St. Andrews register first win

After earning their first point in a draw with Hibernians last week, St. Andrews registered their first win as they defeated Naxxar Lions 1-0 at the Hibernians Stadium on Friday.

For Naxxar, this was a highly disappointing result following last week’s comfortable 5-0 win over Qormi.

Beninese striker Michel Wisdom Salomon Aka scored the all-important goal for Jose Borg’s side on the 13th minute when served by Matteo Desira Buttigieg.

Jonatan Perez Cuesta almost doubled the score for the Saints before half time but his attemt hit the woodwork and five minutes from time, it was Naxxar’s turn to hit the posts with a Duane Bonnici effort.

Just before the final whistle, Naxxar were reduced to ten men after Ryan Grech was sent off following a rough tackle on an opponent.

NAXXAR Julian Azzopardi, Andrew Scicluna, Ryan Grech, Eduardo Vallecillo Casado, Demba Toure, Jose Angel Godar Pereira, Ishmael Grech, David Fenech (70′ Duane Bonnici), Ennio Hamutenya, Nikola Tasic (83′ Daren Falzon), Xhoeijan Cekaj (59′ Jurgen Debono).
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Alvaro Hungria Rosero, Mark Fenech, Adam Pace.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

ST. ANDREWS Jake Galea, Enmy Manuel Pena Beltre, Dale Camilleri, Bong Won Che, Jonatan Perez Cuesta (84′ Liam Grech), Matteo Desira Buttigieg (66′ Lucky Victor Oseghale), Michel Salomon Wisdom Aka, Joseph Farrugia, Chinatu Francis Onwudinjo, Michael Johnson, Eloy Edu Nkene.
Subs not used: Dorian Bugeja, Jacob Walker, Clyde Cumbo, Ryan Sammut, Jamie Magri Overend.
Coach: Jose Borg

Referee: Esther Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Martin Borg
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Vallecillo, Perez Cuesta, Cekaj, Scicluna
Red Cards: 90′ Ryan Grech
Scorers: 15′ Salomon Wisdom
BOV Player of the Match: Jonatan Perez Cuesta

Meanwhile at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, Tarxien Rainbows found no difficulty in beating Qormi 4-0.

For Qormi, this was the sixth consecutive defeat which leaves them second from bottom on nine points.

The Rainbows welcomed back Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Carlos Hevia Menendez and Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos while Spanish midfielder Sergio Prendes made his first appearance after joining the club last week.

Tarxien took the lead on the 18th minute through Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos who received an assist by Carlos Hevia Menendez from the right and slotted the ball past the Qormi cutsodian.

The Rainbows doubled the score on the 55th when Ayrton Azzopardi received a pass on the right and controlled the ball before beating Andreas Vella with a fine shot from just inside the area.

Carlos Hevia Menendez added another on the 65th when he received a pass by Montebello from the right and hit hard past the Qormi custodian.

Twelve minutes from time, Kurt Magro handled the ball inside the area following a cross by Sergio Prendes; referee Philip Farrugia ordered a penalty and Luke Montebello made no mistake from the penalty spot.

TARXIEN Andrea Cassar, Ebiabowei Baker, Bruno Giglio de Oliveira, Triston Caruana, Brandon Muscat, Ayrton Azzopardi (67′ John Mintoff), Carlos Hevia Menendez (83′ Ryan Spiteri), Luke Montebello, Sergio Fernandez Prendes, Alex da Paixao Alves (71′ Alex Nilsson), Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos.
Subs not used: Sean Mintoff, Manuel Caruana, Timothy Tabone Desira, Matthew Tabone, John Mintoff.
Coach: Jacques Scerri

QORMI Andreas Vella, Ousmane Sidibe, Noah Olawole Ojuola, Alessio Cassar, Clifford Gauci, Ryan Micallef (73′ Pietro Viggiani), Djamel Leeflang, Yannick Yankam, Gillmore Azzopardi, Kurt Magro (79′ Joshua Barbara), Terence Vella (83′ Immy Micallef).
Subs not used: Jean Matthias Vella, Edward Falzon, Shamison Zammit, Clint Barbara.
Coach: Johann Zammit

Referee: Philip Farrugia
Assistant Referees: Thomas Debono, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Marco Borg
Yellow Cards: Magro, Baker
Scorers: 18′ Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos, 55′ Ayrton Azzopardi, 65′ Carlos Hevia Menendez, 79′ Luke Montebello
BOV Player of the Match: Carlos Hevia Menendez