Marsaxlokk 2
Żejtun Corinthians 0

Marsaxlokk went top of Division One yesterday after beating Żejtun Corinthians.

The southseasiders turned in a polished display in the first half and, although the Corinthians improved after the break, they rarely troubled the Marsaxlokk rearguard. When Edward Azzopardi missed a penalty for Żejtun, the contest was as good as over.

Żejtun had new signing Ivan Kurtisic (ex-Gudja) in the side but he had a quiet debut.

Marsaxlokk surged forward from the off and created various openings. They went close after three minutes when Andre Grabowski broke through but his shot was kept out by keeper Juergen Borg.

Gary Caruana tried his luck from well outside the penalty area but his shot just missed the target.

Marsaxlokk forged ahead on 30 minutes when veteran Rupert Mangion did well to reach a Caruana centre before hitting past Borg.

The Blues continued to press forward and Douglas da Silva Silveira had his effort deflected away for a corner and a Mangion header then flashed past the upright.

Żejtun came more into the picture in the second half but it was Marsaxlokk who scored a second on 57 minutes. Da Silva Silveira exchanged passes with Darrel Grech before the 21-year-old Brazilian let loose an unstoppable scorcher from 25 metres out.

Less than a minute later, however, substitute Ryan Mifsud tripped Omar El Ghaouti in the Marsaxlokk box and a penalty was given. It was a poor effort by Azzopardi though as his weak shot was stopped by keeper Omar Borg.

That missed penalty took the fight out of Żejtun with Marsaxlokk seizing the initiative to preserve their lead.

Late on, Mark Brincat denied Żejtun a consolation goal when he cleared off the line a Diego Cucciardi shot from just inside the box.

Marsaxlokk: O. Borg, R. Mifsud, M. Brincat, K. Scicluna, M.P. Clarke, R. Mangion, G. Caruana (M. Caruana), D. Grech, A. Grabowski, D. Da Silva Silveira, D. Micallef (D. Attard).

Żejtun: J. Borg, A. Farrugia (D. Cucciardi), E. Azzopardi, C. Magro, K. Abela, D. Mifsud, K. Vassallo (J. Spiteri), I. Kurtusic, O. Majtara, A. Carabott, O. El Ghaouti.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Man of the match: Douglas Da Silva Silveira (Marsaxlokk).

Birżebbuġa 1
St Andrew’s 2

St Andrew’s were back to winning ways yesterday to revive their promotion challenge after beating relegation-troubled Birżebbuġa by the odd goal in three.

The Saints took the lead after 15 minutes when Michael Johnson headed home from close range a Joseph Farrugia corner.

Birżebbuġa tried to get their act together but could not find a way through their opponents’ tight defensive cover.

Vinicius Pereira Dos Santos’s fine run finished with the same player shooting wide from just inside the area after a good move by Thiago Mazzitelli but that was the closest the seasiders’ came to an equaliser.

A Martin Deanov free-kick was superbly saved by Matthew Towns as Birżebbuġa continued to push hard to level matters. They emerged from the dressing room in the second half looking more determined but it was St Andrew’s who almost added a second when Trayo Grozev sprinted down the right flank before delivering an inviting ball to Rumen Kerekov who saw his shot saved by Ivan Casha.

But Kerekov was not to be denied on 62 minutes when he flicked the ball home following good work on the wing by substitute Luke Cesareo.

Saints’ sub Mark Hyzler was unlucky when, minutes after coming on for Kerekov, he fell awkwardly and cried out injured.

Birżebbuġa then succeeded in pulling one back through Deanov who lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper but the Saints regrouped to preserve their slim lead.

Birżebbuġa: I. Casha, R. Mintoff, K. Borg, F. Peplow (M. Camilleri), P. Camilleri (R. Duca), V. Pereira Dos Santos, J. Farrugia, T. Mazzitelli, M. Deanov, M. Mifsud, R. Micallef.

St Andrew’s: M. Towns, N. Chetcuti, B. Diacono, M. Johnson, B. Said, J. Farrugia, J. Briscoe White, P. Anizoba (L. Cesareo), N. Vella Petroni, R. Kerekov (M. Hyzler, W. Camilleri) T. Grozev.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Man of the match: Martin Deanov (Birżebbuġa).