Yuri Messias saves Naxxar’s blushes after missing a penalty

Football - BOV Div I

Naxxar L Vittoriosa S 1 0

Yuri Messias missed a penalty just before the break but then scored a very good goal on 73 minutes to give Naxxar a precious victory that puts the Lions back on top of the pack. It was a low profile match between two teams who could surely produce better fare.

For Vittoriosa this defeat means a definite end to their residual promotion hopes, as Robert Cassar’s side is now definitely out of the promotion race.

The first half was a boring affair as the match failed to live up to its expectations. Vittoriosa had more possession of the ball but Obiefule and Ogunnupe failed to create scoring opportunities. Play was mainly in midfield with both defences always coming on top and with both goalkeeper inoperative.

The first attempt came on the half hour when Vittoriosa goalkeeper Magri charged out of position to block the advancing Yuri Messias with the ball finishing in the path of Jurgen Debono whose first timer wnet inches wide.

Twelve minutes into the second half Naxxar’s Ryan Grech blasted over the bar following a Messias corner.

On 73 minutes Naxxar broke the deadlock when in a fast break substitute Andriuoli passed towards Yuri Messias who made amends for his penalty miss, beating Magri with a precise lob.

Vittoriosa pushed everything forward in the remaining minutes but their aspirations were dented on 90 minutes when Gianluca Sultana was sent off after receiving a second booking.

Naxxar L: O. Borg, A. Buhagiar, M. Fenech, D. Bonnici, R. Cassar, Jurgen Debono, R. Grech, D. Nocera Garcia (L. Andriuoli), John Debono (L.J. Agius), L. Adamec, Y. Messias (R. Mercieca).

Vittoriosa S: K. Magri, G. Sultana, D. Pisani (K. Attard), J. Ogonuppe (O.L. Agbeobina), L. Gauci (C.J. Mallia), D. Fava, A. Farrugia, R. Previ, O. Obiefule, P. Mrvic, A. Galea.

Referee: Jude Amin Utulu