Marsaxlokk-Dingli S. 1-0

Marsaxlokk: G. Zammit, C. Mamo, G. Sciberras, B. Said, M. Deanov, P. Pullicino, W. Camenzuli (T. Templeman), R. Bajada (M. Licari), D. Kokavessis (C. Camilleri), E. Yanchev, F. Raimy

Dingli S: J. Farrugia, R. Conceicao, S. Tellus, R. Spiteri (H. Doda), K. Formosa, C. Muscat, D. Cachia, K. Borg (D. Zarb), M. Borg, A. Rocha Da Silva (R. Briffa), J. Okonkwo.

Referee: A. Arciola asst.refs: J. Camilleri, M. Debono 4th official: M. Borg

Scorer: M. Licari

Yellow cards: E. Yanchev, M. Licari

Player of the match: Martin Deanov (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top three: 1. A. Rocha Da Silva 2. G. Zammit 3. M. Deanov

Marsaxlokk registered their first Premier League win of the new season, but only just. A sole goal in the late stages, scored by substitute Malcolm Licari gave them the first points after conceding defeat to Hibernians. But they faced really stiff opposition from the much improved newcomers Dingli Swallows, thanks to the debut of Andre Rocha Da Silva, from whose feet came the afternoon’s most pleasant passes.

After their 4-1 defeat by Tarxien in their opening match, Dingli yesterday looked more composed at the back, quite creative in midfield and, although they failed to score, created enough opportunities which could have won them the match.

Admittedly, Marsaxlokk were also twice denied by the woodwork, but had to rely on their goalkeeper Glenn Zammit who kept them in the match with some good saves in crucial moments.

Each side made two changes from their first outing. Marsaxlokk had Brian Said returning in defence with Dylan Kokavessis starting the match as Brincat and Licari were relegated to the bench.

Dingli had Andre Rocha Da Silva making his first appearance for the Swallows with Kurt Formosa starting the match instead of Etienne Farrugia. Matthew Borg played as centre back with Conceicao advancing in midfield. Jeremy Agius was not included in their squad.

Dingli made the more assertive start and for the first half hour they commanded the proceedings, with Marsaxlokk mostly bystanders. The latter fluffed the first real chance though, after 11 minutes play. As Sciberras and Tellus collided in an aerial tussle on the edge of the Dingli area, the ball fell to the unmarked Kokavessis, whose shot was blocked by Dingli keeper Farrugia.

Dingli were more menacing going forward as Okonkwo benefited from the support of Da Silva behind him. Da Silva’s direct free kick past the quarter hour was tipped over the bar by keeper Zammit into a corner.

A Kevin Borg volley was again saved by the Marsaxlokk keeper, before Okonkwo skied the ball from the edge of the area.

On 21 minutes, a Da Silva effort was blocked and Okonkwo’s shot on the loose ball was headed by Mamo into a corner.

That heralded Dingli’s best spell. Towards the half hour, Marsaxlokk put their first shot on target – a long range shot by Camenzuli, easily blocked by the keeper.

For the remainder of the half, they could have even taken the lead. Kokavessis again found himself inside the Dingli area, but was foiled by keeper Farrugia. And after a Deanov free kick went inches wide, Kokavessis’ lob clipped the Dingli bar after Okonkwo had headed out a Marsaxlokk corner from the right.

Still it was goalless at halftime.

The second half was also eventful although less entertaining. Dingli remained the more offensive until the hour, that is until Da Silva was substituted, probably because not fully fit. His free kick after the restart went over and on 55 minutes Okonkwo went past Mamo on the right. His low cross was missed by Formosa but fell to Conceicao, whose shot was smartly saved into a corner by keeper Zammit.

That kept Marsaxlokk into the match as Dingli lost much of their gloss in the absence of Da Silva.

In fact Marsaxlokk’s goal, on 73 minutes, came almost by accident. Tellus’ clearance rebounded off Kokavessis and fell to the unattended substitute Malcolm Licari, wide on the right, to score with a low diagonal drive that skidded past the innerside of the upright before crossing the line.

Dingli failed to make a reaction, even though Haruna Doda made a late appearance, and almost conceded a second minutes later when Deanov’s shot on the turn thumped against the upright. But on the day, that would have been harsh justice on plucky Swallows.