Vittoriosa Stars 2
St Andrew’s 1

Vittoriosa Stars edged St Andrew’s by the odd goal in three to notch their ninth win of the season.

Despite having Leighton Grech sent-off with 17 minutes to go, the Stars still managed to continue on their good form of late. St, Andrew’s, who had an average season, rarely threatened even when they were playing with a numerical advantage.

Two goals in the opening 13 minutes handed the Stars a two-goal cushion inside the opening 13 minutes.

The Saints pulled a goal back but never threatened an equaliser.

Vittoriosa took the lead in the sixth minute when Glaswegian Gary Muir received a good ball by Mark Barbara, with the Scottish striker hitting a swerving shot that flew into the net giving Daniel Balzan no chance.

Oliver Spiteri’s side continued to dominate the proceedings and it was no surprise that they made it 2-0 on 13 minutes.

Marcelo Pereira profited from some hesitant defending from Jonathan Bugeja outside the penalty area, and the Brazilian sped into the penalty box and fired the ball home.

Vittoriosa were a class above their opponents but against the run of play St Andrew’s were given a lifeline on 31 minutes when Michael Grima hit a scorcher from the edge of the area that gave no chance to goalkeeper Jean Matthias Vella.

Minutes later, Grech should have done better when following a melee inside the Saints area his shot was blocked by Balzan.

Just before the break St Andrew’s had a great chance to level the score when Valdo Alinho Goncalves sped in the area and anticipated goalkeeper Vella but his drive finished inches wide.

The second half offered little scoring chances with the first action of note coming on 73 minutes when Grech was dismissed for persisting protests.

Still, it was Vittoriosa who could have put the game to bed with three minutes to go when Pereira dribbled past a couple of defenders but drove the ball wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Vittoriosa: J. M. Vella, M. Buttigieg, J. Camilleri (L. Grech), L. Vella Critien, R. Dos Santos, M. Barbara (L. Lagana), D. Pace (M. Grioli), K. M. Robinson, R. Brincat, M. Pereira, G. Muir.

St Andrew’s: D. Balzan, M. Hyzler (L. Cesareo), J. Bugeja, B. Said, B. Diacono, A. Nakuaa, F. Alkanua (G. Riberio), R. Previ (N. Mifsud Bonnici), V. Alinho Goncalves, M. Desira Buttigieg, M. Grima.

Referee: Fiodor Zammit.

Best Player: Marcelo Pereira (Vittoriosa Stars).