Mqabba steer clear as Senglea and Marsa share spoils

St George's 0
Mqabba 3

The unpredictable nature of football was fully demonstrated yesterday at the Hibs Ground when St George's were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat to Mqabba despite dominating for long stretches.

Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja played a decisive role in his side's victory yesterday, pulling off a string of fine saves including two from penalties. By virtue of this win, Mqabba moved two points clear of Marsa at the top of the Division One standings.

It was the Saints who had started the game on the offensive. After only 12 minutes, a Trevor Thomas cross hit Edric Borg's hand and Adrian Casha whistled a penalty. Keith Darmanin advanced to take the spot-kick but his shot was kept out by Calleja.

Four minutes later, Mqabba's Alex Hili tried his luck with a shot from outside the area that sailed just wide.

St George's remained the better side and on 19 minutes, they won another penalty when Donald Gatt fouled Anthony Eworum. This time, Heathcliff Schembri's effort was blocked by Calleja's feet.

Three minutes before the break, a header from Albert Busuttil was saved by Andrea Gatt, the St George's goalkeeper.

The Saints continued to dictate matters in the second half and in the 50th minute, Eworum advanced down the right and crossed for Thomas who blasted over.

In the 63rd minute, St George's produced another good move, Darmanin slipping a through-pass for Edgar Degabriele who fired wide from close range.

Six minutes later, Mqabba showed themselves in the St George's half as Busuttil passed to Marlon Briffa who in turn exchanged passes with Uchanna Anywanna but the Nigerian's effort just missed the target.

At the other end, St George's had another glorious opportunity to take the lead 17 minutes from the end of the game. A cross by Degabriele found Thomas in the box but the chip from the former Senglea forward skimmed the crossbar.

A minute later, Mqabba opened the scoring. From a Briffa corner, Busuttil rose high to head the ball firmly past Gatt.

The game was as good as over when Mqabba increased their lead 13 minutes from the end. Clive Brincat's foul on Briffa inside the box resulted in a penalty given to Mqabba and Anywanna coolly converted the spot-kick.

With St George's struggling to get to grips with their two-goal deficit, Mqabba capitalised to make it 3-0, Keith Mallia turning Briffa's cross into the net.

St George's: A. Gatt, C. Grech (P. Muscat), C. Brincat, E. Degabriele (I. Camilleri), E. Sevasta, H. Schembri, J. Spiteri, A. Eworum, K. Darmanin, G. Stivala, T. Thomas (M. Spiteri).

Mqabba: K. Calleja, E. Borg, M. Catania (A. Formosa), M.A. Psaila, A. Hili (M. Briffa), A. Busuttil, D. Gatt, M. Borg, U. Anywanna, JP Muscat (K. Mallia), J. Felice.

Referee: Adrian Casha.

Senglea Athletic 1
Marsa 1

Marsa and Senglea Athletic had to settle for a point apiece after a 1-1 draw in a balanced encounter.

The result was fair as neither team managed to gain the upperhand during the match, even though Senglea, who are now third in the standings, pushed hard for a winner after they drew level.

Senglea were the better side in the opening stages, their aggressive and direct approach causing a few jitters to Marsa.

After 11 minutes, Glenn Bonello, very active for Senglea yesterday, set off on a personal move but his drive finished just wide.

As the match gathered momentum, Marsa came more into their own and began to trouble the Senglea defence. On 22 minutes, a cross from Lee Dino Grima was reached by Gilbert Martin but the latter's header was well saved by George Attard.

Marsa continued to press forward and in the 33rd minute Martin forced Attard into a fine save as he tipped the young striker's first-time effort away for a corner.

Nine minutes into the second half, Senglea's Bonello regained possession from a Marsa clearance and progressed towards goal but, as he entered the penalty area, he was tripped by Elvin Attard, the Marsa goalkeeper.

The only doubt was whether the foul had occurred inside or just outside the box but surprisingly, referee Joe Attard waved play on.

Shrugging off their disappointment at being denied what seemed a just penalty, Senglea maintained their attacking thrust.

Leonid McKay's through-pass was picked up by Bonello who lobbed over Attard but defender Johann Zammit cleared the ball away.

Senglea were now looking the likelier side to break the deadlock but Marsa were first to find the target on 63 minutes.

Daniel Gatt delivered an inviting cross from the right and as Senglea defender David Aquilina failed to clear, Anthony Evi Parker released Joseph Casha who hammered the ball into the net.

Twelve minutes from time, Casha came close to doubling Marsa's lead with a shot from the edge of the area but this time his effort ended wide.

Senglea found the strength to react in the final part of the game and their persistence was rewarded seven minutes from time.

Kenneth Abela forced his way inside the Marsa area and his firm strike was deflected by Zammit on its way into the net.

Senglea: G. Attard, G. Bonello (T. Thomas), E. Azzopardi, K. Abela, G. Magri, D. Grech (M. Tirchett), L. McKay, E. Bobolayefa, A. Farrugia, T. Ghirxi, D. Aquilina.

Marsa: E. Attard, J. Buttigieg, D. Vella, J. Zammit, L. Grima, K. Farrugia, S. Cutajar, J. Casha (R. Micallef), J.P. Zammit, A. Evi Parker, G. Martin (D. Gatt).

Referee: Joe Attard.