Vittoriosa Stars 1
San Gwann 2

San Ġwann have given their hopes of retaining their Division One status a boost when they beat Vittoriosa Stars, yesterday.

Goalkeeper Matthew Towns turned out to be the Saints hero after he saved a Steven Meilaq injury- time penalty and ensure his team notched their third win of the season that move them five points adrift off safety.

Vittoriosa created the first chance on seven minutes when Ryan Previ’s shot finished just over while at the other end David Henry’s effort was pushed away by James Mercieca.

The Saints took the lead on 20 minutes when Nezar Abouhaisa drilled the ball home from close in.

But Vittoriosa took just three minutes to draw level when Liam Gauci’s shot on the turn had the better of Towns.

San Ġwann regained their lead on 35 minutes. Henry retrieved possession on the edge of the area and after moving past a defender he stroked the ball past Mercieca.

The Saints maintained the initiative on the restart and on 54 minutes they could have put the game to bed when in a swift break Bruno Abemanga fed Zack Bowman who sped into the area but fired wide.

Vittoriosa could have saved the match in stoppage time when Meilaq was brought down in the area by Josuael Azzopardi and a penalty was awarded.

But from the spot, Meilak’s effort was palmed away by Towns as San Ġwann held on for the win.

Vittoriosa Stars: J. Mercieca, R. Previ, C. Spiteri (S. Meilak), A. Galea, D. Fava, M. Barbara, G. Sultana (J. Galea), L. Gauci (T. Nasiti), D. Pisani, A. Carabott, P. Mrvic.

San Ġwann: M. Towns, R. Zammit, J. Azzopardi, A. Borg (A. Cachia), N. Muscat, B. Abemanga Bati, D. Henry (I. Zammit), M. Attard, J. Tanti, Z. Bowman, N. Abouhaisa (G. Agius).

Referee: Etienne Mangion.

Man of the match: Matthew Towns (San Ġwann).