Marsa: J. Debono, G. Bencini, K. Scerri, D. Vella, N. Fasinelli (A. Scerri), J. Dalli (S. Cutajar), E. Yanchev, V. Bellia, D. Cucciardi, W. Chircop, G. Martin.

St. George's: B. Paris, B. Fenech, R. Conceicao, L. Lagana (E. Degabriele), C. Brincat, K. Formosa (E. Sevasta), J. Spiteri, L. Mizzi, H. Schembri (E. Do Nascimento), L. Grima, A. Bonello.

Referee: A.M. Sant, Ass. referees: M. Debono, G. Barbara, 4th official: J. Attard

Scorers: R. Conceicao (pen), D. Cucciardi, L. Mizzi,

Yellow cards: L. Grima, D. Cucciardi, K. Formosa, R. Conceicao, L. Mizzi, E. Do Nascimento, W. Chircop

Player of the match: L. Mizzi

TMI best Three: 1. L. Mizzi 2. A. Scerri 3. L. Grima

St George's obtained their first victory of the season beating fellow struggling partners Marsa by the odd goal in three. It was a keenly contested match with St George's worthy winners, even though they scored their winning goal ironically during Marsa's best patch.

In fact the Saints dominated the first half in which they managed to take a deserved lead through a harsh penalty decision near the end.

In the second half the Saints had to withstand the Red Blues' pressure, especially after the inclusion of striker Andrew Scerri in attack. This move helped Marsa in no small way as they obtained the equaliser and even looked capable of turning the tide in their favour.

However with ten minutes to go, St George's scored the winner, and dominated the last stages of the match as Marsa were unable to stage another comeback, with St George's missing some scoring chances in the end, that could have increased their tally.

St George's were still without Do Nascimento, and also Edgar Degabriele who both started on the substitute's bench, and were also without central defender Sevasta. However coach Marco Gerada recovered Clive Brincat and Renato Conceicao, who were both suspended in their last outing against Sliema.

Marsa coach Edmund Lufi made only one change from the team that obtained a surprise draw against Msida, with Jeremy Dalli playing instead of Brandon Zammit.

St George's could have easily forged ahead on four minutes when Heathcliff Schembri pounced on a Marsa defensive blunder, but his shot from five metres left much to be desired. Two minutes later the Saints went close again with a Larry Lagana cross shot hitting the crossbar.

The Saints continued to show the better ideas in the opening phase and went close again on 17 minutes when Marsa goalkeeper Debono partially saved a Mizzi freekick, but Heathcliff Schembri failed to connect in front of goal.

On 23 minutes the Marsa goalkeeper was again called in action saving a spectacular overhead kick by Lawrence Mizzi.

St George's had to make their first change on 35 minutes as Larry Lagana limped off with Edgar Degabriele taking his place.

Three minutes later Marsa created their first danger when Diego Cucciardi first timed over the bar a well taken corner by Martin.

A minute before the break St George's took the lead through a disputed penalty awarded by referee Sant for a dubious handling by Jeremy Dalli following a Schembri cross. From the resultant penalty Conceicao made no mistake with a grounder to give the Saints a deserved half time lead.

The second half started with Gilbert Martin hitting the crossbar direct from a freekick. However the Saints were always ready to hit back. Johann Spiteri shot over the bar after a fine solo run, and Lawrence Mizzi hit slightly high following a Conceicao pass.

Marsa coach Lufi introduced Andrew Scerri half way through the second half and this move paid rich dividends as Marsa started to play better in attack with Gilbert Martin finding more space to roam around.

And on 71 minutes they obtained the equaliser when Gilbert Martin went through on the left and passed to Andrew Scerri, whose rising shot hit the crossbar and from the rebound Cucciardi headed home.

Marsa were now playing better and defender Darren Vella was denied by a brilliant Paris save following a fine move on the right. But on 80 minutes St George's were back in the lead when Johann Spiteri passed to Lawrence Mizzi whose first attempt was somehow blocked by Debono, but the same Mizzi shot home the rebound from an acute angle.

After this goal, St George's were in full command with Lawrence Mizzi missing a glorious chance with an open goal at his mercy.