St George’s maintained their hopes of promotion with a narrow 1-0 win over Fgura United, yesterday. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiSt George’s 1
Fgura United 0
St George’s shot to the third place in the standings yesterday after beating fellow promotion contenders Fgura 1-0 but the most satisfied team from this outcome were surely Pembroke.
The leaders are now sure of finishing in the top two positions which means first participation in top-flight football next season.
Fgura continue to misfire badly at this crucial stage of the season and now they can fall further behind in the race for third position and a promotion play-off place after failing to register a win in their last three outings.
The opening stages were rather dull and the first note of action came on 20 minutes when St George’s keeper Carbonaro had to be at his best to keep out a scorching shot by Abeeb Williams.
Fgura had a Josef Dalli goal disallowed for offside but the Saints went in for the break with a one-goal lead thanks to Noah Ojuola’s strike who beat Marmara from close in.
Bregman almost drew the teams level as the second half got underway but he headed just wide from a good position.
Fgura were seeing more of the ball even though the Saints had a good chance to double their lead on the hour. Bruno Chikwadu only had the keeper to beat but Marmara effected a fine save to keep his team alive.
Williams had a good chance to put Fgura level 20 minutes from time but hit badly from inside the Saints’ box.
That was the last time St George’s allowed Fgura extra space inside their territory as for the rest of the match they closed all avenues to their goal to preserve their slim lead and return home with three precious points in their bags.
St George’s: C. Carbonaro, R. Vella, R. Tanti, M. Borg, N. Ojuola, E. Amaira, D. Zerafa, R. Brignoli (M. Tanti), Larson Mallia (Liam Mallia), B. Muscat, B. Chikwado (M. Mentosa).
Fgura: R. Marmara, Q. Bregman, R. Previ, J.M. Ruiz Perez, J. Bugeja, I. Curmi (D. Attard), J. Farrugia, A. Farrugia (R. Emeka), P. Chircop, J. Dalli, A. Williams (A.R. Mendy).
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.
Player of the match: Noah Ojuola (St George’s).
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Pembroke | 24 | 15 | 4 | 5 | 45 | 19 | 49 |
| St Andrew’s | 23 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 44 | 29 | 46 |
| St George’s | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 40 | 32 | 40 |
| Fgura Utd | 24 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 31 | 25 | 40 |
| Gżira Utd | 23 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 42 | 28 | 39 |
| Gudja Utd | 24 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 39 | 26 | 38 |
| Vittoriosa | 23 | 11 | 5 | 7 | 43 | 36 | 38 |
| Melita | 23 | 12 | 2 | 9 | 30 | 25 | 38 |
| Lija Athletic | 23 | 10 | 2 | 11 | 37 | 38 | 32 |
| Mqabba | 23 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 33 | 34 | 30 |
| Rabat Ajax | 24 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 23 | 36 | 23 |
| Żurrieq | 23 | 5 | 4 | 14 | 23 | 38 | 19 |
| Msida SJ | 24 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 23 | 53 | 15 |
| Birżebbuġa | 23 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 25 | 59 | 12 |