Birżebbuġa St Peter’s 3
Dingli Swallows 1

Birżebbuġa St Peter’s won their direct encounter with Dingli Swallows to move closer to safety.

Although Dingli and Mqabba still have a mathematical chance of avoiding the drop, they look doomed as they trail third-from-bottom Birżebbuġa by four and eight points respectively with only three matches left.

The game had a quiet start with both sides cautious not to concede an early goal.

After nine minutes, Vinicius Pereira Dos Santos burst into the Dingli area but his effort from an acute angle hit the side-netting.

Birżebbuġa were looking more motivated and on 13 minutes, Mead Mifsud hit poorly from inside the area following a Martin Deanov cross.

Patrick Curmi’s side went close again when Kevin Borg was foiled by young Dingli goalkeeper Dunstan Zarb who produced a fine save.

As the first half progressed, Birżebbuġa increased their tempo and, on 22 minutes, Felix Peplow’s effort finished wide.

Two minutes later, Dingli created their first chance, Reuben Vella just missing the target.

Zarb again saved Dingli in the 35th minute when stopping Mifsud’s well-hit strike. Four minutes before the break, the Saints forged ahead when, in a goalmouth melee, the ball fell to James Sammut who beat Zarb with a perfect drive.

Eight minutes into the second half, Michael Borg’s free-kick for Dingli was wide with the Saints responding through Deanov whose free-kick was saved by Zarb.

Birżebbuġa made it 2-0 on 70 minutes when Deanov beat the offside trap before hitting a low shot past Zarb.

Dingli narrowed the gap 12 minutes from time when Kane Roomes scored from close in.

The Swallows threw more men forward in search of an equaliser but were punished for leaving many gaps in defence as Peplow restored Birżebbuġa’s two-goal lead.

The Saints were in control and on the stroke of time, Deanov crossed for Sammut whose drive was saved by Zarb with the aid of the crossbar.

In stoppage time, Dingli’s Roomes was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for protests.

Birżebbuġa: I. Casha, R. Micallef, R. Mintoff, M. Hrubsa, J. Farrugia (M. Camilleri), K. Borg, J. Sammut, F. Peplow, M. Mifsud, M. Deanov, V. Dos Santos (T. Mazzitelli).

Dingli: D. Zarb, C. Muscat, T. Pace, R. Vella (J. Anyanwu), K. Roomes, K. Formosa (J. Sapiano), J. Pace, I. Bawuah, E. Farrugia, M. Borg, L. Micallef (F. Cauchi).

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Man of the match: Martin Deanov (Birżebbuġa).

Standings