Birzebbuga SP 1
Naxxar L 3
Naxxar Lions obtained a double on Birzebbuga as they registered their fourth consecutive victory. It was a well deserved one for Winston Muscat’s boys as they were simply better than their opponents.
Naxxar were quick in their moves in attack and could have even won by a bigger margin. Hallison Lima Siqueira was in splendid form as he was always deadly when he got possession of the ball. In front youngster Darren Falzon again distinguished himself with another fine performance as he confirmed his deadly finishing in front of goal.
The victory puts Naxxar temporarily in fifth place as the Lions hope to finish the season amongst the frontrunners. Birzebbuga fought bravely till the end of the first half, but were outclassed in the second as the Naxxar strikers ripped their defence apart.
Naxxar opened the score after only two minutes play when Hallison Lima Siqueira went through on the left flank and his shot was blocked by Casha and from the rebound Osi Lucky Agboebina tapped the ball home from close range.
Siqueira was again dangerous minutes later with his rising shot from the edge of the area slightly missing the crossbar. On 19 minutes Birzebbuga were back on level terms when Frantisek Schneider fired home direct from a freekick.
Naxxar continued to hold the upper hand however and on 29 minutes Lima Siqueira tested Casha who turned the ball into a corner. Two minutes later Casha was again called in action, saving a great effort from Darren Falzon.
From the resultant corner the ball came towards Maccari whose shot on the turn beat Casha but Mark Pullicino cleared the ball from the goal line. Two minutes from the break Naxxar were back in front when Darren Falzon’s shot deceived Ivan Casha with the ball bouncing in front of the Birzebbuga custodian and finishing at the back of the net.
In the remaining minutes Naxxar almost scored a third when Agboebina passed towards Darren Falzon who was blocked in the nick of time by Schneider.
Naxxar had some very good moments at the start of the second half with Darren Falzon hitting the base of the upright on 58 minutes after being well served by Siqueira. Two minutes later Siqueira passed towards Darren Falzon who dribbled past the goalkeeper but his shot destined for the back of the net was blocked on the goal line by Kenneth Spiteri.
In another quick Naxxar move Darren Falzon’s shot missed the upright by a whisker and on the other end a Baldacchino header was saved by Justin Spiteri. On 68 minutes Naxxar made it three when substitute Victor Bellia passed to the unmarked Darren Falzon who controlled the ball before beating Casha with a precise grounder.
Ten minutes from time Birzebbuga went close to pulling one back but Marev missed a glorious chance in front of Spiteri.
Birzebbuga SP I. Casha, K. Spiteri, M. Pullicino, F. Schneider, M. Gabriel, P. Camilleri, K. Muscat (D. Baldacchino), G. Tanti (A. Dalli), M. Sciortino (M. Mifsud), B. Marev, R. Celeste.
Naxxar L J. Spiteri, A. Farrugia (V. Bellia), L. Micallef, K. Drago, R. Schembri, H. Lima Siqueira (A. Del Negro), J. Debono, M. Del Negro, M. Maccari, D. Falzon, O. Agboebina.
Referee Philip Farrugia