St Patrick 1

Naxxar L 2

A Darren Falzon goal scored five minutes from time proved to be fatal for St Patrick who did not deserve to leave the field empty handed.

Naxxar had a good start and took the lead half way through the first half, but the Saints came back strongly and dominated the match for long stretches. But despite playing one of their best matches so far this season, the bottom of the table side paid dearly for some missed chances to remain anchored at the bottom.

On their part Naxxar returned to winning ways after their defeat against league leaders Pieta in their last outing, and are now occupying a healthy position in the middle of the table. The Lions were not at their best yesterday, but players like Victor Bellia and Lima Siqueira stood out for the winners.

Naxxar took the lead after 22 minutes. Victor Belia passed towards Mattia Del Negro who beat Grech from an acute angle.

Slowly but surely the Saints crawled back in the game and on 35 minutes they were back on level terms. A Jurgen Farrugia crosssplit the Naxxar defence and Gockaj’s close range flick was handled by Aaron Attard on the goal line. From the resultant penalty Spas Spasov sent Justin Spiteri the wrong way.

St Patrick continued to attack on the resumption with shots from Jurgen Farrugia going over the bar. On the hour Blendi Gockaj missed a sitter in front of goal when he failed to head home an inviting cross from the right by Evair Grech.

Five minutes from time Naxxar scored the winner when Lima Siqueira won a ball in midfield and passed towards Darren Falzon who beat Grech with a fierce drive.

St. Patrick: J. Grech, E. Grech (S. Dimech), R. Ceka, S. Zerafa, M. Vella, C. Camilleri, J. Farrugia, B. Gockaj, A. Galea, S. Spasov, A. Ellul (R. Cassar) (M. Onurah).

Naxxar L: J. Spiteri, K. Drago, L. Micallef (A. Del Negro), A. Attard, R. Schembri, H. Lima Siqueira, J. Debono, V. Bellia, M. Del Negro (K. Fenech), D. Falzon, M. Maccari.

Referee: Philip Farrugia