RABAT 1 VITTORIOSA 2

Vittoriosa Stars had to summon all their fighting qualities to come from behind and tuck in maximum points against the already-doomed Rabat Ajax.

Rabat made an uninhibited start and were rewarded with a penalty inside the first six minutes when Ryan Micallef was fouled by Clive Brincat as he tried to turn inside the defender. The Magpies striker picked himself up to drive the ensuing spot kick past Mario Muscat, the Vittoriosa goalkeeper.

Ten minutes later, Sorin Oproiescu showed great vision to create an opening for Malcolm Licari but the latter was challenged for the ball by the onrushing Muscat who blocked him.

The Stars gradually recovered from this early setback to gain the initiative. On 21 minutes, Oscar Guerrero’s run troubled the Ajax defence to the point that Ivan Carapic had to slide in to clear off the line. On the half hour mark, the Colombian striker’s well taken freekick was met by Brincat on the far post but the former Rabat player could only direct his header onto the post.

The Stars continued to dictate matters, their pressure forcing Rabat to give away possession. Their efforts paid off on 31 minutes when Marcelo Pereira capitalising on a mistake by Rabat goalkeeper Pavle Velimirovic, hitting a curling shot from the right flank that squeezed in between the goalkeeper’s arm and the post.

Guerrero’s marauding runs were a constant threat for the Mapgies. It was the Colombian striker who started the move which led to his side taking the lead three minutes from break. Pereira latched onto Guerrero’s pass before beating the challenge of Zachary Tanti to plant the ball past Velimirovic.

Ouyed by their first-half lead, Oliver Spiteri’s side opted to sit back after ends were changed but Rabat still afforded them far too much time and space- which was not a surprise considering their position. Past the hour mark, Rabat generated some momentum when Jonathan Bajada took flight on a solo run on the left before his inswinger was tipped with difficulty over the bar by Muscat.

Five minutes from time, substitute Michael Camilleri timed the flight of the ball from Guerrero’s corner to perfection to rise splendidly to send a sizzling header against the bar.