St George's make sure in opening half

Marsa 1
St George's 3

St George's made a decisive step towards survival yesterday when they hammered relegation candidates Marsa who will have to lift their game by several notches to survive the drop at the end of the season.

Peter Anizoba led the Saints' charge as Marsa played a cautious game with many of their players behind the ball. In fact, Marsa even had midfielder Joseph Achokwu playing practically as an anchorman in front of the defence.

At first, Marsa looked as if they were capable of holding their own but three first-half goals in the space of 12 minutes swayed the game in favour of their opponents.

So, thanks to this win the side from Cottonera went on to do the double over Marsa, after beating them 6-0 in the first round, and moved to safer waters in the standings.

St George's started the game playing many balls on the right flank on to Anizoba whose pace was always a constant threat to the Marsa rearguard. However, his final cross finished astray many a time.

The first shot at goal came Marsa's way on 15 minutes when a Kevin Xerri free-kick was saved by Andrea Gatt in the Saints goal. The game, played in front of a practically empty Victor Tedesco Stadium, never reached the heights one expected.

St George's went in front in the 31st minute when Luke Agius fed Anizoba with a floating ball and the Nigerian striker coolly slotted home from close in.

Michael Woods's side were unlucky not to increase their lead in the 37th minute when Heatcliffe Schembri's shot hit the crossbar with Roderick Spiteri beaten.

But the Saints were on target a minute later following a swift counter-attack which was again finished off by Anizoba following an inviting Christian Grech pass.

St George's made it 3-0 in the 43rd minute. It was Grech who started it all when he sprinted through before sending a perfect ball to Glenn Barry who headed home in style.

St George's lifted their foot off the accelerator in the second half, allowing Marsa to see more of the ball. Achokwu found space in the Saints box but shot wide and substitute Jonathan Martin was denied by goalkeeper Gatt.

Anizoba just missed the target with a rasping drive on 70 minutes and nine minutes from time Warren Chircop finally scored a consolation for Marsa.

Marsa: R. Spiteri, J. Rizzo, S. Cutajar, D. Vella, J.P. Zammit (C. Sacco), C. Sammut, J. Achokwu, J. Borg, K. Xerri (J. Martin), W. Chircop, J. Camilleri (B. Zammit).

St George's: A. Gatt, C. Grech (L. Desira Buttigieg), J. Delia, K. Xuereb, C. Caruana, L. Agius (G. Tanti), H. Schembri, B. Borg, P. Anizoba, G. Barry, V. Camilleri.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Man of the match: Christian Grech (St George's).