Late penalty earns St Andrew’s a point
Birżebbuġa 2St Andrew’s 2 A late penalty earned St Andrew’s a point in a match that saw Birżeb-buġa seemingly heading for a win after two defeats only for Alinho Goncalves to ruin their hopes. The Saints looked the more enterprising team at the outset...
Birżebbuġa 2
St Andrew’s 2
A late penalty earned St Andrew’s a point in a match that saw Birżeb-buġa seemingly heading for a win after two defeats only for Alinho Goncalves to ruin their hopes.
The Saints looked the more enterprising team at the outset as Nicky Vella Petroni tested goalkeeper Ivan Casha with a fierce shot.
Birżebbuġa had a David Da Silva effort rattling the bar before they took the lead with a superb Frantisek Schneider goal from a free-kick.
St Andrew’s tried to hit back but Birżebbuġa were close to doubling their lead just before half-time.
Mead Mifsud’s shot hit the up-right and from the rebound Da Silva was denied by Daniel Balzan whose save kept his team in the match.
St Andrew’s equalised on 52 minutes. Vella Petroni controlled an Alinho cross before shooting low and hard to beat Casha.
But their joy was short-lived as a minute later Da Silva’s shot had the better of Balzan − 2-1.
This goal had a devastating effect on the Saints who looked nervous and bereft of ideas.
Birżebbuġa were controlling the proceedings quite comfortably but four minutes from time Michael Grima’s shot was handled by Kenneth Spiteri in the box and from the penalty Goncalves made it 2-2.
Birżebbuġa: I. Casha, K. Spiteri, M. Pullicino (R. Celeste), D. Baldac-chino, F. Schneider, G. Tanti, L. Grima, M. Mifsud, K. Borg, M. Sciortino, D. Da Silva.
St Andrew’s: D. Balzan, N. Chetcuti, B. Diacono (M. Grima), B. Said, K. Galea (M. Ellul), R. Previ (M. Calleja), A. Camilleri Kamsky, N. Vella Petroni, A. Nakua, V. Alinho Goncalves, G. Ribeiro.
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
Man of the match: David Da Silva (Birżebbuġa).
St Patrick 1
Naxxar Lions 2
A Darren Falzon goal five minutes from time punished St Patrick who did not deserve to finish this match empty-handed.
Naxxar went close on 10 minutes through a Hallison Lima Siqueira free-kick and then, from a melee inside the Saints’ box, John Debono’s effort finished wide.
St Patrick threatened for the first time on 15 minutes when Riggers Ceka hit badly from a Spas Spasov pass but the Lions took the lead on 22 minutes when Mattia del Negro beat Jonathan Grech from an acute angle.
The Saints reacted immediately and hit back strongly.
Clayton Camilleri was unlucky to see his drive hit the foot of the Nax-xar post as the Saints protested for a penalty when Alex Ellul looked to have been impeded in the area but the referee waved play on.
However, a penalty was given on 35 minutes when Blendi Gockaj’s shot hit Aaron Attard’s arm. Spasov equalised from the spot.
The team from Żabbar continued to push more men forward after the restart with Juergen Farrugia working hard and having a free-kick finishing just over the bar.
Gockaj missed a sitter from close range and Ceka’s insidious drive also flashed just wide.
The Lions weathered the storm and scored the winner on 85 minutes.
The Saints gave away possession in midfield as Falzon got the ball, sprinted strongly inside the opponents’ half and beat Grech with a rasping grounder.
St Patrick : J. Grech, E. Grech (S. Dimech), R. Ceka, S. Zerafa, M. Vella, C. Camilleri, J. Farrugia, B. Gockaj, A. Galea, S. Spasov, A. Ellul (R. Cassar, M. Onurah).
Naxxar Lions: J. Spiteri, K. Drago, L. Micallef (A. Del Negro), A. Attard, R. Schembri, H. Lima Siqueira, J. Debono, V. Bellia, M. Del Negro (K. Fenech), D. Falzon, M. Maccari.
Referee: Philip Farrugia.
Man of the match: Darren Falzon (Naxxar Lions).