Marsaxlokk promoted

San Ġwann 0
Marsaxlokk 3

As expected, Marsaxlokk secured a quick return to the Premier League by beating lowly San Ġwann 3-0 last night. Patrick Curmi's side only needed a draw to make sure of promotion but their class showed as they went on to bag another win to go up as champions.

In the corresponding first round fixture, these two teams shared the spoils in a thrilling four-all draw but the Southerners were in a class of their own yesterday.

They dictated play for most of the game with Martin Deanov, Leighton Grech and Peter Pullicino covering acres of ground also aided by the neat touches of Rumen Galabov and Emil Yantchev.

Meanwhile, this upset pushed San Ġwann a step nearer to Division Two football next season.

Marsaxlokk only took two minutes to take the lead when Deanov tried his luck from well outside the box. It wasn't the best of shots by Deanov's standards but he still hit the back of the net as hesitant keeper Justin Spiteri failed to keep the effort out.

Marsaxlokk were unlucky not to have doubled the score soon after. Malcolm Licari latched on to a Deanov pass and despite having the better of his marker, he saw his grounder hitting the post.

The Saints responded with an Alan Borg shot from just inside the box. Goalkeeper Rueben Debono was on the right spot to save.

Marsaxlokk missed a golden opportunity in the 27th minute when Licari failed to control an easy ball in front of goal following an inviting Leighton Grech centre.

Then, it was Galabov's turn to miss a sitter when blasting high from a good position.

Five minutes before half-time, Marsaxlokk scored a second goal. Licari reached a Grech throughball, rounded goalkeeper Spiteri before placing the ball inside the net.

Less than a minute had passed from the restart when Licari hit home from a Grech cross to make it 3-0.

Joe Brincat's San Ġwann were unlucky not to reduce the arrears when Borg hit the crossbar following a melee inside the Marsaxlokk box.

The Southerners continued to press forward but were unable to add more goals to their tally.

On one occasion Raimy thought he had beaten Spiteri with a header but the effort was kept out in style by the Saints' keeper.

San Ġwann: J. Spiteri, Q. Bregman, N. Curmi (P. Xuereb), M. Francica, M. Caruana, A. Borg, C. Cuschieri (K. Vella), S. Pisani (J. Cutajar), L. Cumbo, R. Sell, S. Hili.

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono (G. Zammit), G. Sciberras, M. Deanov, P. Pullicino (T. Templeman), M. Licari, L. Grech (G. Caruana), W. Camenzuli, C. Brincat, R. Galabov, E. Yantchev, F. Raimy,

Referee: Tristan Farrugia Cann.

Man of the match: Martin Deanov (Marsaxlokk).