Floriana-Tarxien 1-1
Floriana: J. Haber, A. Cini, E. Pepe (R. Camenzuli 25’), E. Ruiz, J. Pisani, C. Borg, S. Pisani, M. Vella, N. Chiesa (G. Amadio 80’), A. Samb, M. Fontanella
Tarxien: A. Cassar, A. da Paixao Alves, M. Tabone, E. Baker, S. Borg, E. Marcelina, T. Caruana (A. Agius 70’), S. Fernandez Prendes, J. Galea (K. Zammit 56’), D. Ponce de Leon Garcia (D. Micallef 92’), A. Nilsson
Yellow Cards: A. Samb 8’, S. Pisani 12’, J. Pisani 74’, C. Borg 85’ (F), S. Fernandez Prendes 48’, K. Zammit 67’ (T)
Scorer: M. Fontanella 5’ (F), T. Caruana 66’ (T)
Referee: Matthew Degabriele
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Sammy Attard
4th Official: Clayton Pisani
TMI Top 3: 1. M. Vella (F) 2. A. da Paixao Alves (T) 3. T. Caruana (T)
BOV Player of the match: Triston Caruana (Tarxien Rainbows)
Stewart Said
It was a frustrating afternoon for Floriana as they were stopped from obtaining their fourth consecutive win which would have cemented their place amongst the prime candidates for a place in Europe. But after a positive first half and a bright start to the second one, they finished the game with a draw as they were held by an organised Tarxien Rainbows.
The game could have gone in another direction but the missed penalty by Chiesa six minutes into the second half proved to be costly as Tarxien improved, equalised and could have snatched a win in the last minutes of a game.
In his second game in charge, Tarxien coach Jesmond Zerafa made only one change from their previous game, as Triston Caruana returned in midfield. On the other hand, Giovanni Tedesco changed two players from their win against Balzan as Fontanella and Vella returned in the starting line-up instead of Camenzuli and Varela.
The game started on a high note for the Greens as they took the lead after five minutes. Andrea Cassar saved a partially a low shot by Maurizio Vella, and striker Mario Fontanella was quick enough to take advantage from the rebound and score. Floriana could have doubled on the 20th minute when a free-kick by Vella found Enzo Ruiz who tried with a header but his effort finished over the bar.
Another chance for Floriana fifteen minutes later as Amadou Samb received a good ball and lobbed over Cassar, but the shot hit the crossbar. The first effort by Tarxien came five minutes from the end of the second half as Brazilian Alex da Paixao Alves tried a long-range effort that didn’t trouble Justin Haber, as the Floriana goalkeeper saved without difficulty.
Floriana continued to attack after the break and one minute into the half, Steve Pisani had a good chance from a central position but he shot over the bar. Two minutes later Floriana had a free-kick in front of goal which was taken by Enzo Ruiz, but Andrea Cassar saved the powerful shot.
Tedesco’s team were given a penalty on the 51st minute as Matthew Degabriele ordered a penalty after he judged that Baker pushed Vella in the penalty area. But from the penalty spot, Cassar saved the low shot by Chiesa, as Fontanella hit with a header over the bar.
This occasion gave courage to Tarxien who pushed more forward and on the hour mark Triston Caruana passed to Spaniard Ponce de Leon Garcia who controlled the ball from the box but his shot from a brilliant position finished over the bar. The performance by Zerafa’s team continued to rise and equalised in a deserved manner on the 66th minute. Ponce de Leon Garcia crossed from the left to Triston Caruana who was unmarked in the penalty area and hit past Haber with a powerful header.
Photos Domenic Aquilina
Floriana’s reaction almost resulted in a goal five minutes later as a deflected shot by Maurizio Vella hit the upright. From the corner, Jurgen Pisani rose above his team-mates but his header finished over the bar.
Despite Floriana’s efforts, it was Tarxien who had the best chances. On the 79th minute Alex Nilsson advanced from a counter-attack, shifted the ball to his right and tried with a low shot that Haber saved partially, the ball finished in the direction of Ponce de Leon Garcia who tried with an overhead kick that finished off target. Two minutes from regular time, Tarxien had a brilliant chance as da Paixao Alves laid Sacha Borg who was alone in the middle of the box, but the defender opted for a first-time shot that finished well over the bar.
HIBERNIANS.............1
PEMBROKE A...........1
Hibernians: A. Hogg, M. Dias, R. Soares, A. Agius, T. Tabone Desira, J. Lima, B. Kristensen, J. Bezzina, J. Mbong, R. Telles (J. Varea 81’), J. Degabriele
Pembroke: M. Calleja Cremona, M. Attard, A. Scozzese, A. Borg, Z. Levnaic, P. Barbetti, O. Maksymov, B. Manevski, S. Eddin Arab, S. Shodiya, U. Akuto
Yellow Cards: Z. Levnaic 22’ (P), R. Telles 61’ (H)
Scorers: J. Degabriele 54’ pen (H), P. Barbetti 71’ pen (P)
Referee: Eman Grech
Assistanti Referees: David Castillo, Thomas Debono
4th Official: Trustin Farrugia Cann
TMI Top 3: 1. J. Degabriele (H) 2. P. Barbetti (P) 3. R. Telles (H)
BOV Player of the match: Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians)
Attendance: 707
Hibernians were unable to confirm their latest form as they were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against bottom team Pembroke Athleta. Hibernians were clearly superior than their opponents, but failed to convert their superiority to goals, on a poor surface of play.
