Vittoriosa back to winning ways

St Patrick 0
Vittoriosa Stars 1

After their unexpected goalless draw against Pietà Hotspurs, Vittoriosa Stars returned to winning ways yesterday at the expense of St Patrick to go top of the table.

It was St Patrick who enjoyed the better start. Five minutes into the game, they protested for a penalty when Yanis Tonna appeared to have been illegally impeded by Johann Spiteri in the box but the referee waved play on.

The Saints continued to show the better ideas but were erratic in their final pass. As the first half moved on, Vittoriosa took the initiative but they had to wait until the 23rd minute to create their first chance.

Leontin Chitescu sent in a cross from the left and St Patrick defender Matthew Fleri Soler almost headed into his own net as he tried to clear the danger.

Winston Muscat's side continued to press forward and six minutes before the break, Beppe Muscat was foiled by Saints goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

A minute later, Chitescu's shot ended over the bar after a fine Vittoriosa move but, a minute from half-time, the Romanian gave his team a deserved lead.

Chitescu delivered a cross-shot from the right wing which soared over the Saints defence and goalkeeper Min-toff to finish into the back of the net.

At the start of the second half, Gordon Failla's long-range cross-shot was tipped over the crossbar by Henry Bonello. On 51 minutes, a good interchange involving Henry Makinwa, Chitescu and Clayton Micallef finished with the latter shooting from the edge of the area but Mintoff saved.

Thirteen minutes from time, Vittoriosa could have added a second when Elton Vella's header was cleared off the line by Mifsud with the goalkeeper beaten.

Vittoriosa looked to have suffered a setback eight minutes from the end when Vella, having just been booked for a foul, was shown a second yellow card followed by the red for dissent.

The Saints tried to exploit their numerical advantage. Bronwen Bugeja hit a shot from the distance but the ball just missed the target. Vittoriosa, however, easily controlled their advantage in the final minutes to keep their promotion bid on track.

Vittoriosa: H. Bonello, J. Camilleri (K. Formosa), J. Xerri, P. Aquilina, J. Chetcuti, B. Muscat, J. Spiteri (G. Inguanez), L. Chitescu, E. Vella, C. Micallef, H. Makinwa (P. Camilleri).

St Patrick: S. Mintoff, M. Fleri Soler, R. Mifsud, S. Zerafa, L. Sciberras, M. Pullicino, S. Dimech, R. Cassar, A. Ellul (B. Bugeja), Y. Tonna (R. Cassar), G. Failla (J. Farrugia).

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Leontin Chitescu (Vittoriosa).

Mosta 1
St George's 1

Mosta and St George's shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw, a result that suited neither side.

Promotion hopefuls Mosta nosed ahead after six minutes. Gilbert Martin sprinted into the St George's box but was brought down by Gordon Mallia. Referee Paul Apap only whistled the penalty after assistant referee Sammy Attard sig-nalled that Martin had been fouled.

Terrence Vella was relieved to see his penalty strike roll into the net off Thomas Galea's chest after the St George's goalkeeper got a touch to the ball.

On 15 minutes, Martin drove the ball just over as he ran at the Saints defence.

A minute later, Vella crossed for Lyden Micallef who fired over. Mosta continued to play the better football and on 34 minutes, a Vella free-kick from around 30 metres was saved by Galea.

Just before the break, St George's went close when Anthony Ewurun's drive from just outside the area finished just wide.

St George's started the second half in aggressive mode and managed to equalise after only two minutes thanks to Nathan Caruana's first-time shot from just inside the box. Seven minutes into the second half, a Glenn Bonello free-kick just missed the target. As the game progressed, Mosta recovered from their blip to increase the pressure on the fading Saints.

An overhead kick by Josef Dalli was saved by the Mosta custodian but, at the other end, Mosta's Martin missed a sitter as he sent the ball wide with only the goalkeeper to beat after receiving from substitute Victor Osobu.

In the final minutes, Mosta could have won it when Osobu burst through the Saints rearguard and teed up Martin who blasted over from 10 metres out.

Mosta: J. Debono, B. Agius, A. Borg, M. Briggs, K. Farrugia (L. Stivala), M. Farrugia (C. Pace), G. Martin, L. Micallef (V. Osobu), M. Brincat, J. Vella, T. Vella.

St George's: T. Galea, S. Sciberras, E. Sevasta, N. Caruana, A. Ewurun, C. Grech (J. Bugeja), E. Amaira, B. Fenech, J. Dalli, G. Mallia, G. Bonello (C. Ciappara).

Referee: Paul Apap.

Man of the match: Terrence Vella (Mosta).