robert Cassar for the Saints and Giles Lanzon for Lija. On their part St Patrick had Arnold Buttigieg back in their ranks, with Gilbert Scerri back on the reserve’s bench after his good display against Marsa, whilst Paul Camilleri was shifted to the heart of the defence to fill Lanzon’s place.
The Saints were the better team in the first half with Costa Brazilino and Mark Tanti their key players in midfield, with Thomas Caruana showing good progress in his quest to get back to his old form.
Mark Tanti tested Mercieca with a well taken freekick, with Gordon Failla missing an easy header in front of goal following a Caruana header.
On 20 minutes Mercieca effected a brilliant save stopping a point blank header from Caruana following a good Tanti run.
Around the half hour St Patrick increased the pressure, and were very unlucky when Brazilino ran free on the right and his cross was met by Caruana, whose header slammed against the crossbar.
However the Saints took a deserved lead two minutes later when following a Thomas Caruana corner from the right, defender Michael Zerafa completely unmarked rose high to head beautifully home.
Near the end Lija had some good moments even appealing for a penalty for a handling infringement.
At the start of the second half, Lija looked more aggressive and even obtained the draw on 55 minutes when a Michael Gatt header deceived Mintoff who failed to block in time. The match was now more balanced and the same Michael Gatt went close on 68 minutes when his header beat Mintoff but Clayton Micallef blocked the ball on the goal line. Karl Vassallo came in for Micallef and this player was instrumental as he blocked a certain goal on the goal line following an Antignolo header.
On 79 minutes the Saints were back in front with a Benoir Fenech first-timer that beat Mercieca, for a beautiful goal.