Dingli back in the hunt

Dingli Swallows 2
Vittoriosa Stars 0

Dingli Swallows climbed to second place in the Division One table yesterday after a deserved 2-0 victory over Vittoriosa Stars. Thanks to this win, Dingli are back in the hunt for promotion to the Premier League.

Vittoriosa, who had three points deducted from their tally and ordered to replay the derby against St George's last week, were poor yesterday as Dingli again relied on midfielder Roderick Spiteri to steer the team to victory.

The initial stages produced little goalmouth action although Dingli's Mark Galea hit the post on 17 minutes following a Spiteri delivery in the Stars' box.

Dingli took the lead on 19 minutes when some fine work by Galea was finished off by Uchanna Anywanna who rammed the ball into the net from close range.

Dingli now started to dictate matters and doubled their lead on 26 minutes when Anywanna went on a solo run before hitting low past the Stars' keeper.

Vittoriosa tried to hit back and on 35 minutes, a Kenneth Abela header was saved by Jeffrey Farrugia. However, it was Dingli who almost increased their lead before half-time but a shot by Anywanna was cleared to safety in the nick of time.

The second half began with Vittoriosa on the attack. Anthony Eviparker produced a fine run but none of his team-mates were in a position to make the most of his cross.

Vittoriosa might have pulled a goal back midway through the half. They were awarded a penalty after Clint Caruana floored Abela in the box. Eviparker, however, saw his spot-kick saved in style by Farrugia.

Dingli were never threatened again after the penalty scare. They had a chance to make it 3-0 late on but Kurt Formosa blasted wide from a good position.

Dingli Swallows
J. Farrugia, C. Caruana, E. Casha, R. Spiteri, M. Galea, C. Muscat, J. Cachia, E. Farrugia (K. Formosa), G. Failla, R. Mintoff (V. Fiteni), U. Anywanna.

Vittoriosa Stars
J. Micallef, K. Abela (K. Darmanin), E. Cachia (N. Chukunyere), P. Aquilina, H. Hughes, A. Eviparker, L. Scerri, D. Grech, D. Gauci, S. Calleja, J. Spiteri (Camilleri).

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

Man of the match: Mark Galea (Dingli Swallows).