Rabat A 0

Naxxar L 2

Naxxar Lions stunned promotion aspirants Rabat Ajax with a goal in each half to earn a surprise and deserved victory. Rabat needed the victory to make sure of promotion amongst the elite after an eleven-year wait, but they have to wait a little longer after being dominated by a spirited Naxxar side.

Guided by a brilliant Victor Bellia Naxxar played a majestic match, with Darren Falzon sharp in front of goal and with Lima Siqueira also playing a great match. In defence goalkeeper Azzopardi was outstanding in his sorties and even effected a brilliant save off a Ryan Micallef close range effort. Andrea Farrugia also played a blinder, clearing a ball off the goal line and scoring the second goal to seal the issue.

The game was very balanced in the opening stages with Naxxar giving Rabat a very good run for their money. After some shots from the edge of the area for Rabat, Naxxar forged ahead on 14 minutes when Lima Siqueira passed towards Darren Falzon who kept control of the ball to beat Sean Mintoff with a low drive.

Rabat hit back six minutes later when Cauchi’s cross from the right was met by Arlindo Rustemi whose shot finished on the roof of the net. On 34 minutes from another Cauchi cross from the right flank, Joseph Caruana headed slightly over the bar.

On 40 minutes Rabat had their best chance of the first half when Ryan Micallef’s close range scorcher was somehow blocked by the Naxxar goalkeeper. Just before the break Aboebina won a good ball in midfield and passed towards Darren Falzon who missed a sitter all alone in front of goal.

On the resumption Rabat Ajax missed another glorious chance in front of goal when Smeir blasted over the bar from two meters following a Rustemi cross from the right. On the hour Rabat went close again when Adam Smeir went inside the area and beat Azzopardi with a grounder but defender Andrea Farrugia cleared the ball off the goal line.

On seventy one minutes Naxxar almost doubled the score in a fast break with Ballia passing towards Darren Falzon who all alone in front of Mintoff failed to beat the Rabat custodian who blocked his effort.

Seven minutes later Naxxar went close again when Siqueira passed towards the unmarked Agboebina who hit the side netting with an angled shot. But three minutes later the Lions were not to be denied when Bellia started another fast break, passed towards Darren Falzon who in turn crossed towards the onrushing Andrea Farrugia who beat Mintoff with a central but powerful drive.

From then onwards Naxxar, who are now in fourth place in the standings, controlled with relative ease as Rabat threw in the towel.

Rabat A. S. Mintoff, C. Schembri (D. Falzon), J. Cornforth, J. Caruana, A. Smeir, A. Rustemi, C. Muscat, V. Caushi (D. Azzopardi), Y. Cauchi, R. Micallef (J. Felice), C. Gauci.

Naxxar L J. Azzopardi, A. Farrugia (A. Del Negro), L. Micalef, K. Drago, R. Schembri, H. Lima Siqueira, V. Bellia, M. Del Negro (K. Farrugia), M. Maccari, D. Falzon, O. Agboebina.

Referee Marco Borg