Naxxar go down after 3-0 defeat

Naxxar Lions 0
Qormi 3

The relegation issue in Division One is already settled. Yesterday, Naxxar Lions joined San Gwann in suffering demotion after they were trounced by Qormi who could have scored a hatful of goals but found keeper James Mercieca in fine form.

Qormi took only eight minutes to open the scoring with a move involving no fewer than six players. Michael Borg Olivier got things going and the in-form striker himself finished it off. He hit home after a perfect pass from Joseph Chetcuti.

Peter Anizoba tried to lift Naxxar. On 14 minutes he floated an inviting ball into the Qormi box but the unmarked Glenn Magri drove wide with only the keeper to beat.

Qormi should have scored another goal midway through the half but Johann Zammit shot wide after Borg Olivier had done all the spadework. Then, Anizoba did everything right when he rounded his direct marker before releasing Magri again. However, the latter dallied in his conclusion and the chance was lost.

Martin Gregory's side made it 2-0 a minute into the second half when a Kurt Zammit cross was headed down by Borg Olivier into the path of Zammit who squeezed the ball in despite the desperate attempt of Ramon Schembri to clear from over the line.

On 63 minutes, Justin Zammit brought down Thomas Paris in the box and a penalty was given. Paris himself took the spot-kick which was saved by Mercieca.

Qormi continued to dictate matters but found it hard to beat Mercieca. A Nicola Del Re drive beat the Lions keeper but smacked against the woodwork.

Qormi sealed the issue a minute from time. Paris was quick to pounce on some shaky Lions defending before beating Mercieca from close in.

Naxxar: J. Mercieca, I. Borg, J.P. Zahra, M. Spiteri Gonzi, R. Schembri, J. Zammit, K. Grech, J. Brincat, A. Catania, G. Magri, P. Anizoba.

Qormi: M. Farrugia, E. Azzopardi (N. Del Re), N. Zarb Cousin, A. Saliba, T. Paris, K. Zammit, J. Farrugia, M. Tabone, J. Chetcuti, J. Zammit, C. Vella), M. Borg Olivier.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Michael Borg Olivier (Qormi).

St Patrick 0
Tarxien Rainbows 1

Tarxien kept their slim promotion hopes alive after beating St Patrick who are now out of the race.

A drawn result would have favoured Mqabba but as things stand Joey Falzon's team are still the favourites to join Hamrun Spartans in the Premier League next season.

Alan Tabone played another blinder for Tarxien and a player to watch out for in the future is St Patrick's teenage winger Sean Magro. His dribbling and ball control belied his young age.

Kenneth Abela missed the target for St Patrick with the first noteworthy shot at goal that arrived on 31 minutes. Tarxien hit back with a Tabone free-kick that flew just wide.

Jesmond Zerafa's Tarxien were unlucky on 39 minutes when Stefan Farrugia's strike hit the crossbar.

On 52 minutes St Patrick went close when, from a Sandro Costa Brazilino's cross, Magro's header was stopped by Sean Cini's diving save.

On 57 minutes, Ryan Darmanin worked his way superbly into the Saints' box but blasted out from a good position. Then, a Simon Shead cross found Steve Sadowski whose first-time effort was saved in style by Saints' keeper David Cassar.

On 67 minutes Costa Brazilino drove the ball wide from 14 metres out but Tarxien scored the winner 15 minutes from time. Tabone's pass put Shead through and he coolly slotted past Cassar who was looking to narrow the angle for the Tarxien striker.

Ten minutes from time, Abela's header, following a free-kick, sailed just wide as the Saints tried in vain to score an equaliser in the late stages of the match.

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

Tarxien: S. Cini, S. Sadowski, M. Caruana, J. Francica (J. Schembri), O. Grech (M. Micallef), S. Farrugia (M. Pisani), S. Shead, A. Tabone, P. Camilleri, M. Okoro, R. Darmanin.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

Man of the match: Alan Tabone (Tarxien Rainbows).