St George's 3
Vittoriosa Stars 7

Anthony Eviparker hit four goals in an astonishing 11-minute spell early in the second half to help Vittoriosa Stars complete the double over Cottonera rivals St George's in an exciting derby at the Hibs Ground.

The match had been balanced until Nigerian Eviparker stole the show with his poker that lifted him to the top of the scorers' list with 15 goals.

Vittoriosa went ahead inside the first minute when Charles Cachia anticipated goalkeeper Andrea Gatt to head home from a Keith Darmanin cross.

St George's made an instant reaction and equalised on 14 minutes when Anthony Bonello headed into an empty net after a poor clearance from keeper Ivan Cassar. The Saints took the lead on 32 minutes. Peter Anizoba was brought down in the area by Cedric Sciberras and Jesmond Delia converted the resultant penalty.

Michael Woods's side continued to attack and Anizoba was again dangerous when he dribbled past Howard Hughes but his drive was saved by the Vittoriosa custodian.

But, three minutes before the break, Vittoriosa levelled at 2-2, Silvan Privitelli heading home from a Larry Lagana free-kick.

St George's were back in front on resumption when Glenn Barry controlled the ball well to hit home from just inside the box.

On 52 minutes, St George's defender Vince Camilleri fouled Eviparker in the box, and the Nigerian scored from the spot to make it 3-3.

Four minutes later it was Eviparker again who floated a cross into the Saints' area, Robert Adami mishit his shot but the ball came into the path of the Nigerian who slotted home.

On the hour, St George's goalkeeper Gatt was sent off when he tripped Lagana in the box and another penalty was awarded. Eviparker's penalty kick was fisted away by substitute goalkeeper James Mercieca but the Vittoriosa forward scored from the rebound to put the Stars 5-3 ahead.

On 63 minutes, Eviparker struck his fourth goal when he blasted the ball into the net following a fine cross by Darmanin.

With 10 minutes to go, the Stars could have increased their lead but efforts by Eviparker and Cachia came off the crossbar. Johann Spiteri rounded the scoring when he curled the ball home from a free-kick.

St George's
A. Gatt, J. Delia, A. Bonello, H. Schembri, K. Formosa, L. Agius, M. Mifsud, P. Anizoba, V. Camilleri (L. Desira Buttigieg), G. Barry (J. Mercieca), E. Amaira (C. Grech).

Vittoriosa
I. Cassar (J. Cutajar), S. Portelli, J. Camilleri, C. Sciberras, A. Eviparker, K. Darmanin, H. Hughes (I. Zammit), C. Cachia, L. Lagana, D. Gauci (R. Adami), J. Spiteri.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

Man of the match: Anthony Eviparker (Vittoriosa).