Naxxar end Senglea's dreams

Naxxar Lions 2
Senglea Athletics 1

Goals from Chima Dozie and Simon Muscat earned Naxxar Lions a 2-1 deserved victory against high-flying Senglea in a poor end-of-season clash at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. This result meant that Msida and Balzan have been promoted to the Premier League.

Dozie crashed home a volley from the edge of the penalty area in the seventh minute for his eight goal of the season but he could have easily added his tally had he not missed some open scoring opportunites.

It looked as if the game was going to have a quiet start but it burst to life on seven minutes when he Lions midfielder Aaron Pendry hit a fierce drive that goalkeeper Elvin Attard tipped but the ball fell invitingly to Dozie who could not miss in front of goal.

The return of Joseph Sant Fournier for the Lions proved to be Naxxar's gain and the former Sliema Wanderers defender had a fierce drive well saved by Attard for a corner. From the resulting corner Pendry was again thwarted by the Senglea custodian.

One expected Senglea to put some pressure on the Naxxar defence but the Lions continued to hold the upperhand and on 20 minutes Martin Borg's rising shot just missed the target.

A minute later, Dozie missed an easy chance when he pounced on a defensive mix-up but the Nigerian shot wide from a good position.

Senglea at last responded with a good spell of pressure as a Lawrence Attard free-kick was saved by Psaila.

But Naxxar did not have to wait too long to press forward and Dozie was unlucky not to add another when Attard saved his grounder on the half hour.

Naxxar were unlucky not to double their lead when Dozie's shot from outside the area hit the crossbar.

On resumption, Dozie again failed to capitalise on a defensive mix-up and on 49 minutes the Lions again were unlucky when from a swift counter-attack Dozie, with the goal at his mercy, failed to connect to Simon Muscat's cross.

Senglea tried to put their house in order in the 66th minute when after Gera's fine work, Imbroll shot weakly into the hands of Psaila from a good position.

A minute later the side from Cottonera equalised. Gera was brought down in the box by the Naxxar keeper and the same player converted from the spot.

One thought that the game would now sway Senglea's way but on the contrary Naxxar continued to produce the better football and their best player Muscat was again troubling the Senglea defence.

The Lions missed a couple of ideal opportunities but on stroke of time Muscat beat a couple of defenders and instead of crossing the ball, went all the way to shoot home.

Senglea had not enough time to grab a second equaliser and at the final whistle their disappointment was evident as their promotion dreams had come to an end.

Naxxar: P. Psaila, J. Sant Fournier, K. Cassar, P. Sixsmith, K. Sammut, R. Schembri (K. Fenech), M. Borg, C. Spiteri, S. Muscat, C. Dozie (J. Grech), A. Pendry (H. Pullicino)

Senglea: E. Attard, D. Aquilina, S. Aquilina, D. Grech, S. Said, A. Gera, K. Sammut (F. Dingli), D. Draganov (D. Bugeja), J. Scerri, L. Attard, A. Imbroll.

Referee: Stefan Buontempo.