Żejtun strike late to deny Senglea Athletic

SENGLEA           1           

Diwoto 9

ŻEJTUN              1           

De Fex 78

Substitute Rafael de Fex Marriaga came to Żejtun Corinthians’ rescue as they picked up their second point in the BOV Premier League thanks to a 1-1 draw with Senglea Athletic.

Following the heavy defeat to Lija Athletic, Senglea showed remarkable improvement. The managed to take an early lead and seemed heading for a win but Żejtun notched the equaliser late in the game.  All in all, a draw was a fair result.

Senglea coach Ryan Newell made four changes from their last outing, naming Andre Scicluna, Jan Tanti and new signings Ricardo Martin and Luis Riascos in the starting line-up. Alan Abela was among the substitutes while Ronny Song and Chris Matombo did not feature in the squad apart from Clyde Borg who moved to Gżira earlier this week.

On the other hand, Żejtun coach Orosco Anonam opted for three changes from the team which drew 2-2 with Santa Lucia as Edward Herrera, Dylan Agius and Ricardo Silva Faria were preferred to Kemar Reid, Anderson de Barros and Robeiro do Nascimento.

Żejtun went in search of an early goal with Marcelo Pereira Muniz trying his luck with a shot from outside the area on six minutes.

However, three minutes later, Senglea managed to take the lead.

Dibola Diwoto Junior received the ball on the edge of the area and beat goalkeeper Christian Cassar with a fine shot.

Ricardo Silva Faria missed a good opportunity for the Corinthians, concluding poorly from close range on 23 minutes.

A Jan Tanti freekick on the half-hour ended just over the bar for Senglea but Żejtun threatened once again through Jurgen Suda, who headed the ball wide off a cross by Herrera from the right on 32 minutes.

Shots at goal were few and far in between during the second half but on 75 minutes, substitute goalkeeper Dorian Bugeja, who had replaced the injured Matthew Farrugia earlier on, came to the rescue as he blocked a fine Jurgen Suda free-kick from the right with the ball being cleared into a corner by a defender.

Bugeja performed another good save on a close-range header by Muniz two minutes later.

However, Żejtun equalised on 78 minutes. Marcelo Pereira Muniz’s low effort hit the foot of the upright and off the rebound, Rafael de Fex Marriaga slotted the ball past the Senglea goalkeeper.

BOV Player of the Match: Dibola Diwoto Junior (Senglea Athletic).