Pembroke A.-Mosta 0-2
Pembroke A: M. Farrugia (M. Muscat), Z. Levnaic, A. Cini, R. Tanti (L. Micallef), P. Barbetti, K. O’Brien, S. Arab (O. Bugeja), A. Laudisi, P. Shereni, G. Villalobos, A. Martz
Mosta: Y. Cini, T. Farrugia, M. Micallef (S. Chukwide), O. Guobadia (K. Frendo), A. Borg, H. Yau, S. Fidelis (D. Falzon), R. Ekani, E. Murga, B. Frederick, J. Brincat
Referee: M. Spiteri
4th official: M. Borg
Scorers: Z. Levnaic 60 og, D. Falzon 85
Yellow cards: M. Farrugia
Red card: P. Shereni
Player of the match: E. Murga (Mosta)
TMI top 3: 1. B. Frederick 2. A. Martz 3. E. Murga
SILVIO VELLA
Mosta were back in the groove after their reverse against Naxxar Lions the previous week, beating ten-man Pembroke Athleta with two second half goals yesterday.
It was far from polished performance though. An own goal paved the way to their victory as they also contrived to miss an early penalty.
This win came also at a price for Mosta who still have to assess the extent of injuries to their players Manolito Micallef and Osa Guobadia, who were forced to be substituted yesterday.
Pembroke were down to ten men after hardly two minutes play as the match was off to a controversial start. Patmore Shereni’s debut for Pembroke was short- lived, when the Zambia defender was harshly sent off for fouling Fidelis inside the area to concede a penalty. Luckily for the newcomers, Fidelis steered the ball wide from the spot kick.
Barbetti was retreated in the heart of the Pembroke defence, alongside Levnaic. But Mosta coach Ivan Zammit was also forced to make a tactical change five minutes later, as Manolito suffered some muscle problem when delivering a deep cross. Samuel Chukwide was introduced in midfield instead, Edin Murga who was returning from suspension, shifting wide on the right.
Mosta were also bereft of the suspended Ian Zammit but James Brincat, Aaron Borg and Saviour Fidelis were all included in the starting line-up as Mosta made four changes from their previous outing.
Mosta however struggled to make good of their numerical superiority as Pembroke remained composed.
Both teams were hindered by a lack of quality and clear-cut chances were at a premium.
Pembroke’s huffing and puffing presented them with a good opportunity past the half hour. Martz’s effort, on an O’Brien cross, was blocked by his teammate Villalobos.
The most Mosta could threaten was with a Frederick’s rising shot that Pemnroke keeper Farrugia tipped over into a corner.
Towards the end of the half, O’Brien’s low shot was turned into a corner by Mosta keeper Cini as the goalless stalemate prevailed at halftime.
Mosta continued to push for an opener with some difficulty after the interval but their efforts were rewarded on the hour. Taking a quick freekick, probably from a more advanced position than where the foul was committed, Edin Murga could make his way down the left and his low cross from inside the area was deflected by Pembroke defender Zoran Levnaic inside his own goal.
After that, Pembroke keeper Farrugia limped off and Mario Muscat replaced him in goal. On 75 minutes, Mosta should have increased their advantage. Frederick played a good pass forward to the advancing Murga, who was denied by keeper Muscat’s smart save into a corner.
With the injured Guobadia forced to leave the pitch on 80 minutes, Mosta made sure of the points five minutes from normal time. Substitute Dyson Falzon, who had replaced Fidelis, picked a Murga cross inside the Pembroke are and beat keeper Muscat with a low drive.
Pembroke eventually tried to muster some sort of response and keeper Cini had to turn Villalobos’ effort into a corner in the dying minutes, but they never looked like reducing the arrears as Mosta finished the game the stronger.
