Naxxar L 1

Hamrun S 0

Naxxar Lions climbed to third place in the table beating a disappointing Hamrun side. The Spartans fresh from two consecutive victories were a pale shadow of the team that played so well in the last outings.

On their part Naxxar in their third positive result, stunned their opponents and won thanks to a brilliant Gilbert Camilleri goal before the half hour. Ismael Zammit marred a five star performance when he was sent off near the end, whilst goalkeeper Agius was surely the best player on the field denying the Spartans with some brilliant saves in the second period.

Hamrun Spartans had Rupert Mangion back in their ranks, and Naxxar welcomed back goalkeeper Kevin Agius. Hamrun had more of the ball in the first half, but they lacked penetration, with Gaetan Spiteri never really served. Kevin Borg had a very high work rate, and Steve Meilak was the Spartans' most in-form player.

On their part Naxxar were very solid in defence and their goalkeeper was only called in action to intercept crosses from both flanks. Peter Anizoba playing in a midfield role was instrumental in the first half giving a great helping hand to the Lions' cause. Naxxar went ahead on 28 minutes when Zammit passed to Gilbert Camilleri who chested the ball beautifully before penetrating inside the area to beat the helpless Falzon in the Hamrun goal, for a very well executed goal.

Hamrun failed to make a decent reaction despite keeping constant possession of the ball. Their only danger came before the break when Kevin Borg could only shoot weakly from an ideal position, with Agius saving without much difficulty.

For the second period Hamrun introduced Mead Mifsud for the disappointing Mangion and looked more menacing in the first minutes with a Meilak shot saved by Agius, and a header by substitute Mifsud going slightly wide. Naxxar's penalty area looked like an underground station in the rush hour, with the Lions defending with all their elements.

Spiteri hit high following a solo action and on 70 minutes Stefan Sultana headed slightly wide a Borg corner from the right. Naxxar eased the pressure going near the second goal on two occassions. An Ismael Zammit free-kick went slightly over the bar, and on 77 minutes Justin Zammit missed a sitter in front of goal when he hesitated with only Falzon to beat.

Eight minutes from time the Naxxar goalkeeper was brilliant saving his side on three occasions in the same action denying Spiteri, Sultana and Micallef. Two minutes later Naxxar's Zammit and Hamrun's Spiteri were sent off for dissent.