Corinthians leave it late to down St George’s

St George’s 1
Zejtun Corinthians 4

Three late goals, two scored by veteran striker Kenneth Abela, helped Żejtun notch another win to keep them in fourth place and in the running for promotion.

St George’s played one of their best matches so far this season. However, their efforts were still not enough to move away from the drop zone.

The Corinthians took to the field without influential striker Gers Delia as Waillys de Azevedo made his debut for St George’s.

Żejtun could have taken the lead as early as the third minute only for Kalin Ganchev to see his shot beating Thomas Galea but smacking against the bar.

The Saints hit back immediately and took the lead on eight minutes.

A Dylan Zarb free-kick was half-cleared by Żejtun, the ball fell into the path of Emerson Amaira whose volley from outside the box gave the keeper no chance.

Żejtun looked somewhat tense at this juncture with the Saints opting for prudence to preserve their lead. They were also dangerous at times with some interesting moves from swift breaks.

Midway through the half, De Azevedo, who struck a good partnership with Jonathan Ruiz, missed a glorious opportunity when with only Ranier Farrugia to beat, he shot badly and the chance was lost.

With Delia missing, Żejtun were lacking the inspiration they wanted but luckily for them an Edward Azzopardi free-kick soon after the restart flew past the Saints keeper for the equaliser.

The goal lifted the Corinthians who had substitute Jesmar Abela very much in evidence after the break.

Abela had a 56th-minute shot thwarted by Galea and the Saints went close to regaining the lead on 71 minutes with a Ruiz drive that flew just wide.

Twelve minutes from time, Żejtun took the lead, Abela heading home a Nikola Filipov cross.

St George’s looked dead and buried and it was no surprise when on 81 minutes Abela made it 3-1 with another headed attempt from a Ganchev centre.

Żejtun sealed the issue in stoppage time when a Ganchev shot was partially stopped by Galea and from the rebound Carmel Formosa made it 4-1.

St George’s: T. Galea, C. Grech, E. Sevasta, A. Abela, N. Curmi, E. Amaira, D. Zarb, G. Bonello (R. Boutahir), H. Schembri (K. Grech), J. Ruiz, W. De Azevedo.

Żejtun: R. Farrugia, A. Farrugia, E. Azzopardi, M. Borg, C. Magro, V. Camilleri, N. Filipov (C. Formosa), K. Ganchev, L. Micallef (J. Abela), R. Cauchi (S. Sciberras), K. Abela.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Man of the match: Kenneth Abela (Żejtun Corinthians).