San Gwann scored a dramatic and deserved equaliser against Naxxar yesterday thanks to a Malcolm Buttigieg header. It was a partial reward for the yellows who yesterday dominated their opponents from start to finish. But the Lions who defended for long stretches were heading for their second consecutive victory thanks to a great Gilbert Camilleri strike.
San Gwann played their best match so far, but found in the Naxxar goalkeeper a hard nut to crack. Naxxar disappointed with their negative tactics and approach. Last week they obtained an incredible victory against Mosta defending for the whole match, and yesterday they went very close to another defensive victory.
San Gwann dominated the first half, with their striker Mark Psaila going near on several occasions. Still without player coach Danilo Doncic, San Gwann were marshalled by Sandro Zammit Fava who had an excellent game in midfield.
Naxxar adopted the same defensive plan used against Mosta with Gilbert Camilleri and Glen Magri as strikers with Anizoba in an unusual midfield role.
On 25 minutes San Gwann went very close when a Psaila shot following a Roberto Brincat pass, was tipped by goalkeeper Bjorn Attard, with Schembri clearing off the line. Minutes later Psaila shot over the bar, with the same player heading inches wide a good free-kick by Brincat.
On 37 minutes Zammit Fava swerved a perfect long ball to the unmarked Luke Sciberras on the left flank whose first timer hit the side netting. Just before the break Alan Spiteri elegantly made his way inside the area and his cross was met by Psaila whose shot sailed over the bar.
The second half was a carbon copy of the first with San Gwann constantly on the offensive and Naxxar clearing everything that came their way. However it must be said that San Gwann were not dangerous as in the first half.
Naxxar withstood the pressure and tried a sole attempt through Magri.
Eleven minutes from time, Naxxar forged ahead. It was a spectacular goal scored by Gilbert Camilleri who withstood the pressure inside the San Gwann to beat Spiteri with a great curling shot that finished in the top corner of the net. San Gwann threw everything in attack with the Naxxar goalkeeper saving the day with another spectacular save off a Spiteri dipper. In stoppage time Malcolm Buttigieg should have obtained the equaliser when he incredibly missed in front of goal following a Karl Sciberras move.
But when San Gwann seemed to have lost all hopes of saving the match, it was Malcolm Buttigieg who made amends when he headed in a dramatic and deserved equaliser following a Clint Gatt cross.