St. Andrew’s 2

Naxxar 1

St Andrew’s registered their second win this season when they beat Naxxar 2-1, in a well-balanced match, from which Naxxar would have deserved to obtain a point. St Andrew’s had a comfortable lead, and the three points appeared to be certain for the Saints, but Naxxar took one back fifteen minutes before stoppage time and re-opened the match. St Andrew’s now find themselves in the middle of the table with 6 points.

St. Andrew’s opened the scoring in the 11th minute, when goalkeeper Spiteri did not restrain Calleja’s strike from outside the box, with Faisal Alkanua concluding at the back of the net with a low shot.

After 15 minutes of play, the lions were close to levelling the match, when from a pass by Micallef, De Lima Seguira’s first timer went slightly high over the crossbar. Naxxar were close again 20 minutes later, when from a free-kick by Fiori Dos Santos which was temporarily blocked by the St Andrew’s defence, Farrugia’s shot from the rebound was converted into a corner by goalkeeper Balzan.

Five minutes before the break, Naxxar protested for a penalty, when Bugeja caught Fiori Dos Santos’ foot in the penalty area, but referee Frendo Cumbo allowed play to continue.

Naxxar had a good start in the second half and were close to hitting home in the 62nd minute, when Balzan punched away Micallef’s effort on target; and ten minutes later, the goalkeeper converted De Lima Sequira’s first-timer into a corner.

Fifteen minutes before stoppage time, St Andrew’s were close to increasing the lead, when following a good run through the middle of the Lion’s defence, substitute Camilleri saw his shot go inches wide.

A minute later, Naxxar took one back thanks to Glenn Magri, who from a personal action, beat Balzan with a powerful strike from outside the penalty area.

The last moments of the match were dominated by Naxxar, who sieged the opponents’ defence. Ten minutes before stoppage time, Debono’s header went high over the crossbar, and a few moments later, Falzon’s shot on target was saved by the goalkeeper.

Naxxar’s efforts were not enough to save the game, thus suffering their second loss this season, where five games down the line, they find themselves in the lower part of the grid with just three points.

St Andrew’s D. Balzan, N. Chetcuti, B. Diacono, J. Bugeja, B. Said, A. Nakun, F. Alkanua, J. Briscoe White, R. Previ (W. Camilleri), V. Concalves Aldinho (M. Ellul), M. Calleja (M. Desira Butigieg)

Naxxar J. Spiteri, V. Bellia, D. Falzon, A. Farrugia (J. Zammit), K. Fenech (J. Debono), R. Schembri, L. Micallef, A. Attard (G. Magri), M. Maceari, H. De Lima Seguira, E. Fiori Dos Santos

Referee Carl Frendo Cumbo