Pembroke Athleta made their promotion intentions clear with a most impressive 8-2 win over Vittoriosa Stars in one of the two BOV First Division matches in programme on Saturday. A win which puts Pembroke in second place together with Gudja and St. Andrews, two points behind leaders Gzira United. Gudja and St. Andrews, however have a game in hand.
Ariel Laudisi put Pembroke ahead on 22 minutes with Diego Pereira converting a penalty on the 38th minute to equalise. However just before half-time, Carlo Mamo made it 2-1 for Pembroke.
After the break, the game was one-sided with Jacques Scerri’s side adding another six goals. Abubakar Bello Osagie made it 3-1 three minutes in the second half and four minutes, Ayrton Azzopardi added another. Ariel Laudisi scored the fifth goal on the 58th but on the hour, Francisco Arriagada Mella scored a second goal for the Stars. However Ayrton Azzopardi made it 6-2 on the 77th with Ariel Laudisi scoring another two goals on the 83rd and the 90th.
Meanwhile Gzira United came back from one goal down to beat Zurrieq 2-1.
An own goal by Moises Avila Perez put Zurrieq ahead on the 18th but John Nwoba equalised on the 54th and Jamie Pace notched the winner on the 70th.
Gzira lead the way with 32 points, followed by Pembroke, Gudja and St. Andrews on 30, Fgura 29, Melita 26, St. George’s and Lija 25, Vittoriosa 23, Mqabba 19, Rabat 18, Msida 14, Zurrieq 11 and Birzebbuga 9.