NAXXAR LIONS - 1
SLIEMA WANDERERS - 2
Naxxar L: J. Azzopardi, B. Rajovic, A. Scicluna, M. Gnenebre (D. Bonnici), D. Falzon, J. Debono, I. Grech, D. Fenech (O. Sidoine), A. Buhagiar, E. Lattes, A. Tarlazis
Sliema W: E. Elezaj (G. Zammit), A. Muscat, B. Essel, M. Scerri, P. Calcado (C. Perdomo), R. Ledesma (P. Xuereb), A. Friggieri, J. Bezzina, G. Muir, S. Bianciardi, L. Dimech
Referee: P. Farrugia
Asst.refs: J. Spiteri, D. Castillo
4th official: C. Pisani
Scorers: A. Friggieri 7, R. Ledesma 33, D. Falzon 36
Yellow cards: M. Gnenebre, O. Sidoine, P. Calcado, A. Scicluna, A. Muscat
Player of the match: P. Calcado (Sliema W)
TMI top 3: 1. P. Calcado 2. A. Friggieri 3. A. Scicluna
Attendance: 427
SILVIO VELLA
Sliema Wanderers are not among the Premier League’s top scorers, but yesterday they scored two first half goals which proved just enough to arrest their recent slump, after taking only four points in as many matches, and return to winning ways.
Judging from their good first half performance, high on confidence, with some intricate passing, the Wanderers perhaps deserved more than a one-goal cushion at halftime. But their form dropped awefully after the interval and their win remained in the balance until the very end, especially because Naxxar Lions gave a better account of themselves in the second 45 minutes and looked far from dead and buried after going two goals down.
With Pedro Calcado and Johann Bezzina back in their midfield, Sliema had the better in the opening 30 minutes.
The Wanderers were rampant and before they forged ahead on seven minutes, Calcado had already missed two glaring opportunities. He first rattled the underside of the bar with his shot from outside the area and then he incredibly lofted the ball in front of a gaping goal, after Muscat had lobbed it over the onrushing keeper Azzopardi.
The opening goal did not take long to come though. On a Calcado free kick. Aiden Friggieri beat the Naxxar offside trap to hit past the helpless Naxxar keeper from close range.
Naxxar, who had David Fenech and Angus Buhagiar back from injury and suspension, were unable to perform on the same levels as against Mosta, although they gradually tried to settle into the match.
Sliema though went close again midway through the half. Muir played a through ball inside the Naxxar area for Calcado to shoot on the turn. Keeper Azzopardi was equla to task to turn into a corner.
Past the half hour, Sliema doubled their lead. They won a free kick at some distance from the edge of the area towards the right and Rafael Ledesma beat the goalkeeper with a low drive.
Sliema were looking already home and dry as Naxxar were staring down the barrel. But within three minutes the Lions were handed a lifeline. Darren Falzon chased a long ball inside the Sliema half. Keeper Elezaj took long to come off his line and when he eventually did, the Naxxar forward calmly stroked the ball beyond his reach.
Sliema could have restored their two-goal lead before the break but, on Calcado’s cross, keeper Azzopardi denied Friggieri twice in succession.
Naxxar put in Oussou Sidoine for the second half to try to expose the slow Sliema rearguard. His running gave them some headaches. On 53 minutes, Debono’s shot was held out by keeper Elezaj, but when Tarlazis connected to the loose ball, the flag went up for offside.
On 67 minutes, Lattes hit narrowly wide after good movement by Sidoine. But on the hour Naxxar had been lucky, when saved by the woodwork, as Calcado’s thumping free kick rebounded off the bar from 30 metres out.
Sliema fluffed more opportunities to seal the win. Ten minutes from time, Friggieri missed the target with a free header on a Muir inviting cross.
As Sliema held out to Naxxar’s late efforts, coach Stephen Azzopardi was able to breathe easy at the end.
Tarxien R. 1
St Andrews 0
Tarxien R.: S. Mintoff, E. Baker, B. Giglio de Oliveira, T. Caruana, B. Muscat, A. Azzopardi (T. Tabone Desira), L. Omerou, C.Hevia Menendez, L. Montebello (D. Meira Santos), A. Da Paixao Alves, JP Oliveira Santos.
