A Chris Azzopardi beauty eight minutes from time gave Dingli Swallows their first victory in the competition, against a rather unlucky St George’s side. It must be said that the Saints had more of the ball and even dominated for long stretches of the match, but they missed some easy scoring chances and paid dearly for their mistakes.

Dingli opened the score against the run of play, and St George’s stormed forwardin the second period in search of the equalizer. But after obtaining their deserved equalizer, the Saints suffererd the second goal which was a great goal score by Chris Azzopardi who dribbled his way inside the penalty are before beating the St George’s custodian.

The Saints did the early running and had several scoring chances in the opening 25 minutes. On ten minutes Mark Barbara failed to connect to an inviting cross by Glenn Bonello.

Four minutes later Dylan Zarb passed to the unmarked Barbara whose shot slightly missed the base of the upright. The Saints’ best chance came on 18 minutes when Bonello served Terence Farrugia who all alone in front of goal hesitated and his feeble effort was easily saved by the Dingli custodian.

On 28 minutes Dingli had their first shot at goal with Chris Ciappara testing Galea from long distance. Two minutes later Dingli Swallows took the lead when Chris Azzopardi won a ball in the heart of the opposing penalty area, and crossed towards the unmarkd Chris Ciappara who easily slotted home from close range.

In the second half the Saints had good attempts by Leeroy Bonnet and Gary Inguanez blocked by Farrugia. St George’s increased the pressure and fifteen minutes from time Leeroy Bonnet passed towards Mark Barbara, whose close range shot was blocked on the goal line by Tellus.

Two minutes later Inguanez’s cross from the left was handled by Tellus,and from the resultant penalty Glenn Bonello made no mistake. The Saints went all out for the winner but were deceived five minutes later when Chris Azzopardi dribbled past a couple of defenders before beating Galea for the winner.

In the remaining minutes Dingli went close to a third goal but goalkeeper Thomas Galea made two brilliant saves off shots by Bonavia and Briffa.

St. George’s: T. Galea, B. Fenech, L. Stivala (C. Grech), N. Caruana, E. Sevasta, T. Farrugia (L. Bonnet), A. Bonello (D. Zahra), G. Inguanez, M. Barbara, D. Zarb, G. Bonello.

Dingli S: J. Farrugia, S. Zampa, S. Tellus, R. Spiteri (J. Camilleri), R. Vella, C. Ciappara (J. Sapiano), K. Formosa, E. Farrugia, R. Briffa, C. Azzopardi, C. Sammut (K. Bonavia).

Referee: Fiodor Zammit