SLIEMA WANDERERS 1
NAXXAR LIONS 1
Sliema W: G. Zammit, J. De Assis, M. Muchardi, R. Correa, S. Biancardi, F. Temile, M. Sansone (P. Xuereb), J. Pearson, J. Mintoff, G. Adamovic, F. Qeros (R. Spiteri)
Naxxar L: C. Nicht, R. Caetano, M. Souza Duarte, J. Moser, M. Micallef, D. Falzon,. D. Bonnici (J. Ellul), R. Cassar, A. Buhagiar, R. Da Costa (M. Fenech), Y. Messias
Referee: S. Spiteri
Asst.refs: C. Francalanza, R. Aquilina
4th official: S. Pace
Scorers: M. Scerri 10, Y. Messias 67
Yellow cards: M. Scerri, F. Temile, S. Bianchardi, A. Buhagiar, M. Micallef, R. Correa, G. Adamovic
Player of the match: Y. Messias (Naxxar L)
TMI top 3: 1. Y. Messias 2. R. Correa 3. J. Moser
Attendance: 392
Despite taking an early lead through captain Mark Scerri, lack of cutting edge failed to see them score more goals and they were denied by a moment of individual brilliance from Yuri Messias for Naxxar’s leveller in the second half.
The Wanderers were depleted in attack with the absences of both De Assis and Milinceanu. Frank Temile was their most advanced man yesterday, with Frenci Qeros creating openings in an advanced midfield role behind him.
Naxxar could only show one win, in the derby against Mosta, from their last six matches but drew some comfort with their goalless draw against Balzan before the break.
This point, which lifts them above St Andrews, was just reward for their organisation and industry.
The Lions had a changed look about them, going into the new year. Yesterday’s starting line-up inlcuded four new Brazilians, central defenders Rafael Caetano and Rafael Souza Duarte, as well as forwards Jean Moser and Rodrigo Da Costa.
Sliema made the breakthrough after only ten minutes play. The Naxxar keeper Nicht only parried Correa’s shot from a distance and Mark Scerri was quick to hit in the loose ball.
Other than that, there wer few moments of quality in the first half, with Sansone going close with his header midway through the half.
With Sliema holding on to possession without much fuss, there was no sign of menace from their opponents until the 33rd minute when Moser pounced on a Micallef cross inside the Sliema area but his effort rebounded off the foot of the post, before being cleared to safety.
Sliema became sloppy as halftime approached. But a Da Costa direct free kick ended straight in Zammit’s safe hands. The Wanderers were still in the lead at the break, not necessarily by their own brilliance but more due to Naxxar’s inadequancies.
And when the Wanderers failed to push forward for a second goal in the second half, the Lions were allowed to claw themselves back in the game with an equaliser on 67 minutes.
That came courtesy of a Yuri Messias individual strike as he surprised Sliema keeper Zammit with a blistering shot from a distance.
As they grew in confidence, Souza Duarte tested the Sliema custodian with another shot, following a corner.
Sliema introduced Peter Xuereb and Ryan Spiteri but failed to trouble Naxxar’s organised backline.
The final minutes were frantically sloppy, with enough desperation to win from both sides but not enough quality to carry through on such intent.
Moser caused moments of anxiety. Four minutes from the end, his glancing header flashed across the face of the Sliema goal but was deflected into a corner. And in added time his low drive only missed the target by a whisker.