This win extended the lead at the top to three points, but Balzan can level Hibernians if they win against Valletta. On the other hand, Pembroke still remain at the bottom of the table, but now they are one point behind Mosta, and might give an extra boost ahead of January.
After early attempts by Pembroke, Hibernians threatened the post on the 9th minute when Bjorn Kristensen passed to Johann Bezzina who shifted the ball to his left foot and tried with a low drive that hit the side netting. Four minutes later, Renan Telles tried with a shot from the edge of the box that finished off target.
Hibernians were dominating play but were failing to finish in the final third. It was after the half-hour mark when Calleja Cremona was tested twice with shots from Degabriele and Mbong, but the Pembroke custodian saved both attempts. Degabriele tried again four minutes later but despite beating Calleja Cremona, Attard was ready to clear the ball.
Hibernians were given a penalty on the 53rd minute for a foul on Jurgen Degabriele by Matthew Calleja Cremona. For the second consecutive game, Degabriele took the responsibility in the absence of Cohen and Failla, and beat Calleja Cremona.
Despite taking the lead, Hibernians failed to conclude the match, and this reason gave Pembroke the courage needed to move forward. In fact they managed to equalise on the 71st minute when from a free-kick by Barbetti, a header hit the hands of Andrei Agius, with referee Eman Grech ordering the second penalty. From the spot Paltemio Barbetti beat Andrew Hogg with a low powerful shot.
Photos Domenic Aquilina
Shaqiri’s team almost took the lead on the 77th minute when from a free-kick on the right hand side by Barbetti, the header by Adrian Borg gave Andrew Hogg a tough job to save in time for a spectacular save.
Hibernians were back on the attack and few seconds later, Bezzina tried with a shot from the edge of the box that finished over the bar. Four minutes later Telles was unfortunate as the low drive finished centimetres away from the post. Miller’s team had the last action on the 88th minute as Marcelo Dias received a ball on the right side, and delivered a low shot on the second post that finished off target.
ST ANDREWS- 3
HAMRUN SPARTANS- 1
St Andrews: J. Galea, B. Che, M. Johnson, K. Kesinovic, E. Beltre, D. Camilleri, J. Farrugia, A. Bakmaz, G. McKay, I. Paz (R. Darmanin), K. Nwoko
Hamrun S: M. Farrugia (F. Tabone), P. Chircop, L. Sciberras, L. Rodrigues, J. Neto, M. Giusti, L. Motta (S. Nanapere), L. Grech, J. Grech, S. Raphael, P. Teixeira
Referee: G. Tonna
Asst.refs: E. Spiteri, M. Scerri
4th official: E. Mangion
Scorers: J. Grech 8, M. Johnson 19, K. Kesinovic 80, I. Paz 83
Yellow cards: G. McKay, L. Rodrigues, J. Neto, L. Motta, D. Camilleri, S. Raphael, K. Nwoko (N. Belacevic)
Red cards: S. Rafael, L. Rodrigues
Player of the match: M. Giusti
TMI top 3: 1. J. Farrugia 2. I. Paz 3. M. Giusti
Attendance: 517
SILVIO VELLA
St Andrews’ bright patch, with onlyt one defeat in six outings, continued yesterday as they beat the team above them Hamrun Spartans at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
It was not a hugely convincing performance from either side. What the teams really lacked was pentration in attacking areas. After two early goals, one at each end, chances dried up.
It was in the final ten minutes that St Andrews scored twice in quick succession to turn the match in their favour and win full points.
Hamrun failed to keep their nerves and even ended up playing with nine men.
Karlo Kesinovic and Michael Johnson were back for the Saints after suspension, with Udoh and Kastervec making way. Kyron Nwoko was their lone striker in a 4-1-4-1 formation that had Dale Camilleri and Joseph Farrugia providing cover to the back four, allowing Beltre’ to overlap on the right flank.
Hamrun were an unchanged side after their win against Birkirkara the previous week, except for the injured keeper David Cassar who did not recover in time and Matthew Farrugia played in goal instead.
With Patrick Texiera their most advanced man in front, Massimiliano Giusti and Jake Grech revolved around him with their marauding runs that gave plenty of embarrassment to the St Andrews’ rearguard.
That brought about Hamrun’s opening goal after eight minutes play. Jake Grech played a deft one-two with Giusti and finished off himself.
St Andrews took only 11 minutes to restore parity. From a Paz corner from the right, Michael Johnson was allowed too much freedom to beat keeper Farrugia with a firm header.
