Vittoriosa reclaimed victory over St George's in the replayed Cottonera derby match. The Stars had won the first match 3-2, but it was annulled by the disciplinary commission and a replay had to be staged.

Yesterday the Stars once again emerged victories and they fully deserved their victory. The Stars outclassed their opponents in the first half and controlled their opponents in the second, even missing some scoring chances late in the game especially through Eviparker who missed a sitter minutes from time.

For St George's it was the second derby defeat in four days after losing to Senglea last Sunday, thus missing another golden opportunity to take sole leadership. On the contrary, the Saints are now joined by the same Vittoriosa in the table.

Vittoriosa were dominant from the very first minute and after only four minutes a Johann Spiteri shot slightly missed the target. Five minutes later Vittoriosa took the lead. A Pierre Aquilina free kick was brilliantly met by Anthony Eviparker who headed home from close range. Vittoriosa continued to pile the pressure and went close again with shots from Justin Camilleri and Eviparker.

On 22minutes a Kenneth Abela shot missed the target, and two minutes later Eviparker chested the ball towards Chukunyere who first timed slightly wide. On 27 minutes a Stephen Calleja shot went over the bar as Vittoriosa continued to dictate matters.

The Saints' first lease of life came on 30 minutes when Iro Curmi missed a glaring chance in front of goal when he failed to head home an inviting Sciberras free kick. Five minutes later Vittoriosa goalkeeper Alex Camilleri saved the day for his side when he brilliantly saved a Mark Gauci free kick.

St George's looked a better lot in the second half but on 52 minutes Vittoriosa doubled the score. Kenneth Abela had a brilliant run on the right and crossed towards Darren Grech whose grounder hit the base of the upright before finishing at the back of the net.

But four minutes later St George's were back in the reckoning when a Mark Gauci free kick created havoc in the Stars' rearguard and Iro Curmi managed to hit home from close range.

The game was now balanced and keenly contested. Twenty minutes from time Vittoriosa should have wrapped up the match when Eviparker passed to the unmarked Kenneth Abela whose shot destined for the back of the net was cleared of the line by Sevasta.

No further scoring chances were noted in the last part of the match as the condition of the Kordin surface became near to impossible due to the heavy rain that fell incessantly throughout the match.

The final whistle saw the Vittoriosa fans go wild in jubilation as they celebrated the victory with their players in pouring rain.