Marsa obtained their second consecutive draw, this time against bottom placed St Andrew’s, to receive another setback in their quest to gain promotion. The result which can be considered a fair one, was a repeat of the first round clash.

The match was largely dominated by Marsa in the first half, with the Saints sharing the exchanges in the second. St Andrew’s are still not mathematically relegated, even though they need a miracle to avoid it.

For Marsa yesterday’s match was their last soft match having to face Senglea, St George’s and St Patrick in their remaining matches, and their promotion hopes were yesterday severely dented.

As was expected, Marsa dominated the first half against a depleted St Andrew’s side. Marsa were rather unlucky in this period hitting the crossbar twice in the same action, as coach Molzahn was forced to make two early substitutions.

Cutajar’s header went over the bar on 12 minutes and five minutes later Adrian Galea’s shot from the edge of the area missed the target.

On 22 minutes Marsa had another good chance when Casha headed wide a Slavchev freekick.

On 33 minutes Marsa were very unlucky. Gilbert Martin’s shot was partially saved by goalkeeper Debono and, from the rebound, Timmy Thomas hit the crossbar, the ball came to Brandon Zammit whose lob again slammed against the crossbar.

Two minutes later a Brandon Zammit move on the right was finished with a Slavchev dipper slightly missing the upright.

In the second half the Saints took the lead on 61 minutes when substitute Hyzler powered his way on the right and crossed to Roderick Briffa who slammed the ball home.

Marsa made an immediate and effective reaction obtaining the equaliser six minutes later. Gilbert Martin beat the offside trap and passed to substitute Meilaq, in a very dubious position, who shot home with his first touch of the ball.

Marsa increased the pressure in the last minutes but the Saints played well and were dangerous in their breaks going near through Ian Borg and Adrian Galea

Naxxar L. 1

St Patrick 2

St Patrick obtained a double over Naxxar Lions, beating them by the odd goal in three, with all goals scored in the first 45 minutes.

St Patrick were the better team especially in the first half, where apart from building a two-goal cushion, they could have added further goals. However Naxxar’s goal just before the break made the game more interesting, with St Patrick defending for long stretches, and the Lions in search of the equaliser. Near the end St Patrick should have sealed the issue but missed some chances in front of goal.

The first half was spectacular with lots of scoring chances. Failla started the show shooting over the bar. Naxxar hit back when Muscat was denied by goalkeeper Azzopardi who saved from close range.

On 12 minutes St Patrick were in the lead with a well executed move between Tanti, Scerri and Caruana with the latter scoring from close range.

St Patrick went close again with shots from Caruana and a Failla header saved by Agius.

On 23 minutes Chima Dozie missed a sitter in front of goal, and a minute later St Patrick doubled the score when Mark Tanti surprised everyone when he hastily took a freekick with the ball finishing in the corner of the net.

The Saints were now in full command with Scerri missing from two metres and Thomas Caruana heading slightly wide a Costa Brazilino cross. In injury time Naxxar got back into the match when substitute Glenn Magri surprised Franklin Azzopardi with a cross shot that finished in the far corner of the net.

In the second half Naxxar played better and had a header by Dozie cleared off the line by Micallef. Near the end, St Patrick went very close to scoring the third goal through substitute Matthew Xerri and Costa Brasilino.