SANTA LUCIA............. 0

SENGLEA A................. 0

Santa Lucia: R. Caruana, J. Walker, G. Mentz, F. Zuniga, D. Agius, D. Mendoza, M. Santana (N. Micallef 75'), J. Zerafa (N. Borg 83'), K. Rosero, R. Tachikawa (L. Galea 87'), D. Segura

Senglea: A. Curmi, M. Dias, S. Olberkis, D. Debono, M. Micallef, S. Cipriott (W. Zamble 72'), E. Sakyi, G. Virano (D. Xuereb 64'), J. Tanti (A. Spiteri 76'), T. Marukawa, J. Teixeira

Yellow Cards: S. Cipriott 17', E. Sakyi 42', G. Virano 44' (Se), G. Mentz 19', F. Zuniga 59', N. Micallef 86' (SL)

Red Cards: G. Mentz 85' (SL)

Referee: Matthew Degabriele

Assistant Referees: Jurgen Spiteri, Mark Ciantar

4th Official: Malcolm Spiteri

TMI Top 3: 1. T. Marukawa (Se), 2. A. Curmi (Se) 3. D. Segura (Sl)

BOV Player of the match: Taisei Marukawa (Senglea Athletic)

Both teams were relishing the opportunity to return to winning ways but in the end, Santa Lucia and Senglea Athletic finished the game with a well-earned draw. Santa Lucia suffered their first defeat of the league last week against Sirens while Senglea were coming from two consecutive defeats against Hibernians and Ħamrun Spartans.

Santa Lucia coach Oliver Spiteri made two changes in his starting formation. Youngster Daniel Agius and Maycon Santana started instead of Camilo Escobar and Jamie Magri Overend. The technical staff of Senglea led by Mario Muscat included Dejan Debono in defence and Sean Cipriott, Gonzalo Virano and Jan Tanti in midfield.

Senglea goalkeeper Anthony Curmi was the first goalkeeper tested as he brilliantly saved into a corner a free-kick by defender Gabriel Mentz. Santa Lucia were keeping their opponents distant from their post and Senglea were only dangerous in the middle of the first half with a shot by Mano Micallef that was saved by Ryan Caruana, a minute after he saved a shot by Jose Teixeira.

Ten minutes before the end of the first half, Santa Lucia threatened with a cross from the right side by Kevin Ante Rosero to Diego Segura but the latter's header finished off target. Three minutes later, Rosero tried with a personal action, but Curmi was again concentrated to tip into a corner.

Sean Cipriott had an effort early in the second half but his shot from outside the box finished off target. Senglea were containing their opponents and on the 71st minute, Taisei Marukawa received a good pass on the left and tested Caruana with a dangerous shot, but the Santa Lucia goalkeeper was ready to tip the shot into a corner.

Diego Segura could have snatched the win for Santa Lucia on the 82nd minute with a low shot but his effort was saved again by Curmi into a corner. Santa Lucia had to finish the game with ten men as defender Mentz was shown the second yellow card after a foul on Wilfried Zamble. This decision was too little too late for Senglea to take advantage as it was only in the last action of the game that Caruana had to save with difficulty a free-kick by Mano Micallef.