Naxxar secure vital win over Marsaxlokk

NAXXAR LIONS                   1         

Bolanos 25

MARSAXLOKK        0

NAXXAR L.

M. Debono, N. Micallef, B. Sane, N. Pace Cocks, E Bolanos, E. Farias (90 J. Farrugia), H. Santos (87 J. Hernandez), H. Correia, Maicon (79 Y. Ito), F. Barbosa, J. Moura.

MARSAXLOKK

M. Calleja Cremona, K. Micallef, Dodo, Y. Messias, J. Corbalan (67 J. Ghio), M. Adamec (67 S. Kukhianidze), L. Lopez, A, De Aguiar, E. Pena Beltre (90 D. Torres), L. Aguirre, R. Scicluna (80 D. Bonnici).

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann.

Yellow cards: Barbosa, Maicon, Santos, Messias, Scicluna, J. Corbalan, M. Debono

Naxxar Lions earned three precious points as they defeated Marsaxlokk 1-0.

It was a crucial win for the Lions against a team that was aiming for victory to join leaders Birkirkara on top of the table.

Marsaxlokk had two changes from the team which drew with Birkirkara as Matthew Calleja Cremona replaced the injured Federico Marchetti while Martin Adamec replaced the suspended Nikolai Muscat.

On the other hand, Naxxar coach George Vella named an unchanged side despite the defeat to Hibernians.

The Southseasiders went out in search of an early goal and Lucas Lopes hit high from inside the area off a Leandro Aguirre freekick on six minutes.

Three minutes later, Aguirre had a free-kick ending just over the bar.

Naxxar replied with a shot from the edge of the area by Maicon which was parried by Matthew Calleja Cremona on 10 minutes.

However, on 25 minutes, Naxxar forged ahead. Maicon delivered a cross from the right and Edward Bolanos headed the ball home past goalkeeper Calleja Cremona.

The goal stunned Enzo Potenza’s side and their players were finding it difficult to penetrate the well-organised Naxxar rearguard.

It was only towards the end of the first half that Marsaxlokk threatened with Dodo, served on the left, who had a first-time effort ending just over the bar.

In the second half, Marsaxlokk tried to push harder and on 56 minutes, Naxxar goalkeeper Matthias Debono blocked a close-range header by Yuri Messias from the right. Yuri Messias concluded a good move on the left with a pass for Alex De Aguiar who flicked the ball in style but the conclusion ended just past the post on 70 minutes. 

In stoppage time, De Aguiar had a close range effort blocked by Debono, when served by Duane Bonnici from the left.