St Andrews: K. Calleja, C.Cumbo, J. Williams, M. Sehityaj, M. Johnson, D. Camilleri, L. Grech (M. Grima), M. Guillaumier, J. Farrugia, K. Nwoko, C. DeNguidjol (M. Desira Buttigieg)
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann
Asst refs: S. Attard, M. Borg
Additional asst. Refs: M. Apap, G. Tonna
4th official: C. Francalanza
Scorers: A. Azzopardi,
Yellow cards: B. Giglio de Oliveira, M. Sehitaj,
Player of the match: K.Calleja
TMI Top 3: 1. L. Omerou, 2. K. Calleja, 3. A. Da Paixao Alves
Henry Brincat
An Ayrton Azzopardi strike after 64 minutes was enough for Tarxien Rainbows to beat bottom placed St Andrews in yesterday’s first match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
The victory enabled the Rainbows to move on to the 15-point mark, while St Andrews remained firmly anchored to the bottom of the standings with no points.
Tarxien were certainly the better outfit on the field of play. They attacked much more than their opponents, showed the better ideas and created some good chances before eventually settling the issue midway through the second half.
In the first half, Tarxien were the more adventurous team. They enjoyed the lion’s share of the exchanges, especially in the opening stages, but St Andrews defended stubbornly and managed to hold on comfortably.
The Rainbows, with Lucky Omerou dangerous with his runs down the right flank, should have finished the opening 45 minutes on top, but they missed the few chances which came their way.
The Saints had to play second fiddle to the Rainbows for most of the time as they were forced to defend for long stretches, but they also had their own good moments though rarely creating a good scoring chance.
It is only fair to say that it was goalie Kris Calleja who kept the Rainbows at bay with some fine saves and interceptions.
On the resumption, Tarxien appeared to be more determined and again took the game to their opponents. However, they still failed to get through the Saints defence until the 64th minute when Tarxien finally found the net.
It was only after suffering that goal that St Andrews pushed forward in attack in search of an equaliser which would have given them a first point this season after nine matches. But it was not to be as the Rainbows covered well at the back and never passed through any anxious moments.
Tarxien threatened seriously in the third minute. Omerou sped past two defenders on the right flank. His low cross caused havoc in the Saints’ area, but goalie Calleja managed to block in time on Oliveira Santos.
Five minutes later Oliveira Santos set Montebello in the Saints area, but the latter’s shot was weak and central and was easily dealt with by goalie Calleja.
Tarxien insisted on attack and on the 18th minute, after a fine Omerou run on the right flank, it was Ayrton Azzopardi who drove over the bar.
In the 23rd minute, Da Paixao Alves set Montebello in the area, but the latter’s low shot was well saved by goalie Calleja.
In a rare attack, the Saints were awarded a freekick. Joseph Farrugia lifted the ball in the area, but De Nguidjol headed well over the bar.
Soon after, from a Farrugia corner, De Nguidjol saw his header going just wide. And on the 41st minute, at the other end, it was again Montebello who missed a good chance to open the scoring, hitting high from an ideal position.
Just before the interval whistle, Tarxien went very close to taking the lead when Montebello had a close range effort saved by Kris Calleja.
At the start of the second half, Tarxien seemed to have taken full control of midfield but they could not find a way past the well organised Saints defence.
But they were rewarded for their efforts on the 64th minute when Ayrton Azzopardi finally managed to beat Calleja direct from a freekick – a splendid angled shot.
St Andrews replied through another freekick, taken by Jordan Williams. But the ball ended in an abortive corner.
In added time, Tarxien almost scored a second as Omerou saw his effort hitting the post with Calleja beaten after having received a good pass from Meira Santos.
Valletta 2
Qormi 1
Valletta: H. Bonello, I. Azzopardi, R. Camilleri, J. Gill Cruz, A. Bruce, N. Priso (J.Suda), FM Falcone, L. Cremona (JP Mifsud Triganza), C. Pani, A. Nafti (J. Borg), R. Pericles Romao.
