Vittoriosa S.-Naxxar L. 0-1

Vittoriosa S.: S. Cini, BF Mella Arriagada (S. Bamba), S. Ousmane, M. Pereira, AOD Guerrero, M. Buttigieg, L. Vella Critien, C. Spiteri, G. Martin (A. Spiteri), M. Garcia, S. Arab.

Naxxar L. J. Azzopardi, V. Bellia, A. Buhagiar, RG Cassar, G. Da Silva Ribeiro, A. Decesare (J. Ani), M. del Negro, P. Doffo, T. Lopez de Souza, T. Scerri (D. Bonnici), E. Silva dos Santos.

Referee: C. Lautier

Asst refs: I. Spiteri, A. Borg Cardona

Additional asst. refs: M. Borg, F. Zammit

4th official: M. Scerri

Scorer: T. Scerri

Yellow cards: A. Decesare, D. Da Silva Ribeiro, A. Buhagiar

Player of the match: V. Bellia

TMI Top 3: 1. V. Bellia, 2. G. Da Silva Ribeiro, 3. A. Guerrero.

A Terence Scerri goal on 19 minutes was enough for Naxxar Lions to beat Vittoriosa Stars yesterday – their second win in succession following their surprise 2-1 success over Valletta.

But despite meriting their victory, the Lions were made to fight hard by a Stars side which made a gallant rally in the final 30 minutes and were also unlucky not to have snatched an equaliser.

The victory keeps the Lions firmly in contention for a Top Six berth.

This was a keenly fought match which provided a lot of entertainment for all those present at the Hibs Stadium and those who watched it on TV.

In the first half, Naxxar held an edge over their opponents and deserved their slender 1-0 lead.

The Lions controlled midfield with Pablo Doffo, veteran Victor Bellia and Angus Buhagiar on the right flank, enabling the team to force the pressure on the Stars defence.

In the first 30 minutes or so, the Stars never appeared to be in the match, but in the final 15 minutes, they managed to create at least two good chances but they failed to take advantage of some favourable situations.

In the second half, it was still Naxxar who dictated play at first, but Vittoriosa fought back gamely in the final 30 minutes as they pressed hard for an equaliser, forcing the Lions on the defensive for most of the time.

The Stars did everything but score. They had an effort hitting the post and goalie Azzopardi thwarted them on at least two occasions. But they again missed some chances and that was what really led to their downfall.

On 13 minutes, Stars goalie Cini did well to intercept a dangerous cross from Angus Buhagiar.

Four minutes later, it was Da Silva Ribeiro who tried his luck from 25 metres, but the ball went well over the bar.

Naxxar eventually – and deservedly – took the lead on 19 minutes. Bellia started the move in midfield by setting Da Silva Ribeiro on the left. The latter’s low cross was met by Terence Scerri who showed no mercy from two metres.

Until then, the Stars were not in the match but on 28 minutes, it was Pereira who provided their first attempt, but his shot was well off target.

Moments later, they were closer to an equaliser when Pereira crossed low into the Naxxar area, but Gilbert Martin’s left footer went just over.

Martin should have done better on 34 minutes when a loose ball put him in front of Julian Azzopardi, but he miskicked completely and the Naxxar goalie could block with ease. Immediately afterwards, at the other end, it was Angus Buhagiar who had a fine effort going just wide. Later, the same Buhagiar had another low effort blocked by Cini.

On 56 minutes, Scerri had a shot blocked by the diving Cini and moments later, it was again the Stars goalie who blocked in two attempts a long distance effort by Bellia.

In the 59th minute, Marcelo Pereira had a shot blocked by Doffo. At the other end, Silva dos Santos missed a good chance, hitting wide from the edge of the small box.

The Stars threatened seriously to equalise on 68 minutes when Guerrero crossed low into the area. A melee ensued but Samir Arab’s shot was blocked by Azzopardi.

Vittoriosa insisted in attack and in the 71st minute, they were unlucky not to have equalised. From a Guerrero cross, Pereira’s header hit the upright and goalie Azzopardi managed to turn the ball away.

In added injury time, it was substitute Adam Spiteri who went close with a fine rising shot that just missed the post.

It was evident that it was just not their day!