Newcomers Santa Lucija continue to impress
Zebbug R-Santa Lucija 0-3
Żebbuġ R: J. Borg, D. Fava, S. Schembri, R. Vella, H. Vella (C.C. Pace 66'), S. Buhagiar, A. Curmi, T. Dos Santos, C. Brincat, J. Caetano Da Silva, J. Farrugia (R. Micallef 53').
Santa Luċija: R. Caruana, M. Caruana, N. Spiteri, J. Usaga Mendoza, J. Suda, B. Paiber, W. Martinez Ibarra (K.D. Ante Rosa 65'), E. De Rocha Souza (P. Teixeira Maia 65'), L. Galea, K. Camilleri, N. Borg (P. Lapira 89').
Referee: Darryl Agius
Scorers: Patrick Jean Teixeira Maia 75', Nick Borg 82', Kevin Duvan Ante Rosero 88'
Newly promoted Santa Lucija continued to impress yesterday defeating Zebbug ranger with three goals scored in the last fifteen minutes of the match. The win leaves Santa Lucija on top of the standings.
The match was rather disappointing in the first half and only came to life five minutes from the break when a Kevin Camilleri scorcher slammed against the crossbar.
Zebbug were better in the second half and missed some scoring opportunities, but fifteen minutes from time Teixeira Maia scored a beauty with a great from the edge of the area. Zebbug pushed forward for the equaliser and the Santa Lucija goalkeeper made two great saves before Santa Lucija finished off the match with two great counter breaks and goals scored by Nick Borg and Kevin Ante Rosero.
Zammit great saves keep Naxxar at bay
Naxxar L-Zejtun C 0-0
Naxxar L: O. Borg, M. Fenech, M. Mifsud, J. Debono, D. Bonnici, R.G. Cassar, J. Ellul, A. Buhagiar, D. Belhadj, S. Meilak, M. Belhadj
Żejtun: G. Zammit, C. Giordmaina, I. Azzopardi, C. Gauci, A. Carabott, A. Smeir (R. Spiteri 75’), A. Cardona, D. Albanese, F. Dias, B. Farrugia, N. Tabone (J.A. Castano 46’)
Referee: Mario Apap
Naxxar and Zejtun figured in a scoreless draw, the third successive draw for both teams. Both sides are considerd as favouroites to gain promotion, but have so far failed to snatch the first victory of the season. Naxxar went close near the end but were denied by the Lions’ goalkeeper Zammit.
The match was a balanced affair with Zejtun having a slight edge over their opponents, but Naxxar had the better chances especially in the dying stages of the match. In the first half an Adam Smeir shot went over the bar and on the other end a Duane Bonnici was well saved by Zammit.
In the second half Zejtun held territorial superiority but near the end of the match Naxxar were the most dangerous. The Zejtun goalkeeper Zammit was his side’s hero as he made two outstanding saves off Mohamed Belhadj and Duane Bonnici in the dying minutes of the match to give his side a precious point.
Veteran striker Abela saves Qrendi with last gasp goal
Sirens-Qrendi 1-1
Sirens: M. Montfort, K. Farrugia, R. Mandic, D. Sant, J. Nwoba (L. Zammit 84’), M. Micallef, M. Morgon Filho, A. Bustos (J. Zammit 92’), G. Spiteri, C. Gauci, A. Ige
Qrendi: J. Farrugia, M. Farrugia, B. Bondin, M. Reid (C. Quaranta 73’), B. Sammut (C. Caruana 69’), N. Falzon, R. Dalli (K. Abela 78’), Z. Bowman, J. Spiteri, J. Da Silva Vargas, J. Silveira Da Silva.
Referee: Andrea Sciriha
Scorers: John Nwoba 75’ (S), Kenneth Abela 94’ (Q)
Veteran striker Kenneth Abela scored deep in stoppage time to give Qrendi their second draw of the season. Sirens were heading to a deserved victory thanks to John Nwoba’s goal on 75 minutes, but had to settle for a draw as they failed to settle the match with a second goal.
Sirens were unlucky on the half hour when a Morgon Filho header off a Michael Micallef cross from the right finished against the base of the upright.
In the second half Sirens continued to dictate with Morgon Filho’s shot sailing over the bar, and with a Bustos freekick skimming the crossbar. Fifteen minutes from time Sirens scored the winner when when John Nwoba raced to a long ball from defence and anticipated the onrushing goalkeeper to lob into the net.
Deep in stoppage time Qrendi saved the game when from Silveira’s run on the right, Kenneth Abela met his cross and headed home a dramatic equaliser.