Derby tonic for Naxxar Lions

Naxxar Lions brought their negative run to an end as they returned to winning ways, defeating rivals Mosta 2-1 in the derby at the Hibernians Stadium.

This first win for Naxxar Lions after six consecutive defeats puts Clive Mizzi’s side in tenth place, three points clear of St. Andrews. Mosta, on the other hand, are now eighth after suffering the fifth defeat in seven matches.

Mosta could have taken the lead on the 33rd minute when off an assist by Godwin Mensha, Kyle Frendo was unlucky to hit the crossbar.

However Naxxar managed to forge ahead five minutes from the end of the first half when off a corner by Daren Falzon, there was a short clearance and the ball reached Eduardo Vallecillo Casado who slammed the ball home from close range.

On the 62nd, Mosta missed an incredible chance as Kyle Frendo failed to connect off an inviting pass by Godwin Mensha, served by James Brincat.

Naxxar doubled the score on the 66th minute through David Fenech who received an assist from the right by Daren Falzon and tapped the ball home from close.

Five minutes from time, Mosta pulled one back thanks to substitute Zachary Brincat whose diagonal shot from the right beat goalkeeper Alberto Gallinetta.

NAXXAR Alberto Gallinetta, Andrew Scicluna, Ryan Grech, Eduardo Vallecillo Casado, Daren Falzon (76′ Demba Toure), Jose Angel Godar Pereira, David Fenech (92′ Jurgen Debono), Angus Buhagiar, Ennio Matthews Hamutenya, Mark Fenech (89′ Alvaro Javier Hungria Rosero), Nikola Tasic.
Subs not used: Luke Pecorella, Joel Ellul, Ryan Mercieca, Adam Pace.
Coach: Clive Mizzi

MOSTA Omar Borg, Fatai Alabi (72′ Lyden Micallef), Edile Micheletti, James Brincat, Osa Guobadia, Kyle Frendo (65′ Godwin Aounduna Zenke), Jonas Rodriguez Ekani, Godwin Mensha, Tyrone Farrugia, Onyekachi Okonkwo (54′ Zachary Brincat), Adrian Borg.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Neil Frendo, Gordon Saliba, Dexter Xuereb.
Assistant Coach: Ivan Zammit

Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Martin Borg
Fourth Official: Clayton Pisani
Yellow Cards: Frendo, Z. Brincat, Toure, Vallecillo
Scorers: 40′ Eduardo Vallecillo, 66′ David Fenech, 85′ Zachary Brincat
BOV Player of the Match: David Fenech
Attendance: 1,346

Meanwhile a goal by Montenegrin striker Aleksandar Vujacic gave Balzan a narrow win over St. Andrews at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Balzan therefore maintain he challenge for a place in the UEFA Europa League this summer.

On the other hand, this third consecutive defeat for St. Andrews leaves them second from bottom, three points behind tenth-placed Naxxar.

Balzan scored the all-important goal on the 69th minute when off a cross by Justin Grioli, Lydon MIcallef headed the ball in the direction of Aleksandar Vujacic who headed home from close range.

BALZAN Ivan Janjusevic, Justin Grioli, Paul Fenech, Steve Bezzina, Alfred Effiong (90’ Sean Cipriott), Clive Brincat, Luke Sciberras (63’ Alan Da Silva Souza), Alexander Vujacic, Lydon Micallef (71’ Samir Arab), Elkin Orlando Serrano Valero, Dylan Grima.
Subs: Valerio Senatore, Maxim Fosca, Juan Corbolan, Jamie Zerafa.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

ST. ANDREWS Jake Galea, Emmy Manuel Pena Beltre, Bong Won Che, Chinatu Francis Onwudinjo, Michael Johnson, Liam Grech, Joseph Farrugia, Jonatan Perez Cuesta, Matteo Desira Buttigieg (77’ Lucky Victor Oseghale), Kyrian Nwoko, Michel Salomon Wisdom.
Subs not used: Dorian Bugeja, Jacob Walker, Ryan Sammut, Nicholas Bradshaw, Jamie Magri Overand, Wade Moodley.
Coach: Jose Borg

Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Sammy Attard
Fourth Official: Fyodor Zammit
Yellow cards Brincat, Effiong, Fenech, Wisdom
Scorers: 69’ Alexander Vujacic
BOV Player of the Match: Alfred Effiong
Attendance at the Victor Tedesco Stadium: 298

Renato Vella reporting from the Victor Tedesco Stadium