Birzebugia 2

Naxxar L 4

After beating high flying Zejtun to register their first victory last week, Naxxar Lions continued were they left to beat Birzebbuga and notch the second consecutive victory of the season.

Without setting any houses on fire Naxxar were still good enough to deserve this victory, a victory which puts them in a healthier position in the table. Boris Odwong who scored the winner against Zejtun was outstanding yesterday scoring a hat trick.

On the other hand for Birzebbuga this was the second successive setback after losing against bottom of the table St. Patrick seven days ago.

The match was barely five minutes old and Naxxar Lions were already in front when Boris Odwong took full advantage of some Birzebbuga poor defending to slot the ball home.

But their joy was shortlived as two minutes later Birzebbuga were back on level terms when Dragan Milovic shot home from close range following a Matthew Sciortino header.

Birzebbuga enjoyed territorial superiority forcing the Lions to defend. However Naxxar were menacing in their fast breaks with Darren Falzon once again playing a blinder.

On 23 minutes a Schneider dipper missed the crossbar by inches and on the other end Naxxar’s De Lima Sequeira tried his luck with a good shot on the turn that missed the upright.

On 42 minutes Naxxar were back in front when Darren Falzon’s precise freekick turned around Birzebbuga’s defensive wall to finish past Mansueto at the back of the net.

The second half was less intense with Birzebbuga trying to obtain the equalizer but Naxxar never gave away an inch and kept the Birzebbuga defence on the alert with some fast breaks.

Twenty minutes from time Naxxar sealed the issue when Boris Odwong beat a couple of defenders before beating Mansueto with a low shot. Naxxar were now in full command as Birzebbuga never threatened to save the match.

Howevere in stoppage time Birzebbuga pulled one back when substitute Ronnie Celeste scored from close range following an Onuta header, but Naxxar immediately re-established their two-goal cushion when Boris Odwing scored his hat trick finishing off a fine De Lime Sequeira cross.

Birzebbuga SP: G. Mansueto, K. Spiteri, M. Pullicino, D. Milovic, D. Baldacchino, F. Schneider (B. Marev), L. Grima, M. Sciortino (R. Celeste), M. Mifsud, K. Borg (K. Muscat), B. Onuta.

Naxxar L:J. Spiteri, V. Bellia, J. Debono (M. Maccari), M. Del Negro, D. Falzon (K. Fenech), A. Farrugia, R. Schembri, L. Micallef, A. Attard, H. De Lima Seueira, B. Odwong.

Referee: A. Azzopardi