NAXXAR LIONS 2 RABAT AJAX 0

Naxxar Lions easily disposed off their opponents to maintain their survival charge while Rabat have now been condemned to Division One football next season.

As expected Naxxar took the game to Rabat early on. After 11 minutes, Buhagiar crossed towards Daren Falzon but the latter fired just over. Four minutes later, Filip Stojanovic’s curling shot flew just over.

In the 24th minute, Raimi Bakare unleashed a powerful drive from 30 metres out but Velimirovic saved. Wayne Borg tested waters for Rabat with a low drive which Julian Azzopardi, Naxxar custodian pushed around the post, shy the half hour mark.

Naxxar started to pile more pressure on D’Amato men and five minutes from half-time, Velimirovic fisted away Victor Bellia’s shot.

The Lions began the second half in livelier vein and should have gone ahead just after the restart, when Stojanovic’s cross from corner was met by the unmarked Rocha da Silva but his header was somehow kept out by Velimirovic.

With Rabat struggling, Rocha da Silva profited from acres of open space down the inside-left channel before sending a perfect pass towards Buhagiar who side-footed home.

Rabat suddenly looked jittery and with the clock ticking down a Buhagiar cross looked perfect for Falzon but he failed to connect properly with a header from in front of goal after 66 minutes.

Ten minutes later, Carrillo Pendas’s excellent cross from the left was gathered by Licari but his header lacked strength to trouble Azzopardi.

The Lions had carved several chances to extend their winning margin in the second half but they were wasteful in front of goal. That was until Victor Bellia set off on a mazy run through the middle, ten minutes from time,

Before hitting a low shot behind Velimirovic to make it 2-0.