A Thomas Caruana hat trick helped St Patrick register their third win in a row, with the Saints now moving to a safer place in the table. For San Gwann this was a disappointing defeat, as they remain in a desperate position in the lower part of the table.

Although St Patrick were surely the better team, the result was rather harsh on San Gwann, with the turning point of the match being Mintoff’s save from the penalty spot, denying San Gwann a possible equaliser.

The strong wind prevailed in this match, with very few scoring chances on either side. Both teams packed the midfield sector, with Buttigieg keeping an eye on Karl Sciberras.

San Gwann had more of the ball but their attacks were easy prey for the Saints’ defenders. St Patrick scored on their first attempt on the half hour when striker Thomas Caruana’s shot from the far edge of the area beat goalkeeper Justin Spiteri, with the strong wind giving Caruana a helping hand.

Two minutes later St Patrick could have doubled the score when from a Gilbert Scerri freekick, Michael Zerafa failed to head from an ideal position. San Gwann had two scoring opportunities near the end of the first half when captain Antonio Saliba ran through on the right and his good cross was headed slightly wide by Randolph Penza. The same Panza had another dangerous header just before the break, but again the ball went slightly wide.

In the second half San Gwann introduced Kevin Loughborough but still they could not penetrate the Saints’ rearguard, with their only attempt coming from a Buttigieg angled shot.

San Gwann’s best chance of saving the match came on 62 minutes when a Loughborough cross from the right was handled by captain Robert Cassar, but from the resultant penalty, goalkeeper Mintoff saved Sciberras’ shot.

With seven minutes to go St Patrick were awarded a penalty when Thomas Caruana was pulled by Stacy Vella, with the San Gwann defender sent off after receiving his second yellow card. From the penalty spot Thomas Caruana made no mistake.

St Patrick were now in full command of the game and on 90 minutes Thomas Caruana sealed his hat trick after a good solo effort.