St Andrew’s 2
Beltre 51, Nwoko 86
Senglea Athletic 1
Dalli 19 pen
Having looked down and out for most of the season, St Andrews completed a stunning Houdini act yesterday as they came from behind to beat Senglea in the relegation-promotion play-off to retain their Premier League status.
In keeping with the nature of their season, St Andrews made it hard for themselves as Ryan Dalli’s first-half penalty gave the Division One side a shock lead.
The Violet outfit breached the Southseasiders’ resistance after the break but then saw Joseph Farrugia’s penalty stopped by the post.
With extra-time looming substitute Victor Oseghale produced a moment of magic to serve Kyrian Nwoko who completed the mission four minutes from time.
Play off rule on foreigners compelled St Andrews coach Josè Borg to make three changes to the side that defeated Qormi 4-2. Matteo Buttigieg Desira, Michael Johnson and Liam Grech were roped in at the expense of Jonatan Perez Cuestra, Eloy Nkene and Oseghale.
Player-coach Pablo Doffo yesterday deployed at the heart of the Senglea defence, had a torrid time trying to tame Salomon Wisdom and Nwoko, repeatedly resorting to fouls and conceding a number of free-kicks in key areas.
On one particular occasion, inside the first quarter of the hour, Farrugia’s free-kick flew high over the bar.
But it was Senglea who forged ahead after 19 minutes. James Obaje, their liveliest player up front, served Miguel Ciantar who was brought down in the area by Johnson. Ryan Dalli dispatched a low shot behind Jake Galea.
Here the Saints pushed Enmy Penà Beltre up high on the right wing to create numerical superiority but St Andrews did not create many openings with him repeatedly blocked out by a pack of defenders, who hounded him every time he got the ball.
But that all changed after the restart as St Andrew’s took just six minutes to level the scores.
Farrugia’s corner from the right wreaked havoc in the Senglea box as Bong Won Che diverted the ball in the direction of Penà Beltre to stab the ball home from close in.
Past the hour mark, several Senglea players were caught napping as Farrugia’s seemingly harmless cross reached Johnson inside the box but he headed the ball over the bar.
However the best scoring opportunity fell to Farrugia five minutes later.
The Saints were awarded a penalty after Doffo was deemed to have handled the ball inside the box. But the Saints skipper hit the foot of the post from the spot kick.
Senglea’s joy for that miss soon turned bitterness when Obaje limped out injured and had to be substituted.
Ten minutes from time, Senglea fluffed a golden chance to move ahead.
Substitute Juan Artiago served Dalli but his miscued shot sailed over the bar.
The Cottonera side paid dearly for this miss as four minutes from time, Oseghale, brought in for Francis Onwudinjo, picked up the ball from Dale Camilleri, before he sent an excellent throughball towards Nwoko who hit the ball past the onrushing Jeffrey Farrugia.
St Andrew’s: J. Galea, E. Penà Beltre, M. Johnson, B. Won Che, L. Grech, D. Camilleri, F. Onwudinjo (83 V. Oseghale), J. Farrugia, M. Desira Buttigieg (41 J. Walker), K. Nwoko, S. Wisdom.
Senglea Athletic: Jeffrey Farrugia, R. Vella, P. Doffo, M. del Negro, K. Tanti, C. Cassar, M. Ciantar (78 J. Artiago), Jurgen Farrugia, J. Obaje Aud-Gustine (70 D. Sytnik), E. Lattes, R. Dalli.
Referee Malcolm Spiteri.
Yellow cards Doffo, Johnson, Grech, Cassar.
Missed penalty Farrugia (SA) 66.