Mqabba hand Marsa first league defeat

Mqabba 3
Marsa 1

Uchanna Anywanna was the toast of Mqabba yesterday at the Centenary Stadium as the Nigerian striker scored three goals that condemned leaders Marsa to their first league defeat of the season and pushed Mario Calleja's team to the top of Division One standings.

It was a merited success for Mqabba, who after a balanced first half, took control of proceedings when ends were changed and the surging runs and lethal finishing of Anywanna turned the match in their favour.

Marsa sorely felt the absence of their striker Anthony Evi Parker, who is currently on a trial in England. Striker Gilbert Martin had a good performance in the first half but as time passed he ran out of steam.

Mqabba took the lead in their first real attack on 16 minutes. Donald Gatt, who was making his Mqabba debut following his move from Msida, ably released Anywanna who cooly beat the onrushing Elvin Attard.

Marsa replied with a Daniel Gatt shot that finished wide and then Martin's free-kick sailed over.

Michael Molzahn's team managed to equalise in the 37th minute. They were awarded a penalty for a handling infringement by Mark Anthony Psaila and Lee Grima converted from the spot. Daniel Gatt should have put Marsa 2-1 up in stoppage time but his run in the area was blocked by Kris Calleja.

On the resumption, Mqabba started to impose themselves and in the 69th minute they regained their lead. Marsa's Kevin Farrugia handled the ball in the box and Anywanna scored from the penalty spot.

Here Marsa pushed their men forward in search of an equaliser but instead it was Mqabba who scored a third goal. This arrived on 75 minutes when Albert Busuttil beat the offside trap, served Anywanna who easily shot the ball home to the delight of the Mqabba fans.

Marsa: E. Attard, J. Buttigieg (J. Casha), D. Vella, A. Mifsud, L. Grima (R. Micallef), K. Farrugia, G. Martin, D. Gatt, R. Bonnici, J.P. Zammit, K. Scerri (I. Borg).

Mqabba: K. Calleja, R. Farrugia, M. Catania, A. Busuttil, E. Lufi, M.A. Psaila, M. Briffa (A. Hili), E. Borg, D. Gatt, J.P. Muscat (I. Zammit), U. Anywanna (J. Felice).

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Naxxar Lions 3
Balzan Youths 0

Three goals from Nigerian striker Jerry Ani eased Naxxar Lions's relegation worries as they strolled to a comfortable win over Balzan Youths at the Centenary Stadium.

The Lions are now sharing fourth spot in Division One along with Hamrun Spartans and St George's on the nine point mark even though the Spartans have a game in hand.

Balzan had managed to hold their own in the opening 45 minutes but after the break they simply could not cope with Ani's attacking threat.

Coach Jimmy Briffa will expect a marked improvement from his players if they are to avoid another season fighting against relegation.

The Lions could have taken the lead in the 14th minute when Ani's lob was cleared off the line by Jerryton Agius. But Naxxar's efforts were rewarded on 29 minutes when Justin Zammit's cross was met by Ani who shot the ball home.

Balzan did try to effect a reaction and two minutes later Naxxar goalkeeper Reuben Cini was forced to turn to a corner an Alistair Camilleri header.

In the 40th minute, Balzan threatened again when Stefan Farrugia's volley just missed the target.

Two goals in the space of nine minutes early in the second half turned the match in favour of Naxxar.

In the 47th minute, Ani was first on a long clearance and hammered the ball home. Then on 56th minutes it was 3-0. Bellia was upended in the area by Kevin Curmi and a penalty was awarded. Ani completed his hat-trick from the spot.

From then on the game had little to offer except for a Farrugia shot for Balzan that hit the bar in the 85th minute.

Naxxar: R. Cini, D. Zuccaro, K. Schembri (P. Barbara), M. Spiteri Gonzi, V. Bellia, T. Fenech, P. Fenech, J. Zammit, C. Mifsud, J. Ani (S. Muscat), R. Schembri.

Balzan: R. Farrugia, D. Agius (S. Mizzi), G. Scerri (C. Caruana), J. Agius (D. Mamo), K. Curmi, S. Farrugia, A. Camilleri, M. Sciortino, P. Grima, V. Micallef, Z. Anicic.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.