Consistent Balzan stay firmly in command
BALZAN FC 3
ST ANDREWS 1
Balzan FC: S. Mintoff, S. Bezzina, A. Alves, E. Serrano, U. Ljubomirac, R. Fenech (A. Effiong), B. Kaljevic, P. Fenech, M. Lepovic (J. Zerafa), B. De Oliveira, J. Grioli (J. Borg)
St Andrews: M. Calleja Cremona, L. Grech, A. Borg, M. Miranda Gomez, J. Walker (R. Martin), M. Grima, J. Farrugia, M. Gauci, K. Atkinson (A. Satariano),T. Grant, K. Reid
Referee: T. Farrugia Cann
Asst.refs: D. Sultana, D. Petrovic
4th official: E. Grech
Scorers: B. Kaljevic 45+pen, 77, A. Effiong 49, M. Miranda Gomez 90+
Yellow cards: M. Gauci, T. Grant
Player of the match: A. Alves (Balzan)
TMI top 3: 1. A. Alves 2. B. Kaljevic 3. K. Reid
Balzan needed a late first half penalty to break down stubborn St Andrews’ resistance, but adding two more goals in the second half, they eased to victory to retain their primacy in the BoV Premeir League.
From toiling in the first part, Balzan ended the contest comfortably in the ascendancy.
There could have been more for the leaders, with Alex Alves showing up particularly well.
In contrast, St Andrews were good in the first half, even contriving to miss an early penalty, and were unlucky to end the half in arrears through another penalty. But once Balzan improved and doubled their lead early upon the start, the Saints never regained their threat and spark.
Despite there were some positives to cling at the end, with this third defeat in the last four matches, the threat of relegation is severe for St Andrews. And it does not get any easier with games against Hamrun Spartans, Floriana and Gzira United coming up next.
Their coach Michael Woods was forced to make changes, following his side’s victory against Hibernians before the year end.
Defender Emy Beltre’ has since joined Valletta, while both Degran Jackson and Tano Azian were suspended.
Their replacements yesterday were Liam Grech, Kevaughn Atkinson and Jacob Walker.
For most of the first half, St Andrews presented Balzan with two solid lines of defence, usually compact in their own half, with the lively Reid offering a notional outlet up front.
Reid handed his side the opportunity to open the scoring after 11 minutes, winning a penalty when felled by De Oliveira inside the Balzan area.
Captain Farrugia, though, had his feeble try from the spot well saved by Balzan keeper Sean Mintoff, deputising for the regular Janjusevic.
The Saints kept trying and had shots from Reid and Walker saved by the goalkeeper.
For most of the opening half, there was always a question of whether Balzan’s midfield, lacking Carlos Mendes, would be creative or forceful enough to break through the barriers, with Ryan Fenech lumbering around in search of a pass or a useful opening.
With Alfred Efiong, starting on the bench, their forward options of Bojan Kaljevic and Alex Alves, were reduced or lacking sharpness.
Deep into added time, Grant fouled Alves inside the area and keeper Calleja Cremona was powerless to prevent Bojan Kaljevic converting his 12th goal of the season from the resultant penalty.
St Andrews did not deserve to fall behind at halftime.
Balzan in fact had only created one chance of note before their goal, when, on 36 minutes, Ljubomirac’s cross from the right fell to Alves, whose goalbound effort was blocked on the line by Grech.
But Balzan doubled their lead within a couple of minutes of the restart, thanks to substitute Alfred Effiong, who had gone in for Ryan Fenech at halftime. Kaljevic headed Alves’ cross from the right against the innerside of the upright but Effiong was quick to finish off on the rebound.
Suddenly St Andrews were back pedalling and injury to Atkinson complicated matters further.
Keeper Calleja Cremona was called to hold out Alves’ shot. On the other end, a Farrugia meaty free kick brought a smart save from Balzan keeper Mintoff.
The match had an attractive flow as Kaljevic reached for Ljubomirac’s cross before the Saints’ keeper, but failed to put his effort on target.
Another Bojan Kaljevic goal, on 77 minutes, heading in Alves’s cross from the right, embellished the margin of victory to leave Balzan unbeaten in their last 13 league matches, since they last lost to same opponents way back in August.
There was some consolation for St Andrews deep into three minutes of added time as Misael Miranda Gomez scored with a stunning shot at the top corner that left keeper Mintoff rooted to his line.
