Vittoriosa Stars 1
Senglea Athletic 2

Senglea Athletic took the spoils in the derby against Vittoriosa Stars, a match that will probably be mostly remembered for its historical connotations.

Yesterday's second round clash between the two Cottonera rivals, both of whom occupy mid-table positions, occurred almost 100 years since their first ever meeting.

According to statisticians, it was in May 1908 when the two sides first played each other. For the record, the game was contested by Shamrock, now Senglea, and Melita, Vittoriosa's forerunners. The result was a 0-0 draw.

Senglea were the better side in the early stages of yesterday's game as the Vittoriosa rearguard found it difficult to cope with their opponents' pressure. Vittoriosa had goalkeeper Gabriel Mansueto, who was deputising for Ivan Cassar, in great form.

Despite Senglea's early domination, it was Vittoriosa who could have forged ahead but Erin Azzopardi just managed to intercept Anthony Eviparker who looked odds-on to head home.

Senglea took the lead on 25 minutes when Kenneth Abela tapped home from close range following a Kevin Mifsud cross.

Massimo Cremona's side had an immediate reaction and were unlucky not to equalise when a Keith Darmanin first-time effort hit the crossbar.

Minutes later, Eviparker dribbled past a couple of defenders down the left flank but his cross was headed just wide by Johan Spiteri.

In the dying moments of the first half, Stephen Calleja's drive finished just wide for Vittoriosa. Striker Mark Tanti came close for Senglea from a free-kick.

After the change of ends, Leighton Grech's cross sailed towards Eviparker whose header was saved by George Attard, the Senglea goalkeeper.

A minute later, Anthony Ewurun, who was a constant threat to the Vittoriosa defence, brought the best out of Mansueto.

On 52 minutes, another Grech cross found Larry Lagana in the area but his drive was blocked by Attard.

Two minutes later, Vittoriosa were again unfortunate not to score when Calleja headed on to the crossbar a Lagana corner. Vittoriosa's efforts were rewarded on 66 minutes when Lagana floated a cross into the area and Cedric Sciberras chested the ball down and hit home.

However, with 13 minutes left, Senglea regained their lead and it was Abela who scored again. This time, the Senglea forward headed the ball home from a Clint Caruana corner.

Vittoriosa tried to salvage a point in the remaining minutes but they failed to trouble the Senglea rearguard.

Vittoriosa: G. Mansueto, S. Privitelli, J. Camilleri, C. Sciberras, A. Eviparker, K. Darmanin, R. Adami (I. Zammit) , L. Lagana, S. Calleja, D. Gauci (L. Grech), J. Spiteri (H. Hughes).

Senglea: G. Attard, S. Aquilina, E. Azzopardi, K. Mifsud, C. Cuschieri, B. Zerafa (K. Galea), M. Tanti, C. Caruana, J. Farrugia, A. Ewurun (L. Bonnett), K. Abela.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Kenneth Abela (Senglea).


Today's football fixtures

National Stadium: BOV Premier League 6 p.m. Msida vs Pietà Hotspurs; 8 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Floriana.

Centenary Stadium: BOV Division Three 6 p.m. Xghajra vs Ghaxaq; 8 p.m. Mdina vs Zebbug.

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