Żebbuġ Rangers 3
Britto 17; Monti 61p; Mamic 72;
Naxxar Lions 3
Gilmar 21, Falzon 29; Gueye 39p;

Naxxar Lions failed to give new coach Jesmond Zerafa a dream start as they were held by bottom-placed Żebbuġ Rangers who staged another stirring fightback to earn a point after being 3-1 down.

This may ultimately be viewed as two points lost for Zerafa as a seemingly straightforward match for the Lions in the opening period featured a dramatic turnaround with the Rangers, who are still without a win, taking total control early in the second half to claw their way back into the match.

Zerafa opted to field an unchanged side from the 5-1 rout to Hibernians, a clear sign that he believes that the problems for Naxxar’s early struggles lie elsewhere. Terence Vella was higher up behind the leading duo of Pape Gueye and Gilmar in 4-3-1-2.

Swiss newcomer Carlo Polli and Lee James Agius were named in Żebbuġ’s starting XI as coach Jesmond Zammit made two changes from the 1-0 defeat to Sliema.

Matthew Bartolo and Bojan Mamic had to settle for a place on the bench.

The opening minutes were short of goalmouth action as Naxxar easily withheld the Rangers’ efforts.

That was until the 17th minute when Mattias Muchiardi sent Mauricio Britto clear of the Lions defence and the Brazilian deftly flicked the ball over keeper Julian Azzopardi.

Naxxar looked shell-shocked but scored an equaliser four minutes later. Gilmar pounced on a loose ball before curling a superb shot into the top left-hand corner.

It didn’t take the Lions long to move ahead as an interchange between Ryan Gilmour Cassar and Gueye unlocked the Żebbuġ defence with the Senegalese striker racing through the right flank before releasing Daren Falzon whose shot had the better of Jeffrey Farrugia.

Six minutes from half-time, Naxxar pulled further clear when Clifford Gauci fouled the advancing Vella inside the box. Referee Adrian Azzopardi awarded the Lions a penalty and Gueye drilled his shot past Farrugia. Everyone thought that Gueye’s goal had settled the issue in Naxxar’s favour but the drama was not over yet.

A minute into the second half, Naxxar were dealt an unexpected blow when defender Andrew Scicluna was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Past the hour mark, Naxxar protested for a penalty when Gueye was tackled by Yessous Camilleri on the edge of the box but the referee was unmoved.

The ball was quickly transferred to the other side of the pitch as Britto ran into the penalty area and passed to Muchiardi who was brought down by Cassar.

From the ensuing spot-kick, Carlo Monti sent Azzopardi the wrong way.

With Naxxar now protecting a narrow 3-2 lead, and with John Nwoba and Bojan Mamic on for the more-defensive minded Agius and Polli, Żebbuġ sensed they could secure an unlikely point.

It duly arrived in the 72nd minute when towering Serbian striker Mamic powered his way through the Naxxar defence before lobbing the ball over the onrushing Azzopardi.

That was that but the final whistle brought furious protests from the Naxxar fans who felt that some decisions in the second half had gone against their team.

Żebbuġ Rangers
J. Farrugia-5, Y. Camilleri-5, J. Diaz Serrano-5.5, M. Gauci-6, J. Borg-6, C. Gauci-6, M. Muchiardi-6.5, C. Monti-7, M. Britto-7, L. Agius-5 (46 J. Nwoba-6), C. Polli-5.5 (55 B. Mamic-6.5).

Naxxar Lions
J. Azzopardi-5, I. Edet-5.5, D. Falzon-6 (70 U. Emenike-5.5), T. Vella-5, M. Del Negro-5.5, P. Gueye-5.5, Gilmar-5, A. Scicluna, D.A. Reano-6, U. Edafe-5.5 (63 V. Bellia-5), R. Cassar-5.5.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Falzon; C. Gauci; Scicluna; Muchiardi; M. Gauci; Cassar; Gueye; Reano; Bellia; Serrano Diaz.

Red card: Scicluna (NL) 46.

BOV player of the match: Carlo Monti (Żebbuġ Rangers).

Attendance: 624.

Standings