Four players, two from each side were sent off by referee Lautier, as top sides St Patrick and Dingli Swalows failed to score yesterday in a low key match.
The result is a fair one as both sides did not deserve the three points for their display yesterday. The game only came to life in the last twenty minutes of the match when both sides were reduced to ten men.
This result leaves St Patrick as sole leaders, with a point advantage over Pieta who have a game in hand. The dismissals were practically the highlight of the match with the best save of the game effected by the Saints’goalkeeper Cassar who denied Ciappara of a certain goal.
The first half was a bore to watch with both sides unable to have a decent shot at goal Both sides packed the midfield sector and the attackers had a difficult afternoon. The only thing worth noting in the first half was Anywanna’s dismissal midway through the first half.
The Nigerian striker elbowed defender Matthew Fleri Soler and referee Lautier showed him the red card. The Saints however failed to take advantage as they never realy tested goalkeeper Farrugia.
In the second half St Patrick started on a better note as they increased their rhythm of play and Dingli were pressed in their own box.
The Saints first and best chance came on 56 minutes when Anizoba’s cross was headed over the bar by Ilyad Scicluna from two meters, missing a glorious chance. On the hour both teams were back to numerical level when Mark Pullicino was shown two yellow cards in the space of three minutes.
The game was now faster as both defences lost their grip on the attackers. Peter Anizoba missed an incredible scoring chance heading wide with only Farrugia to beat. On the other end Mark Galea beat the Saints offside trap but lobbed wide when all alone in front Cassar.
Dingli had another fast break with Ciappara failing to connect to a good cross by Ryan Mintoff. Dingli’s best chance came on 88 minutes when Chris Ciappara’s lob was brilliantly saved by Cassar who saved the day for his side.
In the dying seconds of the match referee Lautier was busy, showing two more red cards to Kurt Formosa of St. Patrick and Dingli’s captain Edwin Casha, both for their second bookable offence.