Caruana wins it for Saints

Dingli Swallows 0
St Patrick 2

St Patrick won the first division knock-out yesterday thanks to a Thomas Caruana brace, thus denying Dingli a league and cup double.

Jesmond Zammit's Dingli looked a shadow of the side that won the title as the Saints had goalkeeper David Cassar in fine form, along with Brandon Bonnici and Caruana.

Peter Anizoba tested the Dingli keeper with a rasping drive early on and on 13 minutes the Saints shouted 'penalty' but to no avail after Caruana was sent tumbling by Jason Cachia in the box.

St Patrick held the initiative and took the lead on 29 minutes with a stunning Caruana goal. He fired home from 30 metres out.

The side from Żabbar continued to attack and Anizoba drove his shot just wide following a good move between Muscat and Inguanez.

Caruana was unlucky to hit a post with a shot from Anizoba's cross just before half-time.

Dingli keeper Farrugia made a fine save on Anizoba at the beginning of the second half as Dingli continued to struggle.

St Patrick never looked like surrendering their lead and sealed the issue deep into stoppage time when Caruana sprinted to a long clearance before placing the ball beyond the keeper's reach.

At the end of the match, MFA vice-president Peter Fenech presented the trophy to Saints captain Mark Pullicino. This final wrapped up the MFA competitions for season 2008/09.

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

St Patrick: D. Cassar, M. Pullicino, R. Briffa, S. Zerafa, G. Inguanez (A. Ellul), T. Caruana, K. Formosa, C. Micallef, P. Anizoba (I. Scicluna), B. Bonnici, B. Muscat.

Referee: Paul Caruana.