Naxxar Lions 1
Cardozo 26;
Pembroke Athleta 5
O’Brien 43; Grech 47; Villalobos 67p, 77; Micallef 83;
The odds were heavily stacked against bottom-placed Naxxar Lions. Yet, the early indications were encouraging as they took the lead but their hopes were dashed when Pembroke struck twice at either side of half-time. Angus Buhagiar’s red card then spelt the end of Naxxar’s chances to rescue a point.
Few could debate the legitimacy of Pembroke’s win as Winston Muscat’s men were in total control with Austin Martz and Gustavo Villalobos in inspiring form.
Early on, Paltemio Barbetti surprised Naxxar with a short free-kick towards Martz who bent his effort around a wall of defenders but found Naxxar keeper Luke Pecorella up to task.
Leighton Grech then tried to beat Pecorella at the far post, narrowly missing the target. However, on 26 minutes Naxxar broke the deadlock against the run of play.
Sead Hadzibulic fed Richard Cardozo who did well to beat his marker and place the ball behind Matthew Farrugia, the Pembroke goalkeeper.
The raptures were almost hastily silenced by Pembroke who were quick to pounce on the offensive but Martz planted his grounder against the post.
However, two minutes from half-time, Pembroke had the ball in the net following a slick move that caught the Lions defence off guard. Villalobos released Kyle O’Brien who stretched his foot to tap the ball in.
Pembroke dealt their opponents a cold shower a few minutes after restart. Martz unleashed a testing shot that was half-parried by Pecorella, Grech pounced on the rebound and hit a low shot into the far corner.
On 67 minutes, Pembroke piled more agony on the dispirited Naxxar as Ariel Laudisi slotted the ball towards Grech who sprinted past the goalkeeper but was hauled down by Buhagiar. The Naxxar defender was shown a straight red and from the penalty Villalobos sent Pecorella the wrong way.
Ten minutes later Pecorella was beaten again when Villalobos fired an angled shot into the net.
Substitute Lyden Micallef added more gloss to Pembroke’s victory when he scored a fifth seven minutes from time.
Naxxar Lions
L. Pecorella-5, A. Scicluna-5, L. Lodetti-4, R. Cardozo-6, D. Falzon-5, S. Hadzibulic-5.5 (52 D. Bonnici-6), J. Debono-5 (53 I. Grech-5), D. Fenech-5, A. Buhagiar, E. Lattes-4, A. Tarlazis-4.
Pembroke Athleta
M. Farrugia-6, Z. Levnaic-7, A. Cini-6, R. Tanti-6, O. Bugeja-5 (83 L. Micallef), P. Barbetti-6.5, G. Villalobos-7 (80 T. Fenech), K. O’Brien-6.5, A. Martz-7, A. Laudisi-6.5, L. Grech-7 (67 S. Arab-5).
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Yellow cards: Grech, Buhagiar. Red card Buhagiar (NL) 66.
BOV player of the match: Gustavo Villalobos (Pembroke Athleta).