Zejtun back to winning ways with Castano hat-trick
Zejtun Corinthians returned to winning ways yesterday after their dismal performance against Pieta, easily disposing of Qrendi with Colombian striker Johan Alberto Castano in brilliant form scoring all Zejtun’s goals.
In his second appearance for his side, Castano was outsatanding, and apart from the three goals scored he was a constant headache to the Qrendi rearguard.
Zejtun also fielded other new signings in the likes of Ryan Dalli and ex-Rabat captain Adam Smeir, as Zejtun look still determined to have their say in the promotion race as they try to reduce the gap with the front runners.
It was a deserved victory yesterday for Zejtun against the in-form Qrendi side, who had in Santos Da Hora as their best player, but the Brazilian striker failed to leave his mark yesterday.
Zejtun constantly held the upper hand with Castano going close after twenty minutes play with a header going wide.
But on 29 minutes Zejtun broke the deadlock when the Colombian striker scored a well taken goal after a pass from Adam Smeir.
Qrendi had a good reaction with Da Hora going close on a couple of occassions but the Zejtun defence held its ground.
On 71 minutes Zejtun doubled the score when they won a rather dubious penalty, and from the spot Castano’s effort was saved by the goalkeeper but Castano made no mistake from the rebound.
The game was now decided with Qrendi resigned to their fate and on 81 minutes Castano obtained his hattrick with a header following a freekick.
Qrendi: J. Azzopardi, D. Martini, P. Mrvic, L. Scorfna, T. D’Amato, E. Amaira, M. Barbara, A. Agius, D. Sammut, K. Abela, D. Santos Da Hora.
Żejtun C: J. Tabone, D. Albanese, Y. Camilleri, C. Giordemaina, E. Vella, N. Tabone, J. Castro, B. Farrugia, O. El Hussieny, A. Smeir, R. Dalli. Referee: Darryl Agius