St Patrick 1

Vittoriosa S 1

Vittoriosa and St Patrick gained a point each in a rather drab encounter, with all the action and best moves coming in the last 20 minutes of the match.

For St Patrick this was another positive result after their first victory last week against Birzebbuga.

Under the guidance of former stalwart Robert Cassar, St Patrick gave another spirited display and the point gained was deserved. Vittroriosa had more of the ball, but St Patrick defended well and were always dangerous in their counter breaks.

Goalmouth actions were scarce in the first half with St Patrick having the first attempt when Steven Dimech blasted well over the bar from an ideal position. On 30 minutes Vittoriosa had their first attempt when Malcolm Buttigieg passed towards Isaac Henry who lobbed over the bar from an ideal position.

Minutes later Marcelo Pereira had a good opportunity after receiving from Henry, but his shot went wide.

On the resumption, St Patrick went very close on 55 minutes when substitute Randall Vella passed towards the unmarked Steven Dimech who hit the side netting from an acute angle.

On 68 minutes Vittoriosa took the lead when Marcelo Pereira took possession of the ball outside the penalty area and scored with a low shot.

Ten minutes later St Patrick went close when Engoudou failed to head home from an ideal position.

Seconds later Vittoriosa could have sealed the issue when Pereira passed towards Henry Isaac who, all alone in front of goal, lobbed over the bar.

Henry tried to make amends minutes later but, after dribbling past a couple of defenders, shot weakly in Galea’s waiting hands. Eleven minutes from time St Patrick obtained a deserved equaliser when Engoudou passed towards the unmarked Randall Vella, and the substitute made no mistake with an angled shot that finished in the back of the net.

St Patrick: J. Galea, E. Grech, M. Vella, A. Galea, J. Farrugia, S. Zerafa, B. Gockaj, I. Scicluna (R. Vella), A. Ellul (R. Cassar), S. Dimech, B. Engoudou

Vittoriosa S: J.M. Vella, J. Camilleri, B. Bonnici, S. Tellus, J. Spiteri, R. Sell (D. Pace), M. Pereira, E. Azzopardi, M. Buttigieg, S. Piscopo (J. Dalli), I. Henry.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant