NAXXAR L. 1

SENGLEA A. 1

Senglea missed a golden opportunity to go to the top of the table when they failed to beat Naxxar Lions in a very low profile match. The result was a fair one as Naxxar played a very solid match and deserved the point gained, a point which moves them three points clear from Balzan Youths in the lower part of the table.

The first half was very balanced with Naxxar giving a hard time to Senglea, who needed a win to go tops. Bellia worked hard in midfield, whilst Jerry Ani kept the Senglea defence under pressure.

Senglea on their part tried to penetrate the Lions’ defence with long balls for Malcolm Tirchett and Kenneth Abela, but many a times these crosses were very erratic.

Goal mouth actions were very rare and the two goalkeepers were practically never called in action. Both teams had a chance a piece during the first fourty five minutes with Naxxar missing a good chance with Fenech after receiving from Ani, and with Senglea missing a good chance through Tirchett who hesitated from the penalty spot following a cross form the right by captain Aquilina.

The second half was surely better played from both sides with Senglea more aggressive and determined but Naxxar held the pace.

On 71 minutes Senglea took the lead when a cross from the left by Bonello was headed by Tirchett towards Abela who managed to score from an acute angle. However Senglea’s joy was shortlived as from the restart Naxxar obtained an immediate equaliser. Ani ran loose on the right and his low shot was partially saved by Attard and from the rebound Justin Zammit slotted home.

The match continued to be very balanced and in the late stages Naxxar missed a golden opportunity to snatch the three points at stake when an Ani effort slightly missed the target.