Zejtun C-Santa Lucia     2-2

Zejtun and Santa Lucia kicked-off the Premier League season, sharing four goals in an entertaining match that augurs well to this season. This was a historic match for Zejtun who their first ever match in the top flight of Maltese football. It was somewhat historic for the Premier League itself, the first and presumably only edition with sixteen teams.

The result can be considered a fair one with both teams having their good moments. With some more determination in front of goal Zejtun could have even grabbed the points at stake, but all in all Santa Lucia did not deserve to leave the field of play empty handed.

Zejtun were the better team in the first team in the first half an hour, but suffered a goal against the run of play. From then onwards the match was balanced, with Zejtun turning the tide in their favour, but with Santa Lucia quickly making it 2-2, with Kevin Ante Rosero once again distinguishing himself as one of the best talents.

Zejtun created the first danger with Kemar Reid exchanging the ball with Robeiro Do Nascimento, but Vella blocked the danger. Earlier the same Reid miskicked the ball from an ideal position.

Zejtun continued to dictate with a Gomes Junior first timer going well off target. On 18 minutes another good move from Zejtun with Do Nascimento testing Vella who saved well.

On the half hour Santa Lucia’s first danger when Correa headed over the bar when well placed following a Motta freekick. Three minutes later Santa Lucia broke the deadlock almost against the run of play when Duarte Da Silva’s long ball caught the Zejtun defence napping and Kevin Ante Rosero scored with a low drive.

Zejtun tried to hit back immediately but Suda hesitated in front of goal. On the other end Santa Lucia were dangerous again with a Tachikawa drive. Just before the break another good opportunity for Zejtun with Jurgen Suda surging on the left flank but his shot just missed the crossbar.

The second half was more balanced with Santa Lucia now sharing the exchanges. Ante Rosero had a good effort just sailing over the bar on the hour, and five minutes later Jurgen Suda missed a golden opportunity following a good cross from the right by Dylan Agius.

On 67 minutes Zejtun drew level. A good through ball from Gomes Junior found Kemar Reid unmarked on the right flank and the ex-St.Andrews player scored with a low drive from an acute angle.

On 75 minutes Zejtun took the lead when Suda passed towards Fernandinho Gomes Junior who kept his cool to slot home for a well taken goal. But Zejtun’s joy was shortlived as sixty seconds later Santa Lucia were back on level terms when Ante Rosero first timed beautifully home a good cross from the left by Tachikawa.

Near the end Suda almost got the winner but Andreas Vella came to his side’s rescue with a great save.

 

Zejtun C:  C. Cassar, D. Albanese, L. Gama, K. Reid, J. Suda, R. Do Nascimento, M. Pereira, G. Bugeja (E. Herrera 80’), J. Gomes Junior (C. Grech 90’), G. Azzopardi, A. De Barros (D. Agius 58’).

Santa Lucia: A. Vella, A. Prates Rodrigues, I. Duarte Da Silva, K. Correa, L. Motta Dos Santos (J. Delmar 75’), K. Ante Rosero, V. Prestes Filho, M. Camilleri (L. Mckay 78’), J. Zerafa, A. Vella (K. Xuereb 65’), R. Tachikawa.

Referee: Alex Johnson

Scorers: K. Ante Rosero 34’, 76’, K. Reid 67’, J. Gomes Junior 75’,

Yellow cards: J. Gomes Junior, D. Albanese, A. Vella, M. Pereira, J. Zerafa,

Player of the match: Kevin Ante Rosero (Santa Lucia)

Photo Domenic Aquilina

***

In the second match, Mosta and Gudja shared the spoils in another entertaining 2-2 draw.

Tulimieri put Mosta in the lead after 20 minutes, but two goals from Messias turned the tables in Gudja's favour before Morisco settled the match on a 2-2 score.