Dingli eye promotion

Senglea Athletic 0
Dingli Swallows 5

Dingli joined Vittoriosa at the summit of the standings yesterday and are now one game away from a historic promotion to the Premier League. Jesmond Zammit's side, one point ahead of third-placed Pieta, play relegation-troubled Rabat in their last match and a win will definitely see them through.

As expected, the Swallows had an easy day against the already-doomed Senglea. They started the game on the offensive in search of an early goal. Chris Ciappara almost headed them in front but his effort flew wide on six minutes.

Senglea had Essien Mbong dribbling his way past four opponents but then lingered his conclusion and allowed the Dingli rearguard to clear the ball away.

On 13 minutes Ciappara was thwarted by George Attard who saved with a foot, this after some good work by Uchanna Anywanna. The latter saw his lob falling straight into the hands of goalkeeper Attard and then failing to control well from 12 metres out.

Dingli took the lead midway through the half when the ball was half-cleared from a corner and Anywanna delivered a perfect cross for Jason Cachia to head home.

Dingli missed a golden opportunity to score a second on the stroke of half-time when Ciappara hit wide from close range following an inviting Anywanna pass.

Dingli, however, doubled their lead on 55 minutes. Ryan Mintoff's shot from 25 metres out deceived Attard who was a trifle too late with his dive.

Senglea lost composure with Dingli now finding more spaces to launch their attacks.

After a series of near misses, they managed to score a third when the tireless Roderick Spiteri served Anywanna who tapped the ball in for his 11th goal of the season.

With seven minutes to go it was 4-0 when Ciappara scored from close range and Kurt Formosa put the cherry on Dingli's cake with a fifth goal on 87 minutes.

Senglea: G. Attard, D. Cosaitis, S. Aquilina, D. Cosaitis, O. Ellul (C. Borg), B. Zerafa, A. Sciortino, J. Felice (G. Brincat), K. Galea (G. Falzon), E. Mbong, I. Tarek.

Dingli: J. Farrugia, E. Casha (M. Galea), C. Ciappara, R. Spiteri, K. Formosa, J. Cachia, E. Farrugia (C. Azzopardi), J. Agius (G. Failla), V. Fiteni, R. Mintoff, U. Anywanna.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Kurt Formosa (Dingli).