Vittoriosa leave it late

St Patrick 1
Vittoriosa Stars 3

Vittoriosa Stars left it late to beat St Patrick who hit a dark patch after such a superb start to the campaign. St Patrick have now gone four games without a victory, earning just one point from a possible 12.

The Stars were the better side in the opening half and defended stoutly after the restart before hitting the goals that mattered late on.

There was little of note in the early stages of the match although St Patrick looked better in possession but careless in their finishing. The first real threat on goal came on 21 minutes. It was Peter Anizoba who had a header finishing just wide of the Vittoriosa goal.

But suddenly Vittoriosa started coming more into the picture and on 28 minutes a Kenneth Abela header was saved in style by David Cassar.

Cassar then turned the ball away for a corner from a Keith Darmanin shot and from the flag-kick Darmanin headed just wide.

On 34 minutes minutes Vittoriosa forged ahead when Johan Spiteri hit home from a Darmanin corner.

St Patrick tried to react but reserved their best to the second half when they took control of the game as the Stars opted to administer their one-goal advantage.

Alex Camilleri, formerly of St Patrick, came to the Stars' rescue twice following saves on Anizoba and Caruana.

However, on 72 minutes Camilleri was unable to stop Caruana's piledriver for the Saints to draw level.

Those present at the Hibs Ground expected the Saints to build on that goal but it was Vittoriosa who regained the lead when Robert Adami hit home from an acute angle.

St Patrick were stunned and dead and buried in stoppage time when Vittoriosa made it 3-1 from an Anthony Eviparker penalty after he was floored by Clayton Micallef in the box.

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

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

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Man of the Match: Thomas Caruana (St Patrick).