[attach id=248703 size="medium"]St Andrew’s defender Brian Said (centre) outjumps Naxxar midfielder Andre Rocha da Silva. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli[/attach]
St Andrew’s 2
Naxxar Lions 2
St Andrew’s produced a brave fightback as they came from two goals behind to hold promotion contenders Naxxar Lions. Yet, the draw was not enough for St Andrew’s to revive their own promotion hopes.
The Lions are now level with Vittoriosa Stars on 41 points, one behind leaders Lija, with the Cottonera side having a game in hand.
Before the match, St Andrew’s president Steve Abela presented a trophy to coach Wayne Attard in recognition of his service to the club during his four-year tenure. Attard will leave St Andrew’s at the end of the season.
Naxxar forged ahead after nine minutes, Angus Buhagiar heading home from Anderson Ribeiro’s cross.
St Andrew’s responded in the 18th minute when a Joseph Farrugia free-kick sailed just over the crossbar. Eight minutes later, Rumen Kerekov was unlucky when his drive was deflected by a defender.
On the half-hour, the Lions were close to adding a second when Daren Falzon reached a floating pass from Victor Bellia and tried to lob the on-rushing Matthew Towns but the ball ended wide.
Naxxar doubled their lead in first-half stoppage time. Andrea Rocha da Silva played a good one-two with Anthony Ewurum who picked out Falzon with the latter slotting the ball home from close range.
The second half started on a quiet note with Naxxar easily controlling the Saints’ efforts.
However, St Andrew’s reopened the issue on 65 minutes when Trayo Grozev headed home from Peter Anizoba’s cross.
Four minutes later, Kerekov shot wide after Jonathan Briscoe White’s cross was partially saved by Julian Azzopardi.
With 15 minutes to go, William Camilleri hit over from the distance but a minute later Farrugia equ-alised for the Saints with a perfect grounder from outside the box.
Seven minutes from time, Towns made a point-blank save to deny Falzon who received from Ewurum.
Anizoba was red-carded on the stroke of time for a second bookable offence.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Farrugia’s lob from the distance almost deceived Naxxar keeper Azzopardi who just managed to tip the ball away for a corner.
St Andrew’s: M. Towns, B. Said, D. Gera (P. Briscoe White), J. Briscoe White, B. Diacono, J. Farrugia, P. Anizoba, W. Camilleri, M. Grima, R. Kerekov, T. Grozev.
Naxxar: J. Azzopardi, L. Micallef, J. Vella, P. Doffo, S. Eboh, V. Bellia, A. Rocha da Silva, K. Drago, D. Falzon, A. Buhagiar, A. Ribeiro (A. Ewurum).
Referee: Stephen Pace.
Man of the match: Andrea Rocha da Silva (Naxxar).