St Patrick 5

St Andrew’s 1

St Patrick notched their fourth consecutive win to go with the leading pack with an outside chance of a quick return to the Premier League. It was a flattering win, with the result too harsh on the ill-fated St Andrew’s.

In a low profile match, St Andrew’s deserved something better. Still anchored at the bottom of the table, St Andrew’s played a very good game, but faded away in the last part of the match as St Patrick showed technical superiority and greater experience, scoring freely in the last minutes of the match.

Mark Tanti was outstanding scoring three goals, Thomas Caruana scored a brace, but it was Brazilian Costa Brazilino who definitely turned the tide in favour of Gyorev’s boys, when he came in as a substitute at the start of the second half.

St Patrick had a dream start, taking the lead after only 29 seconds. Thomas Caruana played the ball to Mark Tanti who shot low into the corner of the net.

This early setback did not hinder St Andrew’s who showed the better ideas in the first half, even though they rarely tested goalkeeper Cini who was playing instead of Mintoff.

A defective sortie by Mintoff created havoc in the St Patrick penalty area with defender Michael Zerafa saving a certain goal. Polished Nicky Micallef blasted high direct from a freekick.

St Patrick could have doubled the score on 15 minutes when Mark Tanti again beat Jonathan Debono, but Junior Sank saved on the fatal line.

The match dragged on with no real scoring chances with Tanti blasting high direct from a freekick with St Andrew’s hitting back with another freekick by Anthony Galea going over the bar.

In the second half, St Patrick introduced Costa Brazilino, and almost doubled the score on 50 minutes when Buhagiar pounced a defensive blunder, but goalkeeper Debono saved well.

On 56 minutes St Andrew’s were back on level terms when a Rodrick Briffa shot hit the base of the upright and Anthony Galea scored from close range. However ten minutes later St Patrick were back in front when Costa Brazilino was floored inside the area by Sank and from the resultant penalty Mark Tanti scored his brace.

Twelve minutes from time St Patrick put the issue beyond doubt when Costa Brazilino passed to Thomas Caruana who dribbled past some defenders before scoring a beauty.

But more misery was in store for St Andrew’s in the final minutes of the game. On 87 minutes Mark Tanti achieved his hat trick when he slammed home from close range an inviting Costa Brazilino cross. And two minutes later Thomas Caruana showed some neat touches and flair, beating a couple of defenders before beating the helpless Debono for the fifth and final time.