Naxxar L. 5

St George’s 0

Naxxar had a five star performance yesterday against St George’s scoring five goals in the process, with Darren Falzon scoring a hat trick.

The match was a one way traffic affair with Naxxar always on the attack and with the Saints unable to offer stiff resistance. The Saints are now in a sorry state in deep relegation trouble.

On the other hand Naxxar are now in healthier position in the middle of the table, and can have their say in the second round if they repeat yesterday’s performance. Apart from Darren Falzon who played a blinder apart from scoring three goals in the process, Hallison Lima Siqueira was arguably Naxxar’s best player as he practically had a say in all of Naxxar’s goals.

Naxxar dominated from the early stages of the match with the Saints constantly on the defensive. On eight minutes Naxxar took the lead when Hallison Lima Siqueira passed towards Mattia Del Negro who fired in the top corner of the net with a shot on the turn.

Naxxar continued to press forward with Andre Da Silva missing a sitter al alone in front of goal. On 23 minutes Darren Falzon tested goalkeeper Thomas Galea who saved in style.

Five minutes later St George’s had their first attempt at goal with Gary Inguanez’s shot well blocked by Julian Azzopardi. On 31 minutes a Darren Falzon freekick missed the upright by a whisker.

On 39 minutes Naxxar doubled the score when Da Silva dribbled past Sevasta and passed towards Darren Falzon who fired a great shot in the top corner giving Thomas Galea no chance to save.

Just before the break Naxxar went close again with a good Lima Siqueira freekick brilliantly saved by Thomas Galea.

On the resumption Naxxar immediately put the issue beyond any doubt when they scored a third. Lima Siqueira did all the spade work and passed towards Darren Falzon who raced forward to beat Thomas Galea with a precise grounder.

The Saints were now dead and buried and Naxxar added a fourth on 61 minutes when Darren falzon passed towards Lima Siqueira who dribbled past goalkeeper Thomas Galea and scored from a very acute angle.

The Saints could have scored a consolation goal on 65 minutes but De Azevedo’s close range effort was well saved by Azzopardi. Naxxar went close to a fifth goal when Mattia Del Negro hit the upright after a Maccari pass.

But the fifth goal arrived six minutes from time when Darren Falzon notched his hat trick with another low shot after another pass from Lima Siqueira.

Three minutes from time St George’s misery was complete when they had Alan Abela sent off.

Naxxar L – J. Azzopardi, A. Farrugia, L. Micallef, A. Attard, R. Schembri, H. Lima Siqueira, M. Del Negro, V. Bellia, M. Maccari (A. Del Negro), D. Falzon (K. Farrugia), A. Da Silva (J. Debono).

St. George’s T. Galea, C. Grech (G. Bonello), E. Sevasta, A. Abela, N. Curmi, L. Rocha Dos Santos, E. Amaira, D. Zarb, H. Schembri, G. Inguanez (R. Boutahir), W. De Azevedo (A. Bonello).

Referee Andre Arciola