St George's back in the hunt after derby win

St George's 2
Vittoriosa Stars 1

St George's are back in the reckoning for a promotion slot after they beat neighbouring rivals Vittoriosa Stars by the odd goal in three.

It was sweet revenge for the Saints who had been humbled 5-0 by Vittoriosa in their corresponding first-round fixture. St George's were the better side throughout and could have easily scored a more pronounced victory had they taken the chances that came their way.

The first real goal-scoring opportunity came in the 17th minute when St George's striker Anthony Ewurun was put clear by Gordon Spiteri but was blocked by goalkeeper Henry Bonello with the ball finishing in the path of Josef Dalli who saw his shot hit the post.

Joey Falzon's side continued to attack and on the half-hour an Anthony Bonello header was saved by the Vittoriosa custodian.

But a minute later, Vittoriosa took the lead against the run of play. Michael Borg Olivier ran into the Saints area with the ball falling to Joseph Chetcuti who rammed his shot home.

St.George 's continued to push men forward and Ewurun went close by a whisker when he chested down a Glenn Bonello long ball in the area and his first-time effort just missed the target.

In the 43rd minute Vittoriosa threatened when Beppe Muscat had his close-range effort saved by Thomas Galea after some good work by Leontin Chitescu.

In the second half, St George's continued to play in the same pattern of the first 45 minutes and deservedly equalised in the 55th minute when Silvio Sciberras found Glenn Bonello whose first-time effort hit a defender and Dalli headed home from the rebound.

Three minutes later St George's scored what proved to be the winner. They were awarded a corner from which Gordon Mallia headed the ball firmly into the net.

Eight minutes from time, St George's almost hit a third goal when Anthony Bonello brought the best out of Vittoriosa keeper Henry Bonello.

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

Vittoriosa: H. Bonello ; P. Aquilina, B. Bonnici, J. Camilleri (H. Makinwa), B. Muscat, J. Spiteri, C. Micallef, J. Chetcuti, L. Chitescu, M. Borg Olivier.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi

Man of the match: Anthony Ewurun (St George's).

Mosta 1
St Patrick 2

St Patrick clinched three priceless points at the expense of Mosta to move away from the relegation zone.

It was an entertaining match in the opening 45 minutes with Mosta holding the edge on their opponents and taking a deserved lead. However, St Patrick gradually came more into the picture and managed to turn the match in their favour with two well-taken goals.

Mosta were soon on the offensive and after four minutes a good move between Julian Vella, Mark Briggs and Gilbert Martin saw the latter seeing his shot saved by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.

Four minutes later, Mosta took the lead when Martin beat his marker to fire home after being set up by Terrence Vella.

On 12 minutes, St Patrick were almost level when Thomas Caruana's header was well kept out by keeper Jonathan Debono.

St Patrick managed to equalise on 21 minutes when Luke Sciberras pounced on a Daniel Milovanovic through ball, dribbled past Debono before pushing the ball into an empty net.

The Żabbar side took the lead on 31 minutes when Jurgen Farrugia bundled the ball home with his chest following a Caruana free-kick.

On 37 minutes, Mosta could have equalised when Mintoff took a long time to clear with his feet, Victor Osobu deviated the ball into the path of Martin who shot straight at the Saints custodian.

Mintoff came to St Patrick's rescue when he blocked the goal-bound Julian Vella.

A minute into the second half the Saints could have added a third when Matthew Fleri Soler had his header cleared off the line by Kane Farrugia.

On 56 minutes, Mosta were awarded a penalty when Mark Pullicino brought down Martin in the box but from the penalty Mark Briggs drove the ball wide.

Deep into injury time Mosta could have saved the game but Lyden Micallef's close-range effort was blocked by a defender.

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

St Patrick: S. Mintoff; M. Fleri Soler, R. Mifsud, J. Farrugia, L. Sciberras, T. Farrugia, S. Dimech, T. Caruana, M Pullicino, S. Zerafa (G. Failla), D. Milovanovic (Y. Tonna).

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Man of the match: Daniel Milovanovic (St Patrick).