Darmanin foils Senglea

Senglea Athletic 0
Vittoriosa Stars 1

A fine goal from Keith Darmanin 20 minutes from time handed Vittoriosa Stars three vital points over rivals Senglea Athletic yesterday.

Vittoriosa fully deserved to pick up all points yesterday as they held the initiative for much of the match and could have easily cantered to a more pronounced victory had they taken the chances they created.

Senglea, who are still in search of their first win, rarely threatened the Vittoriosa rearguard. On this form they surely need to improve if they are to avoid the drop.

Vittoriosa were on the offensive right from the start and after only six minutes striker Kenneth Abela was too fast for the Senglea defence and the veteran forward controlled the ball but hit wide with only the opponents goalkeeper to beat.

Vittoriosa were again unlucky on seven minutes when after a good choral move, that involved five players, Stephan Calleja tried his luck from outside the area but the ball just missed the target.

The Stars continued to dictate matters and on 26 minutes Anthony Eviparker showed all the class when he dribbled past three Senglea defenders only to shoot just wide from 10 metres.

With nine minutes to go Eviparker again showed his skills when his firm drive from just inside the area was turned away magnificently by George Attard.

On 44 minutes it was again Vittoriosa who should have taken the lead when Eviparker missed a sitter when he drove the ball wide from routine distance after Abela had sprinted through on the right.

In time added on Eviparker again missed a glorious chance to give his side the lead when he mis-hit the ball from close range after a good move from Lucienne Scerri.

Senglea finally threatened early in the second half when a Simon Aquilina header, from a Joseph Farrugia cross, finished just wide.

Vittoriosa finally broke Senglea's resistance on 71 minutes. They were awarded a free-kick and Darmanin beat George Attard with a low drive.

Senglea Athletic: G. Attard, N. Abela, D. Cosaitis, S. Aquilina, J. Farrugia (C. Borg), O. Ellul (J. Felice), E. Mbong, A. Sciortino, E. Azzopardi, M. Schembri (L. Bonett), D. Zahra.

Vittoriosa Stars: J. Micallef, K. Darmanin (J. Spiteri), K. Abela, S. Calleja (R.Adami), A. Eviparker, C. Cachia, L. Lagana, J. Camilleri, L. Scerri (S. Privitelli), P. Aquilina, D. Grech.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Man of the Match: Keith Darmanin (Vittoriosa).