Senglea Athletic collected a precious point in the battle against relegation as they held Floriana in a goalless draw at the National Stadium on Saturday. A draw which puts Paolo Favaretto’s side on the 23 point mark, five ahead of Tarxien and six ahead of St. Andrews.

Floriana, on the other hand, remain fifth. This was the third draw in fourth matches and hopes of securing a place in the UEFA Europa League this summer are now even smaller.

Goal-scoring opportunities throughout the ninety minutes were few and it was no surprise that neither side managed to break the deadlock. Following a quiet start, Senglea’s Braian Volpini went close with a freekick from the right which was deflected into a corner. Eight minutes later, Maurizio Vella’s powerful drive was neutralised by Matthew Farrugia.

SENGLEA Matthew Farrugia, Jonathan Bondin, Steve Bonnici, Sergio Uyi, Ian Azzopardi, Matias Garcia, Hubert Vella, Ivan Paz, Braian Volpini, Terence Vella (90′ Gregori de Sousa Braga), Peter Paul Sammut (86′ Gonzalo Nicolas Virano).
Subs not used: Jurgen Borg, Randall Vella, Jurgen Farrugia, Josuel Spiteri, Jurgen Suda.
Coach: Paolo Favaretto

FLORIANA Ini Etim Akpan (85′ Matthew Grech), Sebastian Nayar, Enrico Pepe, Steve Pisani, Maurizio Vella, Juninho Cabral, Jurgen Pisani, Michele Paolucci (46′ Dylan Grima), Alex Cini, Mario Fontanella, Emerson Marcelina.
Subs not used: Jake Stensen, Mattia Zarb, Bradley Sciberras, Jamie Delia, Denilson Borg Castaldi.
Coach: JJ Aquilina Asst. Coach: Nicolas Chiesa

Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Assistant Referees: Luke Portelli, Mitchell Scerri
Fourth Official: Glen Tonna
Yellow Cards: Garcia, S. Pisani
BOV Player of the Match: Ivan Paz

Meanwhile at the Hibernians Stadium, a goal by Kilian Amehi on the 73rd minute gave Sliema Wanderers a narrow win over St. Andrews. The Wanderers therefore join Hibernians, at least temporarily in sixth place, leaving the Saints in relegation trouble.

The Wanderers could have taken the lead on the 18th minute when a Mathias Muchardi effort, deflected by Frank Temile, hit the crossbar. Three minutes from the end of the first half, Tano Azian hit the bar for St. Andrews with a long-distance shot.

The Saints created the better chances but against the run of play, Sliema notched the winner thanks to Kilian Amehi who placed the ball at the back of the net.

SLIEMA Glenn Zammit, Frank Temile, Edmond Agius (68′ Kilan Ameli), Michele Sansone, Nii Nortey Ashong, Stefano Bianciardi, Matias Muchardi, John Mintoff, Ricardo Calixto Correa Duarte (83′ Ryan Spiteri), Kurt Shaw, Frenci Qeros.
Subs not used: Timothy Aquilina, Lee Pisani, Gianni Brincat, Gary Muscat, Luke Borg.
Coach: John Buttigieg

ST. ANDREWS Matthew Calleja Cremona, Adrian Borg, Misael Miranda Gomez, Joseph Farrugia, Jason Vandelannoite, Matthew Gauci, Tano Azian, Kevaughn Atkinson (64′ Jacob Walker), Marcus Grima, Kemar Reid, Travis Blagrove.
Subs not used: Yenz Cini, Miguel D’Alessandro, Liam Grech, Aidan Friggieri, Malcolm Vella Vidal, Chevaughn McLaren.
Coach: Michael Woods

Referee: Etienne Mangion
Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Peter Abela
Fourth Official: Clayton Pisani
Yellow Cards: F. Qeros, A. N. Nortey (S), M. Gauci (SA)
BOV Player of the Match: Riccardo Calixto Correa Duarte