St Andrews  2

Senglea         1

St Andrews: J. Galea, EM Pena Beltre, M. Johnson, BW Che, L. Grech, D. Camilleri, FC Onwudinjo (VL Oseghale), J. Farrugia, M. Desira Buttigieg (J. Walker), K. Nwoko, MS Wisdom.

Senglea: J. Farrugia, R. Vella, P. Doffo, M. Del Negro, K. Tanti, C. Cassar, M. Ciantar (JM Artiago Roa), J. Farrugia, J. Obaje Aud-Gustine (D. Sytnik), E. Lattes, R. Dalli.

Referee: M. Spiteri.

Asst refs: T. Debono, M. Borg.

Additional Asst. Refs: C. Pisani, E. Grech.

4^th official: P. Abela.

Scorers: R. Dalli pen, EM Pena Beltre, K. Nwoko

Yellow cards: P. Doffo, M. Johnson, L. Grech, C. Cassar, M. Ciantar, K. Nwoko

Kyrian Nwoko became a Saints hero yesterday as he scored an 86^th minute winner to assure his side of at least another season in the Premier League.

In yesterday’s decider against Senglea, it was the latter who took the lead through a penalty from Ryan Dalli. But the Saints equalised early in the second half through Pena Beltre and after Farrugia missed a penalty, it was the young Nwoko who struck the winner four minutes from the end of normal time.

Senglea paraded their best formation, but St Andrews had to forfeit the use of three of their foreigners as only four are allowed in such play offs. Assistant coach Brian Chetcuti opted to start with Pena Beltre, Johnson, Onwudinjo and Wisdom. The absence of the other three was evident in the first half as the Saints never produced the form which lifted them to the 10^th place in the second phase of the Premier League.

The match attracted a very good number of local football followers, mostly Senglea supporters – I think most of the male population of the city was at the Hibs Stadium yesterday to cheer their side.

The first half saw Senglea taking the lead after 19 minutes from a penalty.

Till then, play was equally balanced, but from then on, the Yellow Reds retreated in defence and operated on the counter-break, even if scoring chances were few and far between.

St Andrews did their best to get back on level terms before the interval, but Senglea were so well organised at the back, that the Saints strikers were never given a good opportunity to seriously test goalie Farrugia.

In the second half, St Andrews were a completely transformed side as they scored an early equaliser. From then on, they dominated and contrived to miss a penalty through Farrugia before eventually sealing their win with that 86^th winner from young Nwoko.

Senglea made a great effort, especially in the first half, but they had to bow their heads to a superior side in the second 45 minutes.

After only two minutes, Senglea threatened through Aud-Gustine who advanced on the right flank to cross low into the area where Ryan Dalli hit well over the bar from three metres.

Senglea were awarded a penalty in the 19^th minute when Michael Johnson floored Emiliano Lattes in the area. From the resultant spotkick, Ryan Dalli made no mistake sending Galea the wrong way to the delight of the numerous Senglea fans.

St Andrews tried to retaliate, but Senglea were in control at the back and goalie Farrugia was only called once into action, saving a grounder from Onwudinjo in the 40^th minute.

At the end of the first half, Senglea still enjoyed their slender one-goal lead.

Soon after the start of the second half, following a cross from Lattes, Cassar controlled well, but his shot was well saved by Galea.

At the other end, St Andrews levelled matters in the 53^rd minute when from a Farrugia cornerkick, a melee ensued in the Senglea area and Pena Beltre was on hand to head home the equaliser.

Soon after, from a Farrugia freekick, Che headed goalwards, but Farrugia saved easily.

St Andrews insisted and on 61 minutes, it was Farrugia himself who tried his luck from a freekick, but the ball sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Two minutes later, they almost took the lead when following an inviting cross by Pena Beltre, Johnson saw his header missing the target by the proverbial hair’s breadth.

And in the 65^th minute, they were also awarded a penalty following a handling infringement by Doffo in the area. But from the spotkick, Farrugia saw his shot hitting the upright.

In a rare counter-break, Senglea went close through a Miguel Ciantar effort which, however, went wide.

In the 80^th minute, Senglea missed a good chance to retake the lead. From a cross by substitute Artiago Roa, Ryan Dalli hit well over the bar from three metres out.

St Andrews were rewarded for their insistence in attack in the 86^th minute when they scored what proved to be the winner. It was substitute Oseghale who set Kyrian Nwoko in the Senglea area and the nippy striker hit past the onrushing Farrugia to send the Saints fans into raptures.

At the final whistle, the Saints’ miracle was complete. One cannot forget that they had failed to win a point in their opening 19 Premier League games, but their second phase performances enabled them to turn the tide in their favour, culminating in yesterday’s victory.