Naxxar Lions 2
Żejtun Corinthians 1

Naxxar Lions dealt a blow to Żejtun Corinthians’ promotion aspirations after beating their rivals 2-1.

With this win, the Lions are now in a comfortable mid-table position while Żejtun remain fourth on 30 points, three adrift of second-placed Melita who have a game in hand.

The Lions nosed ahead on 14 minutes when Darren Falzon’s magnificent free-kick sailed into the top-right corner, giving Żejtun goalkeeper Ranier Farrugia no chance.

Two minutes later, Żejtun nearly levelled matters as Kenneth Abela’s header, from an Edward Azzopardi free-kick, was brilliantly tipped away for a corner by Justin Spiteri.

Żejtun pushed more men forward and it came as no surprise when they drew level on 26 minutes. Abela headed home from Andre Farrugia’s corner.

The Corinthians’ joy was short-lived as four minutes later, Naxxar regained the lead. Vince Camilleri brought down Andre Rocha Da Silva in the area and the Brazilian picked himself up to beat Farrugia from the spot.

On the stroke of half-time, Żejtun came close to an equaliser when Abela ran into the box but opted to shoot instead of crossing as Spiteri saved for a corner. Gers Delia then drove wide.

On the changeover, Azzopardi’s rocket strike from just outside the area was pushed away by Spiteri.

Four minutes later, Naxxar’s Hallison Lima Siqueira played a good one-two with Falzon but the latter fired wide from just outside the area.

With 20 minutes to go, referee Alan Mario Sant dismissed Żejtun substitute Ryan Cauchi for dissent.

Nine minutes from time, it was Spiteri who twice rescued his team. After saving Delia’s fierce effort, the Naxxar goalkeeper made an acrobatic save to keep out Magro’s chip.

At the death, Siqueira was unlucky not to seal it for Naxxar but his drive from Victor Bellia’s cross missed the target by a whisker.

Naxxar: J. Spiteri, A. Farrugia, L. Micallef, A. Attard, R. Schembri, H. De Lima Siqueira, J. Debono, V. Bellia, M. Maccari, D. Falzon (M. Del Negro) A. Da Silva (O. Agboebina).

Żejtun: R. Farrugia, A. Farrugia (J.C. Galea), C. Magro, E. Azzopardi, K. Vassallo, V. Camilleri (C. Formosa), N. Filipov, S. Magro, K. Gantchev (D. Grech), K. Abela, G. Delia.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Best player: Darren Falzon (Naxxar Lions).

Standings