Vittoriosa Stars 1
Balzan Youths 0

Vittoriosa Stars beat direct promotion rivals Balzan Youths to move up to second place, four points behind leaders Marsaxlokk and two ahead of third-placed Balzan and St George's with two games to go.

Marsaxlokk only need a draw from their match against San Ġwann this evening to secure their return to the Premier League.

The first half of yesterday's crunch match was rather quiet. Balzan started well but lost their momentum as the minutes rolled by. After 15 minutes, Balzan's Renie Forace just missed the target following an Ivan Zammit through-ball.

Six minutes later, Bjorn Bondin tried his luck from just inside the area with the ball finishing over.

Vittoriosa finally threatened on 34 minutes when Henry Makinwa powered his way into the Balzan box but out came goalkeeper Frederick Tabone to block his run.

Just before the break, Beppe Muscat's half-volley finished inches wide.

On resumption, the game opened up with Vittoriosa starting to dictate matters. Eight minutes into the second half, Makinwa's pace again proved too much for Balzan but Zammit intercepted the Nigerian's shot.

Seven minutes later, Vittoriosa scored what proved to be the winner. Chitescu found Muscat whose first-time effort had the better of Tabone.

Balzan looked jaded and three minutes later, Chitescu came very close to a second goal for Vittoriosa but his free-kick was cleared off the line by Zammit.

With 14 minutes left, Clayton Micallef's cross flew to Johann Spiteri whose header was saved by Tabone.

Eight minutes from time, Zammit, unmarked, was foiled by Bonello but a minute later the veteran had the chance to make amends when Justin Camilleri bundled Agius in the box. From the penalty, Zammit fired wide.

Two minutes from the end, Vittoriosa's Kurt Formosa, who had just come on for Chitescu, was sent off for a poor tackle. In injury time, Balzan were also reduced to 10 men when Roderick Farrugia was red-carded for a foul on Michael Borg Olivier.

Vittoriosa: H. Bonello, J. Camilleri, P. Aquilina, B. Bonnici, Jeffrey Chetcuti, J. Spiteri, B. Muscat, C. Micallef, L. Chitescu (K. Formosa), H. Makinwa (M. Borg Olivier), Joseph Chetcuti (P. Camilleri).

Balzan: F. Tabone, I. Zammit (L. Micallef), R. Forace, R. Farrugia, J. Francica, C. Micallef, M. Sciortino (D. Fenech), B. Bondin, A. Agius, P. Anizoba, S. Shead.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Man of the match: Beppe Muscat (Vittoriosa).

Mqabba 4
St Patrick 0

Mqabba emphatically won their relegation clash with St Patrick to go four points clear of their struggling opponents whose lack of firepower hampered their efforts yesterday.

Mqabba had gone close after 11 minutes when John Paul Muscat picked the ball in the middle, dribbled past three defenders only to be blocked by the alert James Mercieca.

Clive Mizzi's team remained the better side. They took the lead after 21 minutes when Mauro Bonnici produced a bold drive that gave the Saints custodian no chance.

St Patrick tried to react but two efforts from Thomas Caruana, the first from just inside the box and the second from around 35 metres, went just wide.

Mqabba went 2-0 ahead just before the break when Martin Anastasi guided an excellent pass to Mark Gauci who fired home despite being closely marked by a defender.

Muscat should have put the game to bed five minutes into the second half when he again sprinted well into the St Patrick area and beat Mercieca on the run but his shot hit the post.

The game was as good as over when, on 64 minutes, substitute Vilson Caushi, who had been on the field for just 10 minutes, dribbled past three players and elegantly flicked past Mercieca.

Four minutes later, Mqabba made it 4-0 when Muscat shot home after reaching Sean Magro's cross.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, P. Grima, P. Borg, S. Magro, M. Gauci, C. Calleja (V. Caushi), J. P. Muscat, E. Navarro (M.A. Psaila), J. Debattista, M. Anastasi (O. Grech).

St Patrick: J. Mercieca, T. Farrugia, A. Ellul (G. Failla), D. Gauci, M. Fleri Soler, S. Zerafa, L. Sciberras, J. Farrugia (B. Bugeja), S. Dimech, D. Milovanovic, T. Caruana (R. Cassar).

Referee: Sammy Attard.

Man of the match: John Paul Muscat (Mqabba).

Playing today

Tedesco Stadium: 7 p.m. San Ġwann vs Marsaxlokk.