Senglea Ath. 0
Valletta 1
Senglea Ath.: M. Farrugia, S. Bonnici, J. Bondin, S. Uyi, J. Leyton, M. Garzia, I. Paz, GN Virano (H. Vella), T. Vella, A. Caseres, P. Sammut (N. Palmieri).
Valletta: H. Bonello, R. Camilleri, JG Cruz, S. Malano, M. Mifsud (N. Pulis), J. Borg, U. Uchenna Calistus (K. Nwoko), J. Zerafa, A. Prosa, D. Rocha dos Santos (E. Pena Beltre), R. Romau.
Referee: F. Zammit.
Asst refs: L. Portelli, S. Attard.
4th official: A. M. Sant.
Scorers: D. Rocha dos Santos pen.
Yellow cards: J. Bondin, J. Zerafa, I. Paz, A. Caseres,
Player of the match: D. Rocha dos Santos.
TMI Top 3: 1. S. Malano; 2. J. Zerafa, 3. M. Farrugia.
Attendance: 775
Valletta maintained the pace at the top remaining just one point behind leaders Balzan, winning the three points despite a strong challenge from Senglea yesterday.
A 56th minute penalty strike by Denni Rocha dos Santos proved to be enough to overcome a stubborn Senglea side.
Overall, it was a deserved victory for Valletta for whom former striker Danilo Doncic was making his debut as coach.
On their part, Senglea drop one place to 10th, remaining on 15 points, three behind Mosta.
At the end of the first 45 minutes, it was evident that Valletta were frustrated as they were not able to pierce a well organised Senglea side which never looked inferior to their more experienced opponents.
The Yellow Reds, in fact, only limited the citizens to a few shots from the distance and these were ably handled by goalie Farrugia.
On their part, Senglea also had some well orchestrated attacks which, however, provided only one anxious moment to the City defence. They played the ball well along the field, but they lacked the finishing touch.
In the second half, Valletta again held the edge in midfield, but could only score from a penalty even if they deserved the lead which eventually meant victory.
Despite their dominance, Valletta found it difficult to go past a well drilled defence, so much so that Senglea goalie Farrugia was never seriously tested apart from suffering the goal from the penalty spot.
The match had a balanced start, but Valletta had more of the possession. On 14 minutes, Senglea goalie Farrugia did well to save a Dos Santos freekick before Romau could connect.
On the 20th minute, as Valletta insisted in attack, it was Zerafa and Mifsud who tested Farrugia, but the goalie dealt with the shots confidently.
In the 26th minute, Valletta went closest to opening the score. From an Uchenna Calistus cross, Albert Prosa saw his close range flick go straight into Farrugia’s waiting hands.
In the 29th minute, Senglea protested in vain for a penalty when Sammut ended on the ground after a tackle by Zerafa in the area, but the official, close to the incident, waved play on.
In the 34th minute, the Senglea goalie had to rush out of his area to clear a dangerous ball as Mifsud was advancing towards the goal.
Two minutes later, Farrugia was again a protagonist as he dived sideways to stop a Denni dos Santos effort.
In the 40th minute, from a dos Santos cornerkick, it was Malano who headed just wide.
Two minutes later, at the other end, Bonello also had to dive sideways to save an Ivan Paz freekick.
Senglea had their best chance on 56 minutes, when Caseres advanced into the City area, but his shot went wide.
At the other end, soon after, Valletta were awarded a penalty when a Calistus cross appeared to have been handled by a Senglea defender. From the spotkick, Denni Rocha dos Santos made no mistake.
After the goal, Valletta did not risk much even if Senglea pressed hard to try and get an equaliser near the end.
