ST. ANDREWS 1
Woo Ling 7
GŻIRA UNITED 0
St. Andrews will be contesting the BOV Premier League Play-Off against the team finishing third in Division One after defeating Gzira United 1-0.
This second win on the trot was, in fact, not enough for the Saints to secure their status as Senglea Athletic claimed the three points in their clash with Birkirkara.
Knowing that only a win would enable them to make sure of avoiding automatic relegation, St. Andrews went all out in search of the three points. Boosted by Monday’s narrow win over Floriana, the Saints created several goal-scoring opportunities, leaving their opponents on the receiving end for most of the ninety minutes.
St. Andrews held the initiative right from the start. Aidan Friggieri was prominent with a low shot which was parried by Curmi after just five minutes and a few seconds later, Friggieri went close once again with another low shot which was blocked by Curmi but the ball was cleared into safety before Martin Davis could conclude.
However the Saints took the lead on seven minutes. Following an assist by Aidan Friggieri from the right, Martin Davis’ effort was blocked by the Gżira rear-guard and Matthew Woo Ling slotted the ball past Anthony Curmi.
St. Andrews maintained the pressure and Curmi blocked into a corner a close range effort by Martin Davis on 23 minutes. From the resulting corner by Farrugia, Travis Blagrove headed wide. On 34 minutes, following an inviting freekick from the left by Joseph Farrugia, three players failed to connect.
Early in the second half, the Maroons could have equalised when they were awarded a penalty by referee Darryl Agius after Sofian Domoraud was fouled inside the area on 56 minutes. However Andrew Cohen’s effort from the penalty spot was partially saved by Matthew Calleja Cremona with the ball being cleared into safety by a defender.
Matthew Woo Ling tried his luck with a long-distance shot, ending wide on 62 minutes for St. Andrews. Five minutes later, Jacob Walker tested Curmi with a shot from outside the area and on 68 minutes, a cross by Woo Ling from the left found Aidan Friggieri on the right and the latter’s first-time effort hit the crossbar. Finally the Gżira goalkeeper came to the rescue as he blocked at point blank another Martin Davis effort on 79 minutes.
Aidan Friggieri of St Andrews was named BOV Player of the Match.