Zejtun C 0

Vittoriosa S 2

Vittoriosa won the first big match of the season beating Zejtun Corinthians with second half goals. This match between two of the firm favourites for the promotion race attracted a very good crowd at The Centenary Stadium.

In the end the Vittoriosa supporters had the last laugh as the Stars scored two quick goals against the run of play early in the second half to remain with maximum points together with Pieta Hotspur.

It must be said that Zejtun deserved something better, but the Stars’ experience saw them through, and yesterday’s victory can be considered as a sound warning towards the rest of the pack.

Zejtun dominated the first half, with Vittoriosa Stars always on the receiving end. Kalin Ganchev played a blinder in the first half and was a constant headache for the Vittoriosa defenders.

The other foreigners Gers Delia and Nikolay Filipov had a good performance too, together with Kenneth Abela who was not employed as a striker, even though he scored a brace in Zejtun’s opening match.

The Stars surely did not shine yesterday in the first half, with Marcelo Pereira never getting in the picture, and Lopes Ferreira completely blotted out by the Zejtun defenders.

Vittoriosa’s new signing Malcolm Buttigieg had the first attempt from a distance but his shot was easily saved by Ranier Farrugia. Zejtun’s first shot came from a corner action with Matthew Borg’s central effort well saved by Vella.

On 20 minutes Zejtun went very close when Ganchev’s shot on the turn from the edge of the area missed the target by a whisker. Zejtun continued to dictate matters with the Vittoriosa rearguard under pressure. Eight minutes from the break Ganchev darted inside the box and crossed towards Lyden Micallef whose header was slightly off target.

On 55 minutes Vittoriosa took a surprise lead. Adam Spiteri beat a hesitant Zejtun defender and lobbed beautifully over the onrushing Zejtun goalkeeper. Seven minutes later Vittoriosa were on velvet when Lopes Ferreira’s freekick was met by Josef Dalli who headed past Farrugia to send the Vittoriosa supporters in raptures.

The game was now in Vittoriosa’s hands with Marcelo Pereira and Tassio Lopes Ferreira showing all their worth.

Zejtun C: R. Farrugia, A. Farrugia, J. Cachia, M. Borg, E. Azzopardi (C. Formosa), J. Abela, N. Filipov, K. Ganchev, K. Abela, L. Micallef (K. Vassallo), G. Delia

Vittoriosa S: J.M. Vella, J. Camilleri, B. Bonnici, S. Tellus, T. Lopes Ferreira, M. Pereira, L. Scerri, L. Rocha Dos Santos, A. Spiteri (J. Spiteri), J. Dalli (R. Sell), M. Buttigieg (M