St Patrick beat Senglea 4-0 to reach semi-finals

St Patrick were the fourth team to advance into the semi-finals of the Division One KO competition yesterday after easily disposing of Senglea Athletic 4-0.

In the other match from Group One, with no importance attached as regards the final standings, 10-man Mqabba beat Vittoriosa Stars 3-2.

With the likes of Gary Inguanez, Peter Anizoba, Thomas Caruana and Chris Grech, Winston Muscat's St Patrick could go places this season.

Thanks to their victory, the Saints went on to top the group ahead of Mosta. Now they will face Pieta Hotspurs in the semi-final, a tie scheduled for May 23. The other semi-final will be between Dingli and Mosta.

After only five minutes Senglea were unlucky not to forge ahead when Justin Felice's shot hit a post following a clever pass by Chris Borg.

St Patrick hit back immediately but Grech headed just wide an Anizoba centre. The Saints continued to press forward and on 21 minutes Daniel Gatt's grounder was stopped by goalkeeper Elvin Attard.

Grech then hit the crossbar with a header but just before half-time St Patrick forged ahead when Anizoba placed the ball home after Thomas Caruana had delivered a perfect cross inside the Senglea box.

On 58 minutes, Anizoba made it 2-0 following an Inguanez corner which was fumbled by Attard.

A minute later Nigerian Anizoba sprinted down the left flank and crossed for the unmarked Caruana who hit wide from close in.

On 70 minutes, Anizoba collected his hat-trick, hit shot having the better of the Senglea keeper. Two minutes later, Grech made it 4-0 after being put through by Caruana.

The Saints could have added more goals to their tally but missed a couple of sitters, mainly through Caruana.

With Dingli and Pieta already through to the next phase, Mqabba and Vittoriosa threw caution to the wind and played an open game that produced five goals.

Paul Chimezie opened the score for Mqabba early on but on 21 minutes Anthony Eviparker made it one-all when he headed in a Kenneth Abela cross.

Vittoriosa started playing better and got more wind in their sails on the half-hour mark with the dismissal of Mqabba's Edric Borg for showing dissent to the match officials.

It was no surprise that the Stars took the lead on 32 minutes when Ryan Marmara failed to reach a ball in his box and Robert Adami was free to head home.

But, Mqabba improved considerably after the break. Sean Magro made it 2-2 on 50 minutes and Chimezie scored the goal that mattered 17 minutes from time.

Vittoriosa did their best to save the match but they only came close late on when Lucian Scerri's shot hit the foot of a post from an acute angle.

Final standings

Group One: Dingli 10; Pieta 8; Mqabba 6; Rabat 2; Vittoriosa 1.

Group Two: St Patrick 9; Mosta 8; St George's 5; Senglea 4; San Ġwann 1.