The goals gave an otherwise dull first half some notable thrill. There was a lack of composure from both ends.
With halftime looming, the Hamrun keeper fell under the heavy challenge of some players during a corner kick. Play was interrupted for several minutes before finally Farrugia was stretchered off to make way for Frederick Tabone.
Both sides came out for the second half fired up.St Andrews upped the tempo, running at Hamrun’s retreating defence. They won a couple of corners, insidously taken by Farrugia. Nwoke ran through on a Farrugia long ball, but was blocked by the Hamrun keeper Tabone.
Hamrun were struggling to get the ball forward.
Joseph Farrugia continued to be the most mobile and threatening player on the pitch.
Hamrun had what looked like legitimate claims for a penalty turned down by the referee when a Giusti shot was blocked by Kesinovic’s outstretched arm inside the area as Hamrun were raking long balls inside the St Andrerws area with little purpose.
St Andrews introduced another striker, Ziga Kastrevec for the last 15 minutes and their game plan worked.
On 80 minutes, a corner from the right was headed towards the middle by Kastravec and Karlo Kesinovic was on hand to hit the ball in from close range.
There was no time for the Spartans to recover. Within another three minutes the Saints scored again. Ivan Paz robbed Sciberras of possession and rifled a shot from the edge of the area that completely took keeper Tabone by surprise.
In the final frantic minutes frustration grew and more tempers flared. Hamrun first had defender Rafael shown a red card after arguing with Nwoko and then the same fate befell other defender Rodrigues for a second booking.
GZIRA UNITED- 3
MOSTA – 0
Gzira U: M. Boerchio, J. Borg, G. Conti, Z. Scerri, R. Ledesma (Y. Tonna), C. Gatt Baldacchino, J. Mamodou (J. Nwoba), J. Bondin, J. Corbolan, S. Diamoutene, R. Calixto (K. Pulo)
Mosta: M. Bartolo, T. Grant, K. Magro (N. Frendo), J. Rapa, D. Xuereb, K. Frendo, M. Vlcek, D. Priso, R. Paisley (G. Bezak), D. Nworah (E. Vella), Z. Brincat
Referee: S. Spiteri
Asst.refs: W. Debattista, D. Sultana
4th official: M. Apap
Scorers: R. Ledesma 9, J. Corbolan 20, S. Diamoutene 39
Yellow cards: R. Ledesma, S. Diamoutene, R. Paisley, N. Priso, K. Frendo, Z. Scerri, D. Xuereb, R. Calixto
Red card: N. Priso
Player of the match: R. Calixto (Gzira U)
TMI top 3: 1. R. Calixto 2. R. Ledesma 3. Z. Brincat
Gzira end goal drought to win
SILVIO VELLA
This clash between two teams in distress went Gzira’s way. By beating Mosta 3-0 they did not only rediscover their winning ways after seven consecutive defeats, but they also ended their goal drought following five barren matches on the trot.
All three goals came in the first half, through Ledesma, Corbolan and Diamoutene, when Mosta looked only bystanders, lacking any penetration in attack.They rarely threatened before a meagre crowd of a few hundreds and the Gzira goalkeeper, Mauro Boerchio, had very little to do.
Mosta went into the match with one win in nine previous league matches and yesterday they were bereft of two key players, Francis Chinatu and Dany Djoufack, both suspended. But that is little excuse for their total lack of commitment and look a team in deep crisis.
Dexter Xuereb returned from suspension. They gave a debut start to yet another foreigner, the wide midfielder David Nworah, who only stayed on the pitch for half an hour before being substituted for some tactical reason.
Gzira had Antinio Neto suspended and Yanis Tonna was relegated to the bench.
They made the more assertive start and were two goals up inside the first 20 minutes. After nine minutes Mamodou headed Calixto’s free kick from the right against the post and Raphael Ledesma picked up the rebound to open the scoreline.
On 20 minutes Gzira doubled their lead. Scerri played a long ball forward for Juan Carlos Corbolan to chase and beat goalkeeper Bartolo with a low drive.
In between Mosta had gone close when a Vlcke shot, off a Brincat cross, was tipped over the bar and into a corner by the Gzira keeper Boerchio.
The match remained pretty dismal staff and almost 20 minutes of artless skirmsihes followed before Gzira also scored the third goal.
On a Conti free kick from the left, Souleymane Diamoutene rose high to head past the helpless keeper Bartolo and give the Maroons a comfortable lead by halftime.
Mosta remained short of ideas in the second half and there was a lull in play as Gzira sought solidity at the back to preserve their lead. Mosta even failed to pull themselves back into the game on 53 minutes. Grant should have done better when put clear by a Bezak low pass but he hit tamely in front of goal and Boerchio could save.
Mosta’s frustration was evident when towards the hour Kurt Magro was susbtituted by coach Ivan Zammit after some fans were hurling abuse at their captain.
Mosta’s woes also grew in the late stages. Two minutes from time Priso was also sent off for a second booking and that summed it all.