Pembroke Athleta claim another three points after winning seven-goal thriller

Pembroke Athleta registered their second win in the BOV Premier League as they defeated St. Andrews by the odd goal in seven in a clash between the two newly-promoted sides at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Saturday.

For St. Andrews, on the other hand, this was the second defeat in as many matches.

New Pembroke recruit Leighton Grech, who joined the club from Qormi, made his debut when he was included as a substitute late in the game.

Pembroke had a perfect start, taking the lead on the 3rd minute when Gibson Bardsley served Austin Martz who advanced before hitting low past Rossetto.

Austin Martz doubled the score on the 19th with a powerful drive after taking advantage of a defensive error.

St. Andrews pulled one bak on the half-hour through Mariglen Sehitaj who headed the ball home following a corner.

However nine minutes later, Pembroke regained a two goal-lead thanks to Gibson Bardsley who rounded Nicola Andreis before hitting homefrom inside the area.

Twenty-four minutes in the second half, the Saints scored a second goal thanks to Chris De Nguidjol following a Desira Buttigieg freekick.

Pembroke went 4-2 ahead seven minutes later with a Kyle O’Brien first-time effort following a short clearance by the Saints’ rear-guard.

One minute from time, substitute Matteo Desira Buttigieg narrowed the gap for St. Andrews heading home off a cross from the right by Jordan Williams.

PEMBROKE Mario Muscat, Kyle O’Brien, Gustavo Villalobos (88′ Peter Paul Sammut), Gibson Bardsley (81′ Siraj Arab Eddin), Austin Martz, Louis Cutajar, Zoran Levnajic, Ariel Laudisi (73′ Leighton Grech), Alex Cini, Paltemio Barbetti, Owen Bugeja.
Subs not used: Matthew Camilleri, Miguel Attard, Geoffrey Spiteri, Tyron Fenech.
Coach: Winston Muscat

ST. ANDREWS Diego Rosetto, Nick Ghio (45′ Clyde Cumbo), Jordan Williams, Mariglen Sehitaj, Nicola Andreis, Nicky Vella Petroni (45′ Dale Camilleri), Matthew Guilluamier, Michael Grima (72′ Matteo Desira Buttigieg), Luca Cosmai, Joseph Farrugia, Chris De Nguidjol.
Subs not used: Kris Calleja, Josh Parry, Michael Johnson, Jacob Walker.
Coach: Wayne Attard

Referee: Marco Borg
Assistant Referees: Duncan Sultana, Ryan Aquilina
Fourth Official: Glenn Tonna
Yellow Cards: Villalobos, Andreis, Levnajic
BOV Player of the Match: Austin Martz