Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/946236
maltatoday SUNDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2018 47 PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG Senglea Athletic .......... 2 St Andrews ................. 1 WARREN ZAMMIT THE first match at the Hiberni- ans stadium saw Senglea Ath- letic and St Andrews facing off in a clash at the lower end of the table. This match promised to be a balanced encounter as the difference between the two sides was just three points. Senglea started the match with nineteen points, while St Andrews came into this match with sixteen points. Paolo Favaretto made three changes to the team that drew level with Tarxien. Julian Ley- ton, Hubert Vella and Augusto Caseres replaced Ian Azzopardi, Gonzalo Nicolas Virano and Nicola Palmieri. On the other hand, Michael Woods made just one change to the team that held Gzira United. Degran Jackson took Ricardo Martin's place. Senglea made a f lying start to the match as they went ahead af- ter just four minutes. Following a free-kick, Ivan Paz delivered the ball towards Matias Garcia who headed the ball past Mat- thew Calleja Cremona. Four minutes later, Bragi Gre- gori hit a shot from outside the penalty area that was neutral- ised by Calleja Cremona. St Andrews replied on the 10th minute. Misael Miranda Gomez sent a volley from distance that ended up slightly over. Favaretto's side had a prom- ising chance on the 23rd min- ute. Following a good run, Paz passed the ball towards Grego- ri, but the latter was denied by Calleja Cemona who came out of his place and blocked his path. The post denied Senglea a minute later. Terence Vella saw his effort from inside the pen- alty area hitting the woodwork. On the 44th minute, Degran Jackson of St Andrews attempt- ed a shot from distance that was easily saved by Matthew Farru- gia. In the additional time given by the referee prior to half-time, Paz sent a shot from a free-kick that ended up over. St Andrews started the sec- ond half looking to equalise and went close on the 48th minute. Joseph Farrugia's delivery from a free-kick was met by Tazo Azian whose header was saved by Far- rugia. Senglea hit back a minute later. Gregori went through on goal, but saw his shot being blocked by Calleja Cremona. Gomez went close for the Saints on the 58th minute. Gomez saw his volley from dis- tance going marginally over. A minute later, Farrugia at- tempted an acrobatic effort that failed to hit the target. St Andrews kept on insisting and had another chance on the 67th minute. Gomez fired a shot from the edge of the penalty ar- ea that went off target. Ten minutes later, St Andrews threatened again. Travis Bla- grove received the ball from Far- rugia and sent a header that was neutralised by Farrugia. This was the prelude for the goal as St Andrews equalised on the 78th minute. Azian served Farrugia and the latter hit a low shot from inside the penalty ar- ea that gave Farrugia no chance. Senglea restored their lead on the 82nd minute. Paz hit a stun- ning shot from a free-kick that ended up inside the net. Brian Volpini nearly scored Senglea's third goal on the 90th minute. Calleja Cremona went up to help his side in attack, but Senglea won the ball and went forward on a fast counter. The substitute player attempted to place the ball inside an open goal, but his shot from the cen- tre of the pitch sailed wide. Seconds later, Senglea had an- other great opportunity. Follow- ing a counter attack, Peter Sam- mut went down the left side and hit a shot that was blocked by Calleja Cremona. Rebound fell for Vella whose shot stamped off the post. Senglea Athletic starting line- up: Matthew Farrugia, Randal Vella, Jonathan Bondin, Sergio Uyi, Julian Leyton, Matias Gar- cia, Hubert Vella (Steve Bonnici – 74), Ivan Paz, Terence Vella, Augusto Caseres (Peter Sam- mut – 77), Brag Gregori (Brian Volpini- 87) St Andrews starting line-up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Adrian Borg , Misael Miranda Gomez, Tano Azian, Marcus Grima (Kevaughn Atkinson- 65), Joseph Farrugia, Jason Van De Lannote, Mattew Gauci, Jacob Walker (Travis Blagrove – 56), Degran Jackson, Kemar Reid Referee: Sandro Spiteri Assistant Referees: Luke Por- telli, Peter Abela Fourth Of ficial: Eman Grech Yellow Cards: Marcus Grima (St Andrews), Jason Van De Lannote (St Andrews), Matthew Gauci (St Andrews), Matthew Calleja Cre- mona (St Andrews), Travis Bla- grove (St Andrews), Kavaughn Atkinson (St Andrews) BOV Player of the Match: Ivan Paz (Senglea) Sports SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL FA Trophy Sliema Wanderers - Tarxien Rainbows .... 1-1 Lija Athletic - Balzan .............................. 0-3 Gzira United - Floriana ........................... 0-0 Senglea Athletic - St. Andrews ............... 2-1 England - Premier League Leicester City - Stoke City .....................1-1 AFC Bournemouth - Newcastle United .2-2 Brighton & Hove Albion - Swansea City 4-1 Burnley - Southampton .......................1-1 Liverpool - West Ham United ...............4-1 West B. Albion - Huddersfield Town .....1-2 Watford - Everton ................................1-0 Today 13:00 Crystal Palace - Tottenham Hotspur 15:00 Manchester United - Chelsea Italy - Serie A Bologna - Genoa ................................... 2-0 Inter - Benevento .................................. Late Today 12:30 Crotone - SPAL 2013 15:00 Fiorentina - ChievoVerona 15:00 Hellas Verona - Torino 15:00 Sampdoria - Udinese 15:00 Sassuolo - Lazio 18:00 Juventus - Atalanta 20:45 Roma - AC Milan Tomorrow 20:45 Cagliari - SSC Napoli Spain - LaLiga Celta Vigo - Eibar ................................... 2-0 Real Madrid - Alaves .............................. 4-0 Leganes - Las Palmas ............................ 0-0 Barcelona - Girona ................................ Late Today 12:00 Villarreal - Getafe 16:15 Athletic Bilbao - Malaga 18:30 Valencia - Real Sociedad 20:45 Sevilla - Atletico Madrid Tomorrow 21:00 Levante - Real Betis Germany - Bundesliga Bayern Munich - Hertha Berlin .............. 0-0 Hannover 96 - Borussia M. .................... 0-1 Hoffenheim - Freiburg ........................... 1-1 VfB Stuttgart - Eintracht Frankfurt ........... 1-0 Werder Bremen - Hamburger SV ............ 1-0 Today 15:30 Bayer Leverkusen - Schalke 04 18:00 RasenBallsport L. - FC Cologne Tomorrow 20:30 Borussia Dortmund - Augsburg Football Results & Fixtures Senglea Athletic move closer to safety Senglea's hopes of retaining their Premier League status are slowly materialising after securing an important 2-1 win over St Andrews