St George’s 0
Rabat Ajax 2

Newly-promoted Rabat Ajax enjoyed an excellent start to the Division One season as they gained a deserved 2-0 win over St George’s yesterday.

The Magpies dominated possession for long stretches with Adam Smeir and Justin Felice posing all sorts of problems to the unsteady St George’s defence.

It was St George’s who went close to taking the lead after nine minutes. A good move between Dylan Zarb and Glenn Bonello set up Gary Inguanez who shot wide.

Rabat responded eight minutes later when Felice dribbled past a defender but his drive from just inside the area was well saved by Thomas Galea.

The St George’s goalkeeper was called into action again on 19 minutes as he dashed out of goal to dive at Smeir’s feet.

Silvio Vella’s side continued to dictate matters. Four minutes past the half-hour, Emanuel Sevasta saved St George’s when blocking Felice’s effort following some good work by Ryan Micallef.

Rabat were not to be denied though and, eight minutes from half-time, they forged ahead. Smeir picked out Felice who fired home from close in.

A minute before the break, Rabat threatened again, Micallef sending his shot over the bar after receiving from the dynamic Felice.

Rabat remained on top in the second half, coming close to a second with Felice having a close-range attempt blocked by the goalkeeper. On 53 minutes, Galea again foiled Rabat when he pulled off two fine saves to keep out efforts from Micallef and Felice.

But, two minutes later, the Saints custodian could do nothing to prevent Rabat doubling their lead. Galea did well to push away Smeir’s first-time effort from inside the area but Felice took the rebound and blasted the ball into the net.

St George’s needed a goal to lift their faltering morale and reopen the issue. They came close in the 66th minute but Zarb, with his back to goal, rifled wide after a good move by substitute Reda Boutahir.

With 10 minutes to go, Smeir could have added a third for Rabat as he sprinted past several defenders but ran too wide of goal.

St George’s: T. Galea, E. Sevasta, K. Magro, D. Zahra (A. Bonello), A. Abela, H. Schembri, D. Zarb, C. Grech (V. Bouvette), G. Inguanez, G. Bonello, A. Mercieca (R. Boutahir).

Rabat: S. Mintoff, N. Caruana, C. Schembri, J. Cornforth, J. Felice (R. Vassallo), A. Smeir, D. Falzon, C. Muscat, R. Micallef (K. Muscat), D. Azzopardi, C. Gauci.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Adam Smeir (Rabat).

Pietà Hotspurs 4
Naxxar Lions 0

In yesterday’s second Division One match, Pietà proved too strong for newcomers Naxxar Lions as the Hotspurs kicked off their league commitments with a 4-0 victory.

Adopting an attacking approach, Edmond Lufi’s side tormented the Lions who found it difficult to cope with their opponents’ pressure.

Jurgen Pisani, Quilin Refalo and Zach Muscat ran the show for Pietà who might have taken the lead after only 35 seconds.

Refalo’s pass was deflected towards Larsson Mallia but the latter fired straight at Naxxar goalkeeper Justin Spiteri.

Naxxar produced their first notable attack on five minutes. Hallison Lima Esequira made a good run before serving Edilson Fiori Dos Santos whose central shot was easily blocked by Pietà goalkeeper Miguel Montfort.

The Hotspurs soon regained the initiative but had to wait until the 35th minute to open the scoring, Muscat heading home from Pisani’s corner.

Two minutes before half-time, Montfort saved a long-range free-kick by Lima Esequira. Pietà had a good chance to double their lead on the stroke of half-time when Refalo set up Muscat who brought the best out of Spiteri.

Pietà increased their tempo after the change of ends. They increased their lead on 49 minutes when Pisani passed to Refalo in the area and the Pietà striker dribbled past a defender before placing the ball in the net.

The Hotspurs made the points safe eight minutes into the second half. Muscat opened up the Naxxar defence with a telling pass towards Cleavon Cassar who sped through and beat the onrushing Spiteri.

Naxxar were denied a consolation goal by Montfort who pulled off a great save from Edilson’s free-kick 12 minutes from time. Five minutes later, the Pietà goalkeeper was prominent again when stopping Darren Falzon’s drive from just inside the area.

Pietà wrapped up the scoring five minutes from time. In a quick counter-attack, Pisani ran through before hitting a shot that came off a post but the ball glanced off back-tracking Naxxar defender Andrea Farrugia and sailed into the net.

Pietà: M. Montfort, B. Spiteri, B. Sciberras, Q. Refalo, T. Agius (A. Farrugia), Z. Muscat (G. Busuttil), L. Mallia (M. Schembri), C. Cassar, J. Bilbao Zarate, J. Pisani, I. Grech.

Naxxar: J. Spiteri, A. Attard, K. Drago, A. Farrugia, M. Maccari, H. Lima Esequira (J. Debono), V. Bellia, R. Schembri, L. Micallef (M. Del Negro), D. Falzon, E. Fiori Dos Santos.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Man of the match: Jurgen Pisani (Pietà).