Senglea back to winning ways

Senglea Athletics 2
Mqabba 1

Senglea scored a precious victory against Mqabba yesterday. They were back to winning ways after two losses and a draw in their previous three matches.

It was practically a win or bust situation for Dragan Zivkovic's side in their quest to push for promotion.

Senglea are now joint fourth in the standings along with two other teams, all on seven points, but still far from leaders St George's who lead with 15 points.

Senglea had goalkeeper George Attard missing through injury but this did not deter them from playing their usual attacking style of play.

After only five minutes a Jason Borg cross found Kenneth Abela's head, with the seasoned striker just missing the target.

Mqabba reacted in the 16th minute when a Pierre Grima corner found Albert Busuttil who was unlucky as the ball hit colleague Roderick Spiteri who unwittingly stopped the header from hitting the back of the Senglea net.

The team from Cottonera took the lead in the 21st minute.

Borg dribbled his way past a couple of Mqabba defenders and delivered a shot that hit goalkeeper Kris Calleja. The ball ran loose in Borg's path who slotted the ball home to open the score.

Mqabba could have equalized in the 26th minute when a Pierre Grima cross found Uchanna Anywanna with his drive being saved by the Senglea keeper.

Senglea again went close soon after. The Mqabba rearguard hesitated to clear and in nipped Abela who stole the ball, passed on to Borg who shot wide.

Senglea made it 2-0 just before the interval. Abela was too quick for Calleja, who came off his line, and the former Hibernians striker scored with relative ease.

Mqabba were a different kettle of fish in the second half. On 62 minutes Anywanna's throughpass released John Paul Muscat whose fine drive on the run was thwarted by Jonathan Agius, well positioned in the Senglea goal.

Vince Carbonaro's side were dropped a lifeline when Keith Mallia's measured pass fell to Muscat in the Athletics box and he was quick to shoot home.

Mqabba continued to press forward but Senglea could have sealed the issue from a fast counter break only for Anthony Gera, put through by Erin Azzopardi, to hit off target from a good position.

Senglea: J. Agius, D. Gauci, L. Attard, D. Grech, M. Marlow, A. Gera, C. Caruana (G. Cosaitis), K. Abela, E. Azzopardi (T. Farrugia), E. Bobolayefa, J. Borg (G. Bonello).

Mqabba: K. Calleja, P. Grima, A. Busuttil, M.A. Psaila, M. Borg, J.P. Muscat, M. Bonnici, U. Anywanna, E. Borg (C. Borg), R. Spiteri (K. Mallia), S. Sullivan (J. Tellus).

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Next Matches

FA Trophy - First Round
Saturday (Centenary Stadium)
1.30 p.m. Marsaxlokk vs Lija
3.30 p.m. St George's vs Hamrun.

Sunday (Centenary Stadium)
1.30 p.m. St Patrick vs Mosta
3.30 p.m. Floriana vs Tarxien.