Easy for Naxxar after early goals

Naxxar L Marsaxlokk 2 0

Two early goals inside the opening four minutes of the match were more than enough for Naxxar to register their third victory of the season over a sorry Marsaxlokk side.

The opening five minutes were decisive as Marsaxlokk, still smarting from their shock elimination against Nadur Youngsters in the U*BET FA Trophy, never recovered with their only chance of crawling back in the game coming eight minutes from time when a Clarke header smashed against the crossbar.

The Lions fully deserved their victory as they were in full control of the match. Needless to say their impressive start and the goals scored were too much for Marsaxlokk who also finished the match with 10 players when Andre Grabowski received the marching orders seconds from the final whistle.

After only 55 seconds the Lions were in front when Serino Junior crossed towads Darren Falzon who nodded the ball down towards Angus Buhagiar who fired low shot past a bewildered Omar Borg in the Marsaxlokk goal.

Marsaxlokk had barely recovered from this setback as three minutes later Anthony Ewurun made his way inside the area but was floored by Clarke with referee Caruana awarding the penalty and Pablo Doffo sent Omar Borg the wrong way from the spot.

Naxxar controlled with relative ease as Marsaxlokk were practically inexistent up front. Just before the break Naxxar went close again with a Sunday Eboh header that was brilliantly saved by Omar Borg.

On the resumption Naxxar were unlucky when a Darren Falzon shot hit the upright. Marsaxlokk’s first attempt came on 55 minutes when Rupert Mangion tested Azzopardi direct from a freekick.

Eight minutes from time Marsaxlokk had their best chance of pulling one back but Clarke’s header slammed against the cross- bar. Just before the final whistle Marsaxlokk’s Andre Grabowski was sent off after a second booking following a foul on Andre Rocha Da Silva.

Naxxar L – J. Azzopardi, J. Vella, L. Micallef, S. Eboh, P. Doffo, V. Bellia, I. Serino Junior (A. Rocha Da Silva) , M. Del Negro, A. Buhagiar (G. Camilleri), A. Ewurun, D. Falzon,

Marsaxlokk – O. Borg, T. Farrugia, J. C. Vella, K. Scicluna, M. Clarke, A. Grabowski, D. Da Silva Silveira (D. Grech), W. Chircop (D. Micallef), R. Mangion, G. Caruana, D. Attard

Referee - Paul Caruana