Qormi: JM Vella, A. Cassar, O. Sidibe, NO Ojuola, BV Bertnsson, S. Agius (E. Vella), C. Gauci, K. Magro (SV Oproiescu), CG Monti, T. Vella (R. Micallef), G. Nilsson.
Referee: F. Zammit
Asst refs: A. Camilleri, P. Abela
4th official: A. Mario Sant
Scorers: F. Falcone, T. Vella, A. Nafti
Yellow cards: L. Cremona, BV Berntsson, S. Agius, K. Magro, J. Gill Cruz,
Red cards:
Player of the match: JM Vella
TMI Top 3: 1. A. Nafti, 2. C. Monti, 3. F. Falcone
Attendance: 871
Henry Brincat
Valletta went temporarily on top of the Premier League standings last night as they escaped a scare from a very unlucky Qormi side which threatened seriously to take away all the three points.
In a highly entertaining match, Qormi missed two glaring chances when the score was still 1-1 and paid dearly for their lapses as Valletta were awarded a freekick from which they scored what proved to be the winner.
It was the third time in succession that Qormi suffered defeat against a top team in the final moments having also lost to Balzan and Hibernians earlier.
Valletta now have 21 points, one ahead of Balzan who will be in action today against Floriana.
Valletta had Roderick Briffa missing while for Qormi, coach Johann Scicluna was making his official debut.
In the first half, the citizens dominated for most of the time but the resilient Qormi made it very difficult. In fact, the side now under the charge of Scicluna, put up a strong barrier and, despite their attempts, and apart from a great goal by Falcone, Valletta found it hard to penetrate, although they also missed a number of chances which came their way.
As already said, Qormi defended stubbornly throughout the opening 45 minutes. Yesterday they seemed to be more determined this time to avoid another similar unlucky result. But once again, their jinx hit them badly as they suffered a late goal to go home empty handed.
But they could have also won the match had they taken the good chances which came their way in the second half. It was here that Qormi produced their best as they defended in an organised manner and counterattacked frequently giving Valletta some very anxious moments.
Valletta took the lead on the 11th minute with one of the most beautiful goals I have ever seen. It was Federico Falcone who received a cross from Romao and beat Qormi goalie Vella with a splendid overhead kick from the edge of the area.
Six minutes later, from a Bruce cross, it was Falcone who tested Vella seriously, but the goalie managed to block on the line.
In the 19th minute, it was Bruce who missed the post with an overhead kick from five metres and that was followed by a Claudio Pani hard shot punched away by Vella.
Qormi rallied back and equalised on the 24th minute. Monti entered the area and set Terence Vella who beat goalie Bonello with a good effort from outside the area.
Valletta almost took the lead once again on the 29th minute. It was Bruce who tried his luck from outside the area, but the ball passed a whisker away from the right upright.
Three minutes later, Cremona brought the best out of Vella who turned to corner in style a good rising shot.
And in the 45th minute, it was goalie Vella who denied Bruce, turning to corner his low effort.
On the changeover, in the 52nd minute, a cross from Priso was punched out by Vella. The ball went to Cremona whose shot went over.
Six minutes later, it was Romao who had a 30-metre shot going over the crossbar.
In the 60th minute, a Monti lob from the angle finished over, while at the other end, soon after, it was Nafti who hit the side rigging. Moments later, Nafti had another effort being punched away by Vella.
Qormi went very close to scoring again on the 64th minute. In a swift counter-attack, Monti advanced unhindered on the left flank and his cross went to Nilsson whose close range effort was blocked in extremis by Bonello.
In the 77th minute, Valletta also missed a sitter. It was Nafti who set Priso in the Qormi area. The latter went round his direct opponent, but his final effort was turned to corner by Vella.
At the other end, Ojuola also missed a glaring opportunity for Qormi, hitting over the bar from only five metres.
But it was Valletta who eventually scored in the 82nd minute. The citizens were awarded a freekick outside the area and Nafti hit home a fine shot via the upright and the goalkeeper’s back.
For Qormi it was hard to swallow, but I am sure they will be looking forward with optimism despite the recent unlucky defeats.