St Patrick hit four past Lions

Naxxar Lions 0
St Patrick 4

In September, St Patrick dismantled Naxxar Lions by four goals to nil with Kenneth Abela scoring a poker. The Saints repeated that scoreline in the second round league match yesterday, Abela and Karl Micallef notching a brace each for the winners.

As happened in the first round, St Patrick were miles ahead of their opponents. Having rejoined St Patrick during last month's transfer window, Brazilian Sandro Costa Brazilino gave his team a clear edge in midfield.

Naxxar yesterday paraded Andrew Bonello who had a spell with the Lions when these were in the Premier League a decade ago.

Bonello was powerless to stop the relegation-threatened Naxxar conceding their fifth defeat on the trot. For their part, St Patrick have revived their hopes of challenging for promotion to the Premier League.

After a dour start, the weaknesses of the Naxxar defence immediately showed up. With five minutes of the game played, Abela picked up a ball in the penalty box and, as two Lions defenders moved to tackle the St Patrick striker, Mark Pullicino and Micallef were left unmarked. Abela quickly crossed to Micallef who pushed the ball past James Mercieca.

The Saints went close to doubling their lead in the 20th minute when a Micallef first-time effort from around 25 metres forced Mercieca into a fine save.

On the half hour, Naxxar responded with a Peter Anizoba free-kick which was tipped away for a corner by David Cassar. Two minutes later, Costa Brazilino was thwarted by the Lions custodian.

On the resumption, Naxxar tried to get back into the match. A free-kick by Kevin Fenech tested St Patrick goalkeeper Cassar who pushed the ball onto the crossbar. From the rebound, Gilbert Camilleri missed a great chance to level matters for the Lions when heading straight into Cassar.

Naxxar paid dearly for this miss as a minute later, Mercieca misjudged a cross, the ball came into the path of Abela who turned well to fire home.

Fifteen minutes from the end, the Saints made it 3-0. The build-up involved several players as substitute Shaun Magro passed to Micallef who teased the Lions rearguard before serving Abela who squeezed the ball home from a tight angle.

Two minutes later, Borislav Giorev's team went 4-0 up. Abela's first-time shot appeared to be heading wide but Micallef followed it all the way to drive the ball home at the far post.

Naxxar: J. Mercieca, J. Brincat, M. Spiteri Gonzi, R. Schembri, K. Fenech, K. Grech, I. Zammit (T. Fenech), P. Anizoba, J. Zammit (F. Debono), G. Camilleri (G. Magri), A. Bonello.

St Patrick: D. Cassar (F. Azzopardi), R. Cassar, M. Zerafa, M. Fleri Soler (E. Saliba), S. Zerafa, K. Micallef, G. Failla, M. Pullicino, S. Costa Brazilino, K. Coleiro (S. Magro), K. Abela.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

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

Qormi 1
Senglea Athletics 1

Senglea and Qormi, two teams renowned for their attacking football, shared the spoils yesterday after their second round match finished 1-1.

Taking the lead five minutes from time, Qormi looked on course to victory but Senglea hit back to grab an injury-time equaliser.

With the point earned, Qormi have joined Tarxien in second place but the latter have a game in hand. Senglea's late goal kept alive their slim hopes of a promotion comeback bid.

Senglea had been the better side in the first half, producing the more creative football against a Qormi team who relied heavily on crosses aimed at their tall striker Johann Zammit.

After only two minutes, Qormi goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia was forced to make a difficult save to prevent Joseph Farrugia's overhit back-pass from finishing into the net.

In the 15th minute, a good one-two between Timmy Thomas and Darren Grech broke down due to the timely intervention of Farrugia.

Senglea continued to attack. An effort by Silvio Sciberras from outside the box sailed over the crossbar.

Dennis Fenech's team produced their best chance of the first half in the 38th minute when Chima Dozie chested the ball towards Thomas who hit a strong shot but Farrugia dived to his right to tip the ball away for a corner.

A minute later, Thomas headed wide from close range after a melee in the Qormi area. Senglea continued to create chances but they were being let down by poor finishing.

Matthew Borg passed to Dozie who hit wide as Qormi defender Antonio Saliba and goalkeeper Farrugia rushed forward to close the angle.

Early in the second half, Senglea were unlucky not to forge ahead when Borg's header from a corner was cleared off the line by Carmel Formosa.

Formosa had to leave the pitch later on in the second half after suffering what looked like a serious knee injury.

Despite this setback, Qormi, who had newcomer Anatole Debono making his debut as a substitute, stuck to their game and surprisingly opened the scoring with five minutes to go. Thomas Paris played the ball into the path of Zammit who beat George Attard with a low drive.

Senglea refused to lie down and pushed more players upfield in search of an equaliser. John Fsadni tried his luck from just inside the box in added time but Farrugia foiled the Senglea substitute.

Justice was done five minutes into injury time when Clint Caruana crossed into the Qormi area and Dozie, beating the offside trap, ran clear to slot the ball home.

Qormi: M. Farrugia, J. Saliba, A. Formosa, A. Saliba, J. Talcevski, K. Zammit (A. Debono), E. Azzopardi (J. Chetcuti), J. Farrugia, T. Paris, C. Formosa (M. Borg Olivier), J. Zammit.

Senglea: G. Attard, L. Attard (J. Fsadni), D. Cosaitis, D. Grech (J. Gatt), T. Thomas, S. Sciberras, C. Caruana, E. Azzopardi, C. Dozie, M. Borg, G. Bonello.

Referee: Edward Spiteri .

Man of the Match: Matthew Farrugia (Qormi).