Naxxar Lions and Vittoriosa Stars shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in a clash between the two newly-promoted sides at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

Despite having a player sent off after half-an-hour, Naxxar managed to take the lead a few minutes later but Vittoriosa notched the equaliser late in the game to take another point home.

Andrew Decesare, Marlon Briffa, Louis Cutajar and Terence Scerri were missing for Naxxar Lions. Vittoriosa, on the other hand, lacked Jean Matthias Vella apart from Sheldon Grech, Luke Vella Critien and Roberto Brincat.

Vittoriosa went close to taking the lead on the 15th with a powerful shot by Ramon dos Santos which was neutralised by Naxxar goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi with the ball hitting the upright before being cleared into safety.

Naxxar were reduced to ten men on the 32nd minute as referee Adrian Azzopardi sent off Mattia Del Negro for hitting Clive Brincat in midfield.

However, ironically, Naxxar managed to take the lead ten minutes later thanks to Jeremiah Ani who received a pass by Duane Bonnici on the left, rounded the goalkeeper and placed the ball inside the empty net.

A Marcio Teruel freekick was parried in two attempts by Azzopardi twelve minutes in the second half.

Vittoriosa equalised on 77 minutes when off a Mark Barbara corner from the right, Samir Arab headed the ball home past the Naxxar goalkeeper.

In a swift counter-attack for Naxxar, substitute Andre Rocha da Silva almost put Naxxar ahead once again on 86 mintues but his lob ended just over the bar.

NAXXAR Julian Azzopardi. Jeremiah Ani, Victor Bellia (79′ John Debono), Duane Bonnici (62′ Andre Rocha da Silva), Angus Buhagiar, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Mattia Del Negro, Pablo Doffo, Thiago Lopes de Souza, Evaldo Silva dos Santos, Ousseni Zongo.
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Gilmar da Silva Ribeiro, Jurgen Debono, Kurt Drago, Daren Falzon.
Coach: Winston Muscat

VITTORIOSA Sean Cini, Lucas Ramon dos Santos, Jose Filipe Aguiar, Marcelo Pereira, Michael Camilleri (59′ Ryan Mifsud), Samir Arab, Oscar Guerrero, Malcolm Buttigieg, Marcio Teruel, Clive Brincat (36′ Siraj Arab), Clive Spiteri.
Subs not used: Lawrence Cauchi, Justin Camilleri, Mark Barbara, Adam Spiteri, Liam Gauci.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi
Assistant Referees: Roberto Vella, Albert Borg Cardona
Additional Assistant Referees: Trustin Farrugia Cann, Philip Farrugia
Fourth Official: Alan Camilleri
Yellow Cards: M. Pereira, M. Camilleri, Siraj Arab, R. Mifsud, Samir Arab, Evaldo, A. Buhagiar, Aguiar
Red Cards: 32′ Mattia Del Negro
BOV Player of the Match: Julian Azzopardi
Scorers: 42′ Jeremiah Ani (N); 77′ Samir Arab (V)