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Naxxar Lions 1 (Boris Odwong)
Zejtun Corinthians 0
MATCH REPORT
Naxxar Lions registered their first win of the season yesterday, edging Zejtun Corinthians 1-0 to dent their rivals’ promotion aspirations.
This clash attracted a sizeable crowd as it pitted together two adversaries whose rivalry stemmed mainly from last season’s campaign in Division Two.
Zejtun had keeper Ranier Farrugia in fine form but his contribution alone was not enough for them to avoid defeat as they also had Nikolay Filipov sent off.
It was Naxxar who started the game on the offensive, going close through shots from Hallison de Lima Sequeira and Edilson Fiori dos Santos.
Just before the break Zejtun could have taken the lead but Kenneth Abela hit just wide after a good move by Gers Delia.
Two minutes into the second half, John Debono tried his luck with the shot taking a deflection off Charlo Magro who nearly deceived Farrugia in goal. Boris Odwong then beat the offside trap but his shot was blocked by the Zejtun keeper.
The Lions continued to play the better football. Darren Falzon was unlucky to see his shot smack against the bar but 16 minutes from time Odwong flashed in from nowhere to slot the ball home past a static Corinthians defence.
A minute later Zejtun suffered another blow when they had Filipov sent off for a second yellow card.
Despite their numerical handi-cap the Corinthians went all out in search of an equaliser but Edward Azzopardi’s shot sailed over the bar and a Matthew Borg header was cleared over the line by Lydon Micallef.
Naxxar L.: L.J. Spiteri, V. Bellia, J. Debono, D. Falzon, A. Farrugia, R. Schembri, L. Micallef, A. Attard, H. de Lima Siqueira (M. Del Negro), E. Fiori Dos Santos, B. Odwong.
DZejtun C.:: R. Farrugia, K. Vassallo (V. Camilleri), M. Borg, C. Magro, E. Azzopardi, J. Abela, R. Cauchi (L. Micallef), N. Filipov, K. Ganchev (J. Cachia), G. Delia, K. Abela.
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
Man of the match: Ranier Farrugia (Zejtun Corinthians).
Article Source: Times Of Malta
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