Lowly San Gwann score vital win

San Gwann 2
Tarxien Rainbows 1

San Gwann kept alive their hopes of retaining their Division One status after a surprising win over high-flying Tarxien Rainbows yesterday.

The victory lifted the Saints out of the bottom two places and are only one point behind Naxxar and one ahead of second-from-bottom Lija.

On the other hand, Tarxien's debacle yesterday has now given fresh hope to Marsa and Mqabba to claim one of the two promotion slots for the Premier League.

The tone for a thrilling encounter had been set as early as the first minute when Tarxien went on the offensive through George Cutajar, who crossed from the left wing, and Simon Shead headed the ball just over.

Two minutes later, Kevin Loughborough burst through but his shot was blocked by Anthony Curmi and then the Tarxien goalkeeper again kept out Kevin Sciberras's effort.

Tarxien slowly took control of the game but San Gwann's speed up front was always a threat. In fact a minute into the second half, Anizoba was first on a long clearance and the Nigerian fired the ball past Curmi. Sixty seconds later Stacy Vella almost made it 2-0 but his overhead kick was blocked by the Tarxien goalkeeper.

The Rainbows now pushed more men forward but they were caught napping two minutes later when Anizoba burst through the right before serving Luke Vella Critien who tapped the ball home.

Tarxien were now dead and buried but they still managed to score a consolation goal four minutes from time. Carlos Camenzuli was first on Alan Tabone's corner to nod the ball in.

The Rainbows had goalkeeper Curmi sent-off after a clash with Randolph Penza.

San Gwann: J. Spiteri; A. Saliba, S. Vella, K. Loughborough, S. Zammit Fava, C. Cuschieri (V. Camilleri), P. Anizoba, L. Vella Critien, A. Borg (A. Zammit Tabona), K. Sciberras, R. Penza (K. Micallef).

Tarxien: A. Curmi, F. Farrugia, G. Cutajar (C. Camenzuli), E. Saliba, J. Tonna, K. Zammit (O. Grech), M. Micallef, S. Shead, A.Tabone, K. Coleiro (M.Caruana), A. Da Silva;

Referee: Esther Farrugia.

Senglea Athletics 1
St Patrick 0

A last gasp goal by Kenneth Abela earned Senglea three valuable points that enabled them to close the gap with the top teams in Division One.

The result was somewhat harsh on St Patrick who produced the better play especially in the closing stages of the match and have seen their promotion aspirations receive a severe blow.

The first half turned out to be a drab affair with few goalscoring opportunities created by either side.

It was St Patrick who had the first real chance when on 11 minutes Gordon Failla's long range shot finished just over. Senglea responded a minute later, Glenn Bonello's shot hitting the side netting.

Then, St Patrick's Thomas Caruana saw his shot parried away by Sean Mintoff while at the other end Clint Caruana fired just wide.

The game improved in the second half and on 46 minutes, Leonid McKay found Bonello in the Senglea area but the latter was foiled by Mintoff.

As time went by St Patrick started to dominate proceedings. On 68 minutes, substitute Gilbert Scerri dazzled through the Senglea defence, but again Mintoff saved his side, when he bravely dived at the feet of the former Gzira United striker.

The Saints continued to show the better ideas. Sandro Costa Brazilino's volley was blocked by the Senglea defence and from the rebound Caruana headed just wide.

Five minutes from time, Senglea custodian George Attard denied St Patrick with a fine save on Scerri's close range header.

When the game looked destined to end in a draw, a minute from time Senglea netted the winner. Abela was first on Mark Marlow's free-kick and headed the ball home.

Senglea A: G. Attard; D. Gauci, D. Cosaitis, S. Aquilina, D. Grech (A. Gera), M. Marlow (J. Tabone), L. Micallef, C. Caruana, K. Abela (T. Farrugia), E. Bobolayefa, G. Bonello.

St.Patrick: S. Mintoff; R. Cassar, M. Fleri Soler, S. Costa Brazilino, M. Tanti, G. Failla (A. Buttigieg), T. Caruana, B. Fenech, C. Micallef, S. Zerafa (G.Scerri), L. Vella (L.Bartolo).

Referee: Marco Borg.