Senglea edge closer to safety

Senglea Athletic moved to just one point away from securing their Premier League status as they defeated Mosta 5-2 at the Centenary Stadium on Friday. An important win for Senglea in a direct clash between two teams who were lying just outside the relegation zone.

This victory enabled Paolo Favaretto’s side to move nine points clear of St. Andrews who lie third from bottom with three games to go. Mosta, on the other hand, remain in danger as they lie five points ahead of Tarxien, six ahead of St. Andrews and seven ahead of Naxxar. This weekend, Tarxien face leaders Balzan, St. Andrews meet relegated side Lija while Naxxar take on Gzira.

Senglea took the lead on the 19th minute thanks to Augusto Rene Caseres who hit home from close range after that shots by Matias Garcia and Gonzalo Nicolas Virano were blocked by Tyrone Farrugia.

Mosta equalised six minutes later thanks to Damir Bartulovic who had a header, off a Thomas Veronese freekick, cleared by a defender but then beat goalkeeper Matthew Farrugia with a fine shot from the right.

Two minutes from the end of the first half, Senglea regained the lead thanks to Gonzalo Nicolas Virano who hit home from close range after the Mosta goalkeeper saved partially a Terence Vella effort from outside the area.

Eleven minutes in the second half, Gonzalo Virano made it 3-1 with a shot from outside the area which beat the helpless Andreas Vella.

Tyrone Farrugia reduced the gap on the 79th minute with a fine effort from the edge of the area, slotting the ball past Matthew Farrugia, when served from the right.

However six minutes from time, Senglea regained a two-goal lead thanks to Terence Vella who controlled a pass by Virano before hitting past Andreas Vella.

A minute later, Peter Paul Sammut made it 5-2 when he had a first attempt blocked by Vella before hitting home from an angled position.

SENGLEA Matthew Farrugia, Jonathan Bondin (87’ Randall Vella), Steve Bonnici, Sergio Uyi, Ian Azzopardi, Matias Garcia, Gonzalo Nicolas Virano (89’ Gregori Braga), Ivan Edgardo Paz, Augusto Rene Caseres (75’ Hubert Vella), Terence Vella, Peter Paul Sammut.

MOSTA Andreas Vella, Gennaro Trovade (79’ Jan Tanti), Emmanuel Akwa dei Agyemang (69’ Giovanni Nuti), Thomas Veronese, Kyle Frendo, Davide Mansi, Tyrone Farrugia, Moussa Soare (61’ Zach Brincat), Dexter Xuereb, Kurt Magro, Damir Bartulovic.

Referee: Mario Apap
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Roberto Vella
Fourth Official: Sandro Spiteri
Yellow Cards: T. Farrugia, Z. Brincat
BOV Player of the Match: Gonzalo Nicolas Virano
Attendance: 185