Saints go on top with comfortable win

Dingli S St.Andrew’s 0 2

St Andrew’s moved to the top of the First Division League with a rather comfortable victory over lowly Dingli. The match never reached high standards with the Saints always in the driving seat with Dingli rarely giving the impression of saving the match.

Dingli were better in the opening minutes but they faded away especially after the Saints took the lead with a well taken goal by Michael Grima.

Seconds into the second half the Saints put the issue beyond doubt with the second goal that practically killed all Dingli’s hopes. Dingli had two players sent off on 92 minutes for dissent as they finished the match with nine players.

Although Dingli held territorial superiority for most of the second half, they rarely tested goalkeeper Matthew Towns.

Dingli set the pace in the opening stages and could have forged ahead on eight minutes when a Senior David header was well saved by Matthew Towns. The Saints had their first attempt through Trayko Grozev whose fierce freekick was well saved by Farrugia in two attempts.

On 15 minutes St. Andrews took the lead when Michael Grima had a powerful run went inside the box and beat Farrugia for a great goal. St. Andrews went close again seven minutes later when Michael Grima crossed towards Rumen Kerekov whose close range effort was blocked by Farrugia with the ball finishing against the crossbar.

At the start of the second half St Andrews doubled the score when a Kerekov cross was missed by all with the ball coming in the path of Michael Hyzler whose half volley from the edge of the area finished in the top corner of the net.

Minutes later the Saints went close to a third goal but Kerekov’s effort from close range was well saved by Farrugia. Dingli went close with a good Senior David shot that went inches wide.

In stoppage time, referee Utulu sent off two Dingli players, Jonathan Sapiano and Bledjon Guga.

Dingli S – J. Farrugia, R. Briffa, F. Cauchi (R. MIcallef), L. Konda, K.Formosa, S. David, B. Guga, E. Farrugia, E. Muscat (R. Vella), E. Grech, L. Micallef (J. Sapiano).

St.Andrews – M. Towns, N. Chetcuti, C. Cumbo, B. Said, W. Camilleri, B. Diacono, J. Briscoe White, M. Hyzler (N. Vella Petroni), M. Grima (Z. Gatt), R. Kerekov, T. Grozev (K. Mifsud Bonnici)

Referee – Jude Amin Utulu