Lija Ath. 1
Mosta 5
Lija Ath.: L. Bonnici, P. Babic, P. Borg (LJ Schembri), A. Sammut, L. Muscat, M. Clinch (N. Spiteri), R. Kooh Sohna, A. Galea, K. Hirose, E. Beu, O. Sidibe
Mosta: A. Vella, L. Ferreira, A. Dos Santos, E. Zarate Bilbao, K. Magro, D. Mansi, T. Farrugia, J. Ekani, N. Efanyi (J. Tanti), I. Maric, D. Xuereb
Referee: E. Mangion
Asst refs: P. Apap, T. Zammit
4th official: P. Farrugia
Scorers: A. Dos Santos 3 (two penalties), R. Kooh Sohna, L. Ferreira 2
Yellow cards: N. Efanyi
Red cards: O. Sidibe
Player of the match: L. dos Santos
TMI Top 3: 1. L. dos Santos, 2. L. Ferreira; 3. E. Beu
Alex Wendel dos Santos scored a hat-trick, including two penalties, to give Mosta a runaway 5-1 victory against luckless Lija Athletic.
Leonardo Ferreira scored the other two goals, while Kooh Sohna had temporarily equalised for Lija near the end of the first half.
Following this win, Mosta have consolidated their mid-table position and now have 18 points while Lija remain anchored to the bottom with just 5 points from 14 matches.
In the first half, both sides had their good moments with Dos Santos, on one side, and Kooh Sohna, on the other, figuring prominently in most of their club’s actions.
Mosta had more possession, but after 45 minutes, the 1-1 drawn result was perhaps a fair indication of what was witnessed.
In the second half, it was more or less balanced until Mosta regained the lead. After that came a strange incident (described later on) which led to a penalty for the Blues. It seemed to be enough for Mosta, but it was not yet over as the Blues scored another two goals – one of them another penalty – to make it a more pronounced victory.
Lija protested hotly about Mosta’s first penalty, but although it is true that some of their players stopped because of the assistant’s flagging, they should have continued playing until hearing the official’s whistle.
Lija opened on attack and on the third minute, Kooh Sohna tested goalie Vella who, however, saved well. Mosta replied soon after through a Farrugia header which went over.
Lija went close on 14 minutes when following a Galea cornerkick, it was Patrick Borg who hit just wide after the ball had been cleared in his path. Moments later, Beu set Kooh Sohna beautifully only to see his shot going just wide.
In the 25th minute, Mosta missed a glorious opportunity to take the lead when dos Santos had his low shot being desperately cleared off the line by Lija defender Borg.
On 33 minutes, a long distance effort from Dexter Xuereb, almost surprised Lija goalie Bonnici, but he managed to foot the ball to a corner.
Mosta opened the scoring on 37 minutes. They were awarded a freekick from outside the area from which Dos Santos beat Bonnici with a fine effort.
Lija reacted and equalised in the 43rd minute. From a Babic corner, it was Kooh Sohna who drilled the ball home from close in, giving goalie Vella no chance.
Early in the second half, Mosta again missed a good chance when Dos Santos advanced unhindered into the Lija area, but saw his effort going wide.
On the hour, from a long Beu pass, Sohna beat his direct opponent, but his shot was deviated to a corner.
Mosta took the lead again in the 64th minute when from a Tanti cross, it was Ferreira who beat goalie Bonnici with a neat header from the angle.
Lija replied with a Babic 20 metre effort, but the ball went wide.
A strange incident happened in the 75th minute. From a long distance pass, a Mosta player was flagged offside by the assistant on the far side. Some Lija players stopped waiting for the official’s whistle which never arrived. Simply because the assistant stopped his flagging as the Mosta player in an offside position allowed his ‘onside’ teammate dos Santos to move forward with the ball and was later floored in the area by Sidibe. The latter was shown a red card while Dos Santos coolly planted the ball home from the spotkick.
Four minutes later, Babic floored Tanti in the area, and the official had no hesitation to award a second penalty to Mosta which was also converted by Dos Santos.
In the 81st minute, it became 5-1 as L. Ferreira easily placed the ball into the net after a counterattack.
Before the end, Lija had two chances to reduce the arrears. First it was goalie Vella who thwarted Tanti, blocking to corner. Later it was Kooh Sohna who lifted the ball out with the Mosta custodian out of place.