St Patrick start with a win

St Patrick 1
Rabat Ajax 0

St Patrick started their Division One league campaign with a win over newly-promoted Rabat Ajax. Following their unlucky elimination from the FA Trophy at the hands of Premier League team Floriana last weekend, St Patrick were favourites to beat a Rabat side weakened by the absence of Jonathan Bezzina, suspended, and injured trio Alan Zahra, Keith Micallef and Adrian Mifsud.

The Saints began the match in positive mode and might have forged ahead after only 55 seconds but Beppe Muscat's close-range effort was cleared off the line by the Rabat defenders.

Rabat replied in the ninth minute when Edward Azzopardi's free-kick almost deceived St Patrick keeper David Cassar who just managed to block the ball.

Winston Muscat's team continued to create the better openings and on 11 minutes, Muscat served Thomas Caruana in the Rabat area but the latter was dispossessed by the on-rushing Rabat goalkeeper.

The Saints threatened again five minutes later, Caruana hitting just wide following good work by Gary Inguanez. On 21 minutes, Peter Anizoba headed just over the crossbar from a Mark Pullicino cross.

Two minutes before the break, St Patrick scored what proved to be the winning goal, Daniel Gatt heading home after Inguanez had sliced the ball in his path from Caruana's corner.

It was not until 19 minutes of the second half had passed that Rabat produced a noteworthy chance but Adam Smeir's free-kick sailed over the bar.

At the other end, Chris Grech saw that Rabat goalkeeper Jonathan Azzopardi had drifted outside the penalty area and tried to lob him but the ball flew over.

Eight minutes from time, Smeir ran into St Patrick's penalty box but his drive from an acute angle was deflected away for a corner.

Glenn Magri then missed a good opportunity for Rabat when firing wide in front of goal following a free-kick.

In the final minute of normal time, Rabat's Josef Tonna was sent off for a late tackle on Anizoba.

A minute later, St Patrick also finished with 10 men after Matthew Fleri Soler was red-carded for a second booking.

In stoppage time, St Patrick wasted a glorious chance to seal the issue when Caruana burst through the Rabat defence, dribbled past the goalkeeper but sent his shot wide.

St Patrick
D. Cassar, M. Pullicino, D. Gatt (I. Scicluna), M. Fleri Soler, C. Grech (R. Cassar), G. Inguanez (R. Briffa), T. Caruana, P. Anizoba, C. Micallef, B. Bonnici, B. Muscat.

Rabat
J. Azzopardi, N. Caruana, J. Tonna, J. Caruana, A. Smeir, M. Micallef (P. Ciantar), C. Schembri, G. Magri, E. Muscat (K. Said), L. Micallef (D. Wingfield), E. Azzopardi.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Scorer: Gatt 43.

Red cards: Tonna (R) 90; Fleri Soler (SP) 90+.

Man of the match: Beppe Muscat (St Patrick).