ŻABBAR ST PATRICK 1
Basic 60

BIRŻEBBUĠA ST PETER’S 0

Żabbar St Patrick registered their first victory of the season after a second-half goal by Adnan Basic secured a narrow 1-0 win over Birżebbuġa St Peter’s.

Both sides were looking to bounce back from defeats in their opening matches, and although there were several opportunities at either end, Żabbar made the crucial breakthrough to claim their first three points of the campaign.

Birżebbuġa made three changes to the side which lost to Floriana, while Żabbar introduced Jurgen Pisani and new signing Karlo Brucic.

Birżebbuġa created the first major opportunity after just one minute when Alex Bruno sent Gabriel Costa through on the right, but goalkeeper Patrik Mohorovic blocked his close-range effort.

The Southseasiders continued to threaten, with Shaun Dimech seeing an effort turned into a corner before Costa headed wide from a cross.

Żabbar responded through Mario Fontanella, whose angled effort was saved by Birżebbuġa goalkeeper Mattia Chiesa. At the other end, Mohorovic was called into action to turn a shot by Luis Riascos around the post.

Neither side managed to break the deadlock before the interval, with Joao Mafra also going close for Żabbar directly from a corner.

Birżebbuġa started the second half brightly, with Gabriel Costa having a powerful effort blocked by Mohorovic. Żabbar replied through Fontanella, whose overhead kick flew just over the crossbar.

The decisive moment arrived on the hour mark. Nicolas Lancioni delivered a cross from the right and substitute Adnan Basic flicked the ball past Chiesa to hand Żabbar the lead.

Żabbar almost doubled their advantage four minutes later when Charles M’Mombwa narrowly failed to connect with another dangerous delivery from Lancioni.

Birżebbuġa pushed hard for an equaliser and came agonisingly close on 78 minutes when Alex Bruno’s effort was deflected onto the crossbar by Brucic. Kurt Bondin also tested Mohorovic from outside the area as the pressure increased.

Birżebbuġa’s hopes suffered a further setback in the 90th minute when Jackson Mendoza was sent off following a rough tackle on Liam Micallef.

Mohorovic was called upon again in added time to make an important save as Żabbar held firm to secure a valuable first victory of the season.

The result gives Żabbar their first three points of the campaign, while Birżebbuġa St Peter’s remain without a point after their opening two matches.