Pembroke newcomer Leighton Grech (left) launching an attack. Photo: Stephen Gatt

Pembroke Athleta 4
Maltz 2, 19; Bardsley 40; O’Brien 76;
St Andrew’s 3
Sehitaj 30; De Nguidjol 68; Desira Buttigieg 90;

Pembroke Athleta continued with their dream start to the BOV Premier League when they edged past neighbouring rivals St Andrew’s in a match riddled with defensive errors from both sides.

Winston Muscat’s men fully deserved the three points as they held too much firepower for their opponents who struggled to contain the quick forays of Pembroke’s trident Austin Maltz, Gibson Bardsley and Kyle O’Brien.

In fact, Pembroke should have been out of sight by the hour mark but failed to convert a series of chances and in the end they just did enough to hold on for the three points that lifted them to the top of the standings, level with Valletta.

Still Muscat will be concerned by his team’s poor defending that gifted the Saints with three goals and will surely put the issue on top of his agenda during the international break as he looks to maintain his team’s bright start in their debut among the elite.

Muscat resisted the temptation of giving new signing Leighton Grech a starting berth as the speedy winger, who joined from Qormi in midweek, was named among the substitutes. Ariel Laudisi was restored to the starting formation after recovering from an ankle injury.

St Andrew’s confirmed the same players who figured in the 3-0 defeat to Valletta last week.

Pembroke took the ground running and inside the opening two minutes they were already ahead.

Bardsley controlled the ball inside the area and released Maltz who hit a rasping drive that gave St Andrew’s goalkeeper Diego Rossetto no chance to stop.

The Saints were stunned and they almost conceded again when Laudisi made headway on the right before picking Maltz whose shot on the turn finished just over.

Pembroke continued to create chances and on 14 minutes Laudisi stormed into the Saints’ box but his shot flew over.

A second goal for Pembroke looked inevitable and it duly arrived on 19 minutes when Maltz profited from a Jordan Williams indecision to hammer the ball past a stranded Rossetto.

St Andrew’s were handed a lifeline on the half hour when from a corner Pembroke keeper Mario Muscat misjudged Williams’s delivery and in came Mariglen Sehitaj who headed the ball over the goalline despite Zoran Levnaic’s attempt to clear.

Pembroke were quick to regain the initiative though and five minutes from the break they restored their two-goal lead. Bardsley showed some deft footwork to turn past Nicola Andreis and plant the ball inside the net.

On the restart, Wayne Attard, the St Andrew’s coach, withdrew Nick Ghio and introduced Clyde Cumbo in an attempt to contain Laudisi’s threat on the left flank.

Pembroke continued to hold the initiative and they almost added a fourth after another slick move. Gustavo Villalobos picked Bardsley who sped into the area before teeing up the unmarked Kyle O’Brien who fired wide with only Rossetto to beat.

On 62 minutes the Italian goalkeeper showed some fine reflexes to tip over Bardsley downward header following a Paltemio Barbetti corner.

Three minutes later Bardsley put Alex Cini clear but the Pembroke wingback lost his balance when trying to round Rossetto and the chance went abegging.

Pembroke were left to rue these missed chances as on 68 minutes Matthew Guillaumier took a quick free-kick towards Chris De Nguidjol and the striker hit a low shot past Muscat.

From the kick-off, Pembroke almost made it 4-2 but O’Brien’s thumping drive hit the upright.

But the American midfielder was not to be denied as 14 minutes from time he picked a short clearance and hit a spectacular half volley that flew into the top corner of Rossetto’s goal.

A nervous finale was to follow when Saints substitute Matteo Desira Buttigieg was left un-marked to head past keeper Muscat. But his goal came too late as Pembroke held on for the win.

Pembroke Athleta
M. Muscat-5, K. O’Brien-7.5, G. Villalobos-5 (88 P.P. Sammut), G. Bardsley-6.5 (80 S. Arab), A. Maltz-8, L. Cutajar-6, Z. Levnaic-6, A. Laudisi-6 (73 L. Grech), A. Cini-6, P. Barbetti-7, O. Bugeja-6.

St Andrew’s
D. Rossetto-5, N. Ghio-4 (46 C. Cumbo-5), J. Williams-5, M. Sehitaj-6, N. Andreis-5, N. Vella Petroni-5, M. Guillaumier-5, M. Grima-5 (72 M. Desira Buttigieg), L. Cosmai-5, J. Farrugia-5.5, C. De Nguidjol-5.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Villalobos, Andrejis, Levnaic.

BOV player of the match: Austin Maltz (Pembroke Athleta).