Attard-Pembroke Ath 4-1
Attard became the seventh and final team to gain promotion from the Third to the Second Division after beating Pembroke in this promotion decider.
Pembroke Athleta broke the deadlock after just eight minutes as Carlo Leonardi managed to end a solo run with a low shot which went in past Attard’s custodian Dunstan Zarb.
Attard came back strongly and managed to draw level on 12 minutes when their striker Bydasser Sammut was fouled in the penalty area by Pembroke’s custodian Matthew Calleja. A penalty was awarded and Calleja partially saved Clive Lanzon’s kick from the spot with the loose ball being picked up by Lanzon who shot in from close-range.
Gradually Attard started dominating the proceedings and took a deserved lead in the 21st minute as Bydasser Sammut unleashed a strong shot which flashed in past Calleja.
Then an indecision by Calleja allowed Attard to score through Darren Galea who was however in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.
On 34 minutes Erjon Beu increased Attard’s lead with a low angled shot and two minutes later the same player was again close as Pembroke gained a free-kick on 44 minutes which was taken by Jean Claude Borg and Malcolm Sammut headed just over the bar.
After the change of ends Pembroke failed to react with Attard remaining totally in control.
In the 46th minute Attard were denied by Mattew Calleha off a conclusion by Erjon Beu and then a shot by Kayne Said just missed the target.
Attard kept pushing forward and were again very close through an Erjon Beu crosshot with the Athleta losing defender Junior Sank on 63 minutes following a second booking.
Pembroke went close in the 73rd minute with Carlo Leonardi heading just wide from close-range.
Attard continued to dictate the match and in the 75th minute a lob by Erjon Beu ended just high over the bar whereas in the closing minutes a Clive Lanzon free-kick was blocked by the Pembroke defensive barrier.
Two minutes into injury-time Attard scored yet another goal with Kayne Said beating Matthew Calleja with a low close-range shot.
Referee: Luke Portelli.