Dramatic winner puts Sirens in safer water

Zabbar SP Sirens 1 2

A stoppage time goal scored by Daniel Agius gave Sirens a precious victory in this direct relegation clash against ten-man Zabbar.

A draw would have been a fairer result but the inexperienced Zabbar side finally succumbed to a defeat that puts more pressure on their already difficult position.

Sirens did the early running with a couple of attempts at goal, but Zabbar took the lead on their first attack when Shalon Diacono dribbled past a couple of defenders before beating goalkeeper Marmara with a low drive.

Sirens had an immediate reaction with a Michael Micallef effort just missing the target and a Daniel Agius shot on the turn going over the bar.

On 25 minutes Michael Micallef again went close with a drive from the edge of the area.

Sirens obtained a deserved equaliser on 29 minutes when Michael Micallef beat goalkeeper Grech with a precise lob for a well taken goal. Zabbar surged forward after suffering this goal and had two well taken shots from Shalon Diacono and Kurt Cutajar well saved by goalkeeper Marmara.

The match slowed down on the resumption with play mainly in midfield and with both sides aiming to earn at least a point.

On 74 minutes Zabbar were reduced to 10 men when Shawn Cesare was shown a second yellow for a foul on Michael Micallef.

However, with a player less, Zabbar were more dangerous in attack and went close to a dramatic winner with a Diacono shot brilliantly saved by Marmara. But deep in stoppage time, Sirens scored a dramatic winner when Daniel Agius scored a beauty with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area.

Żabbar SP: J. Grech, C. Camilleri, G. Adamo, S. Cesare, C. Magro, C. Stewart, S. Diacono, D. Micallef, K. Cutajar (D. Pace 65 min), A. Pulis, N. Silva.

Sirens: R. Marmara, L. Zammit, R. Previ, D. Sant, B. Kremenovic, I. Curmi, J.N. Azzopardi, D. Agius, M. Micallef, C. Caruana, L. Galea (E. Goodman 78 min).

Referee: Paul Toledo Qormi Pieta H Mqabba Żejtun C San Ġwann Żebbuġ R Vittoriosa S Qrendi Sirens Pembroke Żabbar SP Marsa Melita Rabat A P W D L F A Pts 21 14 5 2 41 19 47 21 13 1 7 47 26 40 21 12 4 5 42 23 40 21 11 5 5 39 25 38 21 10 6 5 36 30 36 21 9 8 4 31 22 35 21 9 6 6 37 28 33 21 6 8 7 26 32 26 21 7 3 11 32 39 24 21 8 7 6 37 28 21 21 5 4 12 27 46 19 21 4 6 11 27 41 18 21 3 5 13 18 41 14 21 1 2 18 16 57 5