NAXXAR LIONS 1; PEMBROKE ATHLETA 5

The Lions took the lead after 26 minutes but their hopes were dashed when Pembroke struck twice around half-time. Angus Buhagiar’s sending off in the 66 minute spelt the end of Naxxar’s chances to rescue a point.

After 12 minutes, Paltemio Barbetti surprised Naxxar with a short freekick towards Martz who bent his effort around a wall of defenders but he found the young Naxxar goalkeeper Luca Pecorella up to task as he produced a brilliant save to block the ball.

Eight minutes later, Leighton Grech flashed in on the counter-attack and tried to beat Pecorella, at the far post, narrowly missing the target.

Midway through the first half, Naxxar found enough space to break the deadlock against the run of play. Sead Hadzibulic fed Carlos Cardozo who did well to beat his marker and slot the ball behind Matthew Farrugia, the Pembroke goalkeeper.

The raptures were almost hastily silenced by Pembroke who were quick to pounce on the offensive but Martz planted his low drive against the post.

But two minutes from half-time, the Athleta had the ball into the net in a slick move that caught the Lions defence off guard. Gustavo Villalobos slotted the ball towards American fellow midfielder Kyle O’Brien who extended his foot to slot the ball in.

Soon after the break, Pembroke dealt their opponents a cold shower. Martz unleashed a testing shot which was blocked by Pecorella, Grech pounced on the rebound to hit a low shot into the far corner of the net.

After 67 minutes, the Athleta piled on the agony for the dispirited Naxxar as Ariel Laudisi slotted the ball towards Grech who sprinted the onrushing goalkeeper but was hauled down by Angus Buhagiar before depositing the ball into the net. Buhagiar was shown a straight red and from the penalty, Villalobos sent Pecorella the wrong way.

Ten minutes later, Naxxar’s guardian was beaten again. Villalobos persisted on the edge of the penalty area as he outpaced his marker before firing an angled shot behind Pecorella.

Substitute Lydon Micallef added more gloss to his team’s success when he fired in a fifth goal seven minutes from time.

Late in the game, Farrugia earned his corn for Pembroke with a fine save to deny Duane Bonnici, Naxxar’s most enterprising player after the break.