Żebbuġ Rangers 4
Żejtun Corinthians 1
Żebbuġ Rangers need three more points to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Yesterday, they cruised to a 4-1 win over the relegation-threatened Żejtun Corinthians who remain second from bottom.
The only team that still have a mathematical chance of overhauling Żebbuġ are Melita but if the Rangers beat St Andrew’s on Sunday, they will accomplish their mission.
Żebbuġ dominated from start to finish yesterday. They couldn’t have had a better start, going ahead inside the opening minute when John Nwoba’s fierce drive had the better of Erikson Aga, the Żejtun goalkeeper.
Żebbuġ continued to push forward. Mauricio Britto’s drive from the edge of the area just missed the target.
Nwoba was also close with another fine shot while, on 11 minutes, Clifford Gauci prod-uced a first-time effort from outside the area but Aga saved for a corner.
In the 14th minute, Żejtun finally created a chance when Gers Delia found Aleksandrs Cekulajevs whose effort from a good position finished just over the crossbar.
On 27 minutes, it was Żebbuġ who threatened again when Nwoba crossed to Britto whose first-time effort was deflected for a corner by a defender.
Żebbuġ made it 2-0 on 34 minutes. Anderson Mendes Ribeiro set up Alan Tabone who was floored in the penalty area by goalkeeper Aga who was shown the red card.
Tabone picked himself up to score from the penalty spot. The game did not change much with another Nwoba effort saved by Roderick Debattista, Żejtun’s reserve goalkeeper.
After half-time, Żebbuġ remained on top, going close with efforts from Tabone and Britto. They extended their lead when Britto’s header, from Nwoba’s cross, sailed past Debattista.
Żebbuġ made it 4-0 on the hour when Matthew Gauci beat Debattista with a low shot from outside the area.
With the game as good as over, Żejtun scored a consolation goal in injury time when, following a melee inside the box, Cekulajevs hit home after his first effort had been parried away by Jeffrey Farrugia.
Żebbuġ: J. Farrugia, L. Galea, Y. Camilleri, R. Mandic, A. Tabone (B. Chetcuti), M. Gauci, A. Ribeiro (D. Da Silva Silveira), C. Gauci, T. Paris (L.J. Agius), M. Britto, J. Nwoba.
Żejtun: E. Aga, S. Aquilina, R. Previ, K. Abela, C. Magro, J. Spiteri, R. Farrugia (J. Galea), D. Borg (R. Debattista), G. Delia, A. Cekulajevs, I. Briffa (A. Abela).
Referee: Paul Apap.
Man of the match: John Nwoba (Żebbuġ Rangers).