Birżebbuġa St Peter’s 0
Marsaxlokk 2
Marsaxlokk scored a goal in each half to ease past Birżebbuġa St Peter’s for their second win of the season that lifted them to the top of the standings yesterday.
The Southerners held the edge throughout as they looked sharper upfront with Gary Caruana, Douglas Sa Silva Silveira and Rupert Mangion running the show.
It was Birżebbuġa who threatened first when Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Omar Borg blocked Paul Camilleri’s shot on nine minutes.
Marsaxlokk’s first attempt at goal arrived on 15 minutes when Silveira’s cross found the Mark Brincat who shot straight into the hands of goalkeeper Ivan Casha.
On 20 minutes, Vinicius Pereira Dos Santos should have put his team ahead but hit over from close in.
From then on the match produced little scoring opportunites and the next chance arrived five minutes from the break when Da Silva Silveira’s shot finished wide.
Marsaxlokk took the lead a minute before the break when from a Silveira free-kick, Clarke’s backheader flew into the net.
The southerners maintained the initiative on the restart but for all their possession they rarely threatened the Birżebbuġa goal.
On 77 minutes Schneider’s shot was blocked by Borg.
Caruana almost double Marsaxlokk’s lead minutes later but Caruana’s shot finished just over.
Birżebbuġa came close to an equaliser on 90 minutes when Borg somehow kept out Mifsud’s header.
Here, the southerners broke forward andSilveira burst into the area, rounded Casha before serving the unmarked Caruana who deposited into an empty net.
Birżebbuġa: I. Casha; K. Borg (M. Pullicino), J. Farrugia, K. Spiteri, F. Schneider, F. Peplow, P. Camilleri (M. Camilleri) G. Tant (R. Duca)i, V. Pereira Dos Santos, M.Mifsud, T. Mazzitelli.
Marsaxlokk: O. Borg, R. Mifsud, M. Brincat, K. Scicluna, M. Clarke, R. Mangion, W. Chircop (J.C. Vella), T. Farrugia (P. Paris), G. Caruana, D. Grech, D. Da Silva Silveira.
Referee: Karl Frendo Cumbo.
Man of the match: Gary Caruana (Marsaxlokk).
Naxxar Lions 2
Gzira United 2
Gżira United picked up their first point of the season after coming back from behind twice to take a point against Naxxar Lions.
Striker Alfred Effiong turned out to be Gżira’s protagonist as the Nigerian striker put up an energetic display which was capped with a late equaliser for his team.
The first half turned out to be a drab affair with few scoring chances.
Naxxar scored in their first attempt at goal on 27 minutes.
Gżira goalkeeper Simon Agius charge out of his goal to control the ball near the corner flag but was dispossessed by Anthony Ewurum who quickly picked the unmarked Darren Falzon who stabbed home.
The Maroons drew level on the stroke of half-time when Meilak headed home from a Caio cross.
Naxxar regained the lead on 57 minutes. Karl Saliba handled the ball inside the area and Andre Rocha Da Silva blasted from the spot.
On 63 minutes, Effiong’s lob hit the bar and from the rebound Meilak’s shot was deviated to a corner.
However, the Maroons’ efforts were rewarded on 69 minutes when Effiong scored directly from a free-kick to give his team a merited point.
Naxxar: J. Azzopardi; L. Micallef, J. Vella, M. Del Negro, S. Eboh, V. Bellia P. Doffo, A. Rocha Da Silva (I. Serino Junior), A. Ewurun, D. Falzon, J. Debono (G. Camilleri).
Gżira: S. Agius, K. Cassar, P. Grima, A. White, J. Chetcuti, D. Cachia, J. Hussey, R. Deguara (Y. Tonna), A. Effiong, C. Garcia Suguino (S. Shead), S. Meilak.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Man of the Match: Alfred Effiong (Gzira United).
Police Probe
Informed sources yesterday told The Times that police had opened an investigation and interrogated a few individuals after suspicions of match-fixing in the lead-up to the match between Gżira and Naxxar.
Nothing official emerged from the two clubs, who are set to challenge for promotion this season.
Rupert Mangion launching a Marsaxlokk attack yesterday. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier