St Patrick stay in the hunt

St Patrick 3
San Gwann 0

St Patrick climbed to third place in the standings after easily beating wooden-spoonists San Gwann thanks to a Kenneth Abela brace, one in each half, and a goal by substitute Albert Caruana.

In driving rain, the team from Zabbar played the better football although at times they struggled to turn their supremacy into goals.

Not for the first time this season they had goal-getter Abela to thank for this win. Not only did he score the goals that won his side the points but Abela was a constant threat to San Gwann whenever he took hold of the ball.

Following this defeat San Gwann need to start picking up some points fast if they want to stay in Division One. Although there is still a long way to go, things are looking gloomy for Danilo Doncic's side. They were also beaten 3-0 by Hamrun Spartans on Thursday.

After 12 minutes, San Gwann constructed a good move when Stefan Cutajar delivered an inviting cross from the right and Kurt Micallef let loose a first-time effort from just outside the area. David Cassar, however, was well covered to save.

Two minutes later St Patrick took the lead when from a Gordon Failla inch-perfect pass, Abela found himself unmarked in the opponents' box before hitting home from close in.

In the 27th minute St Patrick came close again when Abela dribbled two players on the left, served Simon Zerafa who, from 15 metres out, drove the ball over the bar.

On 62 minutes, Abela did well before releasing Kurt Coleiro who sped past goalkeeper Justin Spiteri but his shot was cleared off the line by Antonio Saliba.

Borislav Giorev's side was still the most dangerous at this stage. Coleiro pounced on a bad clearance by the San Gwann rearguard but shot off target.

St Patrick all but sealed the issue 14 minutes from time when Abela got on the end of a long ball to race through on goal before slotting home.

Seven minutes from time San Gwann failed to clear, the ball came into Caruana's path who accepted the 'early Christmas gift' and made it 3-0 with a powerful shot.

St Patrick: D. Cassar, R. Cassar, E. Saliba, M. Fleri Soler, S. Zerafa, S. Magro (M. Scerri), M. Pullicino (K. Pullicino), G. Failla, K. Abela, C. Micallef, K. Coleiro (A. Caruana).

San Gwann: J. Spiteri, A. Gatt, S. Zammit Fava, S. Cutajar, M. Francica (C. Giordmaina), A. Saliba, K. Sciberras, L. Vella Critien, C. Gatt, K. Micallef, A. Borg (R. Brincat).

Referee: Ian Miller.

Man of the match: Kenneth Abela (St Patrick).

Hamrun Spartans 1
Qormi 1

The second match was played on a soggy pitch after a heavy downpour earlier in the morning.

The surface at the Tedesco Stadium did not look ideal for a game of competitive football but referee Joe Attard decided otherwise.

A draw was, perhaps, a just result although leaders Qormi looked more agile and sharper as a team despite the unfavourable conditions. The Spartans had Rupert Mangion in superb form. He was his side's leader. When in difficulty, the 'hosts' relied on Mangion's acumen to steer them out of trouble.

At times, the contest descended into a dour battle due to some rough tackles from both sides. Obviously, the slippery pitch did not help matters. Indeed, some parts of it were literally flooded with water.

The first 45 minutes were played in constant rain. Qormi looked the better side, with Jan Talcevski and Joseph Farrugia dictating matters in midfield.

Martin Gregory's side were unlucky early on when a Farrugia free-kick beat Michael Falzon in the Hamrun goal, but the ball bounced off the woodwork. On 20 minutes a Talcevski shot finished inches wide after a fine solo move.

Hamrun, who had Evano Briffa suspended, responded in the 37th minute when Mead Mifsud was brought down outside the box and from the resulting free-kick Mangion hit home past the stranded Qormi keeper.

On 40 minutes, a Farrugia free-kick was stopped by Falzon but it was Hamrun who could have added a second just before the break when a Stefan Sultana free-kick was saved by Matthew Farrugia.

On resumption Qormi brought on Carmel Formosa and Glenn Buhagiar in attack but the Hamrun rearguard did not yield an inch . In fact, it was the Spartans who were dangerous again when Marlon Vella dribbled through only to be denied by Andre Formosa on the goal-line.

Qormi equalised in the 73rd minute. Talcevski delivered a perfect ball for Formosa who beat Falzon with a header.

Hamrun could have regained the lead soon after from another Mangion free-kick but Farrugia saved well.

Late on Qormi, had to continue with 10 men when Thomas Paris was red-carded for dissent. Despite the numerical handicap Qormi almost scored a late winner but a Talcevski piledriver was stopped in time by Aaron Attard.

Hamrun: M. Falzon, B. Timotic, A. Attard, M. Vella (C. Cacciatolo), K. Borg, R. Fenech, S. Sultana, J. Debattista, R. Mangion, N. Galea (R. Pisani), M. Mifsud (G. Micallef).

Qormi: M. Farrugia, N. Zarb Cousin, J. Saliba, A. Formosa, J. Talcevski, K. Zammit (G. Buhagiar) E. Azzopardi, M. Borg Olivier, J. Chetcuti (C. Formosa), J. Farrugia, T. Paris.

Referee: Joe Attard.

Man of the match: Rupert Mangion (Hamrun Spartans).