St Andrews 0

St Georges 1

St Georges grabbed the first victory of the new season beating St Andrews by a solitary goal in a scrappy affair. The winner was obtained by Gary Inguanez on 51 minutes with St Andrews finishing the match with ten players as Jonathan Bugeja was sent off on 87 minutes.

Although St Georges held territorial superiority in the first half, the only shots at goal came from St Andrews in the dying minutes. On 35 minutes a Jack Pallen shot on the turn slightly missed the crossbar, and seven minutes later the same Pallen failed to lob the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.

On the resumption St Georges scored what proved to be the winner when Gary Inguanez pounced on the only defensive blunder by the St Andrews defence to beat Ibrahim with a neat chip.

St Andrews took full command of the match as St Georges elected to defend their slender lead. St Andrews only came close on 78 minutes with a Pallen scorcher that was brilliantly saved by Thomas Galea.

Three minutes from time St Andrews had Jonathan Bugeja sent in off in rather harsh decision by the referee Attard.

St. Andrew’s – D. Ibrahim, J. Bugeja, R. Hartvig, M. Borg, N. Chetcuti (K. Coleiro), P. Briscoe White (M.Calleja), J. Briscoe White, N. Vella Petroni (E. Grima), M. Valenzia, W. Camilleri, J. Pallen.

St. George’s – T. Galea, A. Bonello, E. Sevasta, N. Caruana, G. Inguanez (D. Zahra), E. Amaira (J. Dalli), B. Fenech, D. Zarb (T. Farrugia), G. Bonello, C. Grech, L. Stivala.

Referee – Sammy Attard

Two little from top contenders

Mosta and Balzan, two of the promotion contenders, had little to show to their credit yesterday in a drab display, and both surely have to give more if they really wish to fight for a promotion place.

Like in the first match, goalmouth actions were very few with William Camenzuli having his first attempt sailing over the bar, and Balzan hit back with a Conceicao overhead kick that was well saved by Debono.

A Ryan Deguara shot missed the target, whilst on the other end Anywanna made his presence felt with a tame effort that was easily saved by Debono. Mosta had their best effort on 38 minutes when Gilbert Martin had an impressive run before serving Ryan Deguara who was blocked by the Balzan goalkeeper.

In the second half Mosta played slightly better and were unlucky when a Gilbert Martin scorcher was stopped by the crossbar.

Mosta – J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, M. Brincat, K. Spiteri, W. Camenzuli, N. Bogdanovic, R. Deguara, L. Grima (A. Cini), S. Shead (J. Bajada), G. Martin.

Balzan Y – F. Tabone, J. Francica, R. Conceicao, R. Forace, C. Ciantar, B. Bondin, M. Sciortino (S. Mizzi), D. Fenech (S. Ciscaldi), U. Anywanna, R. Farrugia, S. Meilaq (A. Agius).

Referee – Andre Arciola