Marsaxlokk moved closer to gain fourth place in the BOV Premier League when in the first match from Matchday 23 they beat Sta Lucia by three goals to nil. It was a match which after a balanced first half saw the Seasiders hold the upper hand in the second forty five minutes when they were playing in superiority.
As for Santa Lucia this was a setback in their quest to avoid the drop but they can still believe in making it.
The first action came midway through the first half when on 22 minutes a shot by Yuri Messias sailed just over the bar. And a minute later Ryan Scicluna tried a long range shot which also finished just over.
Just past the half hour and Santa Lucia threatened when a fierce shot by Nagamatsu was turned onto a corner by Calleja Cremona. And the M’Xlokk goalkeeper was once again in the thick of action three minutes later when he turned onto a corner a Steve Pisani free kick.
But three minutes from the end of the half a blow for the Saints as Temitope Abraham was given the marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Two minutes into the second half and Marsaxlokk went near to break the deadlock. A cross from the right side by Karl Micallef found Akinbule only for his volley to be tipped into a corner by Da Paz Silva.
And on the hour a solo run by Fernando Gomes ended with his shot going inches wide. M’Xlokk were now pressing forward and on 63 minutes Walker set Fernando Gomes who found Messias but the latters shot just missed the desired target.
Sta Lucia responded in the 68th minute with a rare shot by Aleksa Mrdja. But it was Marsaxlokk who a minute later took the lead. Fernando Gomes was brought down on entering the penalty area and after several protests from the Saints players, Messias converted.
It was now practically all over when the Seasiders increased their lead on 76 minutes. Scicluna passed towards Fernando Gomes who fired past a helpless Da Paz Silva.
And Marsaxlokk buried the contest two minutes from the end through a well executed direct free kick by Akinbule.
Photo: Domenic Aquilina