Vittoriosa Stars 2-2 San Gwann

Vittoriosa Stars came back from the dead to win their second point of the season after being 2-0 down against an improved San Gwann side who were hammered by Mqabba in their first outing. Without any doubt Vittoriosa were the better side.

They dictated pace for long stretches, created more goal-scoring opportunities but found goalkeeper Justin Spiteri in tremendous form.

After only three minutes Larry Lagana looked through following a bad defensive clearance by the San Gwann rearguard but Justin Spiteri cleared immediately outside his area to clear the danger.

The Stars continued to attack and forced three corners in a row and from one of them, Stephen Calleja headed just wide.

In the 12th minute Uchanna Anywanna controlled the ball well with his chest outside the area, found Dino Trakosopolous whose drive was saved for a corner by Justin Spiteri. After Vittoriosa early flurry it was San Gwann who took the lead against the run of play.

This came in the 15th minute when a Clayton Giordemaina free-kick into the area found the Vittoriosa rearguard flat-footed and Doncic unmarked rose well to head home.

After 29 minutes San Gwann made it 2-0 when Luke Vella Critien's intelligent pass from his own half found Danilo Doncic who was brought down by Justin Camilleri, the referee ordered a goal-kick but Assistant Referee Joe Camilleri noted the infringement, and Savior Tanti after consulting the Assistant Referee ordered the penalty. Malcolm Buttigieg took the penalty to make it 2-0.

A minute later Vittoriosa protested heavily for a penalty when a Trakosopolous cross looked to half hit the arm of Giordemanina but referee waved play on. In the 32nd minuted Larry Lagana's corner was headed just wide by Robert Adami.

Massimo Cremona's side continued to apply the pressure and five minutes before the break Silvan Privitelli found Uchanna Anywanna who turned well and shot on to a post from just outside the area and from the rebound Cedric Sciberras made it 2-1.

Vittoriosa equalised six minutes into the second half when from a Larry Lagana corner, Stephen Calleja, like a vulcher was too fast for the San Gwann rearguard to slot home.

In the 64th minute a tremendous free-kick by Ivan Zammit was magnificently saved by Justin Spiteri. 17-minutes from time San Gwann Antonio Saliba was sent-off after fouling Anywanna who looked as if he had got better on the run over the San Gwann defender. This was Saliba's second yellow card, so he was sent for an early shower.

Four minutes before the end a Clint Cope cross found the head of Trevor Thomas whose header was saved for a corner by Justin Spiteri. From the resulting corner Duncan Burke just missed the target for the side from Cottonera.

Vittoriosa S. I.Cassar; I.Zammit, C.Sciberras, Sandro Calleja, J.Camilleri, D.Trakosopoulas (T.Thomas), Stephen.Calleja (C.Cope), S.Privitelli, L.Lagana, U.Anywannam, R.Adami (D. Burke).

San Gwann: J.Spiteri; K.Micallef, A.Saliba, C.Giordemaina, R.Brincat (M.Valenzia), M.Buttigieg, A.Borg, L.Vella Critien, C.Cuschieri (S.Zammit Fava), A. Spiteri (L.Sciberras), D.Doncic

Referee: S.Tanti