Newly promoted Rabat Ajax marked their return to First Division football after two seasons, with an impressive display against a disappointing St. George’s side.

Rabat Ajax fully deserved their victory with Adam Smeir having a very good performance, and with Justin Felice scoring a brace. The Saints should and could do better, and need to improve considerably.

The match was rather boring in the first half with Rabat Ajax showing the better ideas as they dominated the last part. However the Saints had their first attempt at goal on nine minutes when Glenn Bonello should have done better after receiving from Gary Inguanez.

The newly promoted side started to play better and Justin Felice had a central shot well blocked by Galea. The Saints’ goalkeeper was again called in action two minutes later when he charged out of position to block Adam Smeir.

On 33 minutes Justin Felice could have done better but he hesitated in front of goal and was blocked in time by Sevasta. However Felice made amends four minutes later when he scored with a low shot following a good Adam Smeir run. A minute from the break Rabat had another opportunity, again through Justin Felice but his shot sailed over the bar.

Rabat started the second period like a house on fire as they ripped the Saints’ defence apart. On 50 minutes Adam Smeir made his way inside the penalty area and passed towards Ryan Micallef whose effort was blocked by Galea and from the rebound, Galea again blocked Felice’s close range shot.

But on 55 minutes Rabat deservedly doubled the score. Adam Smeir again created havoc in the Saints’ defence, his shot was brilliantly blocked by Galea, but from the rebound Justin Felice scored his second goal of the day with a half volley.

The Saints had some good moments thanks to the introduction of Anthony Bonello and Reda Boutahir. The Saints should have pulled one back on 66 minutes but Dylan Zarb shot over the bar from an ideal position.

However Rabat controlled their opponents and went close to third nine minutes from time but Adam Smeir was not so sharp in front of Galea.

St. George’s T. Galea, E. Sevasta, K. Magro, D. Zahra (A. Bonello), A. Abela, H. Schembri, D. Zarb, C. Grech (V. Bouvette), G. Inguanez, G. Bonello, A.Mercieca (R. Boutahir).

Rabat A S. Mintoff, N. Caruana, C. Schembri, J. Cornforth, J. Felice (R. Vassallo), A. Smeir, D. Falzon, C. Muscat, R. Micallef (K. Muscat), D. Azzopardi, C. Gauci.

Referee Kevin Azzopardi