Striker Kenneth Abela scored a poker in the final 15 minutes of the match to give St Patrick the first win of the season. It was a deserved win even though the Saints failed to impress in the first hour of the match.

The turning point of the match was the introduction by coach Gyorev, of midfielder Gilbert Scerri, who literally transformed the Zabbar side with his neat dribbling and good distribution.

Naxxar faded out completely in the last part of the game to give the Saints an emphatic win.

Both teams made several changes from their openeing match. The Saints' new signings Vince Camilleri and Eric Saliba were relegated to the bench, together with Gilbert Scerri, whilst Gordon Failla was roped in from the first minute. Mark Tanti was also missing for St Patrick

Naxxar also made several changes with goalkeeper Bjorn Borg making his debut instead of the Kevin Agius. Striker Gilbert Camilleri who scored a brace in their opener against Tarxien was on the reserves' bench, with Fabian Debono partnering Anizoba in attack.

The first half was played at a fast pace with St Patrick creating more danger in front of goal especially from set pieces. After only five minutes Kenneth Abela headed slightly over the bar, and on the other end a good Anizoba header was cleared off the line by Pullicino. On 16 minutes a good Anizoba cross was met by Spiteri Gonzi who headed inches wide.

St Patrick dominated the last part of the first half, going near with a Coleiro header and an Abela low shot, but in both occasions goalkeeper Attard was on the alert and saved.

At the start of the second half Naxxar inserted Gilbert Camilleri and St Patrick introduced Gilbert Scerri. However the match failed to liven up and the first part was a real bore to watch. On 62 minutes the Zabbar keeper was almost completely surprised by a long range shot by Jonathan Grech. Five minutes later Gilbert Scerri had an amazing run dribbling the whole Naxxar defence but his cross was not met by Coleiro.

On 74 minutes Coleiro passed to Abela who shot weakly from the edge of the area. The striker made amends a minute later when he headed home a perfect Gilbert Scerri cross from the left.

A minute later St Patrick doubled the score when Kenneth Abela rose high to head home a Simon Zerafa cross from the right. The Saints were now in full command and the Naxxar goalkeeper brought the house down with a splendid save off a Coleiro first timer. Five minutes from time Kenneth Abela obtained his hat-trick when he hammered home from close range a good cross following another impressive run by Gilbert Scerri.

In injury time Kenneth Abela struck again after receiving a long ball from Matthew Fleri Soler.

The ex-Senglea striker rounded off a defender before beating Attard for the fourth and final time.



Four-goal Dozie leads Senglea stunning comeback



Qormi 2

Senglea A 4



It was a poker morning yesterday at the Hibs ground as Senglea striker Chima Dozie equalled Kenneth Abela’s feat in the first match, by scoring all Senglea’s goals in their great comeback against Qormi.

Qormi backed by a numerous crowd looked set for an easy first victory when they deservedly took a two-goal lead by the first 25 minutes, with Senglea completely blotted out of the game.

But two quick goals before the interval by Dozie turned Qormi’s superiority into smoke, as the match was more balanced in the second half.

To be frank Senglea were more organised and aggressive in the second part and in the end scored two quick goals to kill off Qormi’s hopes of earning at least a point.

The first half was intense and spectaculer to say the least with Qormi enjoying the lion's share of the proceedings even building a two-goal lead, but Senglea marshalled by a splendid Darren Grech hit back to obtain the equaliser.

On six minutes Qormi took the lead when a Zammit header was blocked off the goal line by a Senglea defender and Glenn Buhagiar scored from close range. Qormi continued to press forward as Senglea had no answer to their speed and flair.

On ten minutes a Joseph Farrugia free-kick was deflected by the Senglea wall, with the ball going inches wide. Senglea's first sortie up front came on 19 minutes with a Thomas shot going over the bar.

Two minutes later a Farrugia first timer went over the bar, and on 24 minutes Qormi doubled the score. An Azzopardi corner was missed by Zammit but Buhagiar headed in to obtain his brace.

Five minutes later Senglea came back into the match, when Thomas beat the offside trap and passed to Chima Dozie who hammered home from close range.

Seven minutes from the break a scorcher by defender Edward Azzopardi went slightly over the bar, and just before half time Senglea obtained the equaliser. A Matthew Borg free-kick was completely missed by Qormi goalkeeper Farrugia, and Chima Dozie had no difficulty in heading the ball home for the equaliser.

The teams seemed to have tired out for the second 45 minutes. Qormi lost much of their composure and brilliance and Senglea looked the better lot in this part of the game.

In sharp contrast with the first half, scoring chances were scare with Senglea going near with a Thomas shot that missed the target. On their part Qormi's Australian born Talcevski tested Attard from the edge of the area.

With five minutes to go Senglea scored their third goal when Qormi keeper Farrugia could only partially save a close range shot from Bonello and Dozie was on hand to hit home the rebound.

With Qormi completely at a loss, Senglea scored their fourth two minutes later when Thomas did all the running before passing to Dozie who dribbled past goalkeeper Farrugia before scoring to the delight of the Senglea supporters.