Dingli S 1
Naxxar L 2
Darren Falzon’s last-gasp winner gave Naxxar Lions their first points of the season in a game between two sides who lost in their first outing. Dingli had been trounced by Pieta 6-1 while Naxxar lost 2-0 to Vittoriosa. Falzon scored four minutes after debutant Angus Buhagiar was sent off late in the game.
AThere were several goal-scoring opportunities in the first half.
The first came to Naxxar on 12 minutes when Sunday Eboh had his half-volley deflected for a corner following a Ivanilson Serino Junior free-kick. A minute later Gilbert Camilleri should have done better for the Lions when he headed Darren Falzon’s freekick straight in the arms of goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.
Dingli responded in the 16th minute when Senior David’s header finished inches wide following a Lyden Micallef corner. Again it was Dingli who came close eight minutes later when Senior David just missed the target from the edge of the area following a good pass by Leontiev Konda.
The Lions were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute, a decision which brought severe protests from the Dingli rearguard. Anthony Ewurun fell immediately after making contact with Etienne Farrugia with Chris Lautier pointing to the spot. Andre Rocha Da Silva sent Jeffrey Farrugia the wrong way to give his side the lead.
But Dingli reacted immediately. First it was Konda who should have done better when fed by David, but the Bulgarian with only the goalkeeper to beat drove the ball feebly into his arms. But the Swallows managed to equalise on 35 minutes when Senior Davis rose well to anticipate Julian Azzopardi who tried to cut a Kurt Pace magnificent cross from the left to head home.
Dingli S: J. Farrugia; A. Portelli, K. Pace, R. Micallef (J. Sapiano), L. Konda, K. Formosa, S. David, B. Guga, E. Farrugia, E. Grech, L. Micallef (F. Cauchi)
Naxxar L: J. Azzopardi; A. Buhagiar, J. Vella, K. Drago (L. Micallef), S. Eboh, A. Rocha Da Silva (P. Doffo), V. Bellia, G. Camilleri (J. Debono), D. Falzon, A. Ewurun, I. Serino Junior
Referee: Chris Lautier
Gzira U 1
Pieta H 4
Pieta Hotspurs secured their second win of the season scoring 10 goals goals in the process. For Gzira this was their second successive defeat as they are looking to find the going tough in the First Divsion League.
Pieta were surely the most aggressive side in the first 45 minutes. Their pace was daunting especially every time Raphael Kooh Sohna had the ball. It took them just 12 minutes to lead the Second Division Champions when that man Raphael Kooh Sohna picked up a ball from Cleaven Frendo and his darting run was impossible to cope with to beat Simon Agius with a low drive.
Gzira did not react as Edmond Lufi’s side were too superior. It was no surprise that Pieta scored a second when it was that an again Raphael Kooh Sohna who on 28 minutes controlled the ball with elegance to score with a low drive.
On the half hour the same striker could have easily made it a hat-trick when his his cross-shot was blocked by a defender, the ball again came into his path, with his shot crossing the face of goal with goalkeeper Agius beaten.
At last Gzira ventured forward and on 37 minutes Jimmy Hussey found Alfred Effiong, who on the run dribbled past two defenders but his control had much to be desired with goalkeeper Miguel Montfort rushing out to retrieve the ball.
On resumption the Maroons came out attacking the Pieta rearguard and on 50 minutes an Alfred Effiong close range header was saved by Miguel Montfort. Three minutes later Gzira came back into the match when Montfort and his defence made a blunder of a Pierre Grima cross, the ball fell invitingly into the path of veteran Simon Shead who crossed the ball over the line.
On 67 minutes a Steven Meilak header from a Ciao Suguino Garcia corner finished just over the top. When Gzira looked on the verge that they might get an equaliser, Pieta finished them off when they scored a gem of a goal. Quilin Refalo from an impossible angle, from the left following a Jurgen Vella cross scored with a low drive. A minute later Gzira came close when Effiong’s effort was saved well by Montfort.
Six minutes from time Pieta missed a sitter when Jurgen Pisani drove the ball high and wide from underneath the crossbar following a good run and cross by Quilin Refalo.
On 91 minutes it was Raphael Kooh Sohna who after receiving a magnificent pass from substitute Kyle Cesare, drove the ball home thanks to another good run to make it a wonderful hat-trick.
Pieta H.: M. Montfort, A. Spiteri, Q. Refalo (D. Caruana), R. Kooh Sohna, T. Agius (K. Cesare), L. Mallia, C. Cassar, J. Zarate, I. Grech, L Mutasi, C. Frendo (J. Pisani).
Gzira U: S. Agius, K. Cassar (S. Meilak), P. Grima, J. P. Scerri (A. Galea), J. Chetcuti, J. Hussey, R. Deguara, K. Saliba, S. Shead, A. Effiong, C. Garcia Suguino.
Referee: Paul Caruana