Naxxar hold Hibernians in a goalless draw

Naxxar Lions earned a precious point in the battle against relegation as they held Hibernians in a goalless draw at the Victor Tedesco Stadium on Friday.

A draw which puts Naxxar third from bottom, one point ahead of Tarxien and one behind St. Andrews. Hibs, on the other hand, remain fifth, one point behind Birkirkara and Gzira and three ahead of Floriana.

Both sides were unable to field their best formation with the Paolites lacking the likes of Andrew Hogg, Rodolfo Soares and Bjorn Kristensen and Naxxar lacking Ryan Grech.

Goal-mouth action was quite lacking throughout the ninety minutes with the best opportunity occurring four minutes from the end of the first half when Jackson Lima’s close range header following a cross from the left by Martin Kreuzriegler was parried by Christoph Nicht.

NAXXAR Christoph Nicht, Rafael Santos Henriques Caetano, Mailson Souza Duarte Junior, Manolito Micallef, Duane Bonnici, Ryan Gilmour Cassar, Daniel Mateo Bustos, Matheus Verissimo Casarotto, Mark Fenech (90′ Daren Falzon), Rodrigo Leandro da Costa (64′ Angus Buhagiar)(90+1′ Jurgen Debono), Yuri de Jesus Messias.
Subs not used: Omar Borg, Luke Bezzina, Paul Simon Ellul, Ruben Grima.
Coach: Oliver Spiteri

HIBS Rudy Briffa, Dunstan Vella, Martin Kreuzriegler, Jorge Pereira da Silva, Jurgen Degabriele (72′ Arlindo Oliveira Neto), Clayton Failla, Johann Bezzina, Andrei Agius, Joao Moreira (15′ Giorgi Gorozia), Joseph Mbong, Jackson Lima.
Subs not used: Mario Muscat, Daniel Buckle, Timothy Tabone Desira, Rui da Gracia Gomes, David Xuereb.
Coach: Mark Miller

Referee: Stefan Pace
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Thomas Debono
Fourth Official: Malcolm Spiteri
Yellow Cards: Jackson Lima, Mailson, Rafael Santos, Failla, Bustos, Bezzina
BOV Player of the Match: Jackson Lima
Attendance: 366