Impressive Naxxar go on top

Naxxar Lions easily beat Zebbug Rangers yesterday evening to go temporaraily on top of the standings. It was an impressive display from the Lions especially in the first half when they built a twogoal cushion, but should have taken a far bigger margin.

With fiteen minutes to go Zebbug even managed to reduce the arrears but Naxxar secured their victory with a late penalty to go on top of the standings.

Naxxar took the lead on eight minutes when one of their best players yesterday Duane Bonnici made his way inside the box before beating Azzopardi with a precise grounder.

Five minutes later Naxxar doubled the score when Munoz passed towards the unmarked Messias who shot beautifully home. Naxxar had some glorious scoring opportunities but Azzopardi was in splendid form to keep the Rangers’ hopes alive.

Fifteen minutes from time Zebbug reduced the arrears thanks to a Dario tabone precise lob, but two minutes from time Messias was brought down inside the box and from the penalty spot the same Messias made no mistake.

Deep in stoppage time Naxxar were reduced to ten players when Ryan Grech received a second booking for dissent.

Naxxar: O. Borg, A. Buhagiar, N. Spiteri, D. Bonnici (J. Ellul), R. G. Cassar, J. Debono, R. Grech, S.J. Guevara Munoz (D.J. Nocera Garcia), J. Debono, A. Lubos, Y. Messias Zebbug: J. Azzopardi, C. Ikenna Kean, T. Trebovac, R. Bajada, A. Curmi (J. C. Camilleri), D. Tabone, S. Borg, C. Pace (K. Grima), I. Meli, R. Mandic, K. Zammit (A. Agius)

Referee: Sandro Spiteri