Mqabba strengthen promotion push

Mqabba 4
Naxxar Lions 1

Mqabba continued with their quest to win promotion to the Premier League when a three-goal spurt in the final 10 minutes gave them a 4-1 victory over bottom team Naxxar Lions.

After battling well during the first 45 minutes, the Lions just threw in the towel when faced by Mqabba's growing pressure.

Mqabba, who have moved up to third in the standings on 14 points, began to dictate matters from the early stages. They took the lead after five minutes when an Edric Borg cross-shot deceived goalkeeper Reuben Cini.

As time went by, Naxxar started to play better, with Victor Bellia and Simon Muscat very active in their midfield sector, but they lacked punch up front and were rarely dangerous.

At least, the Lions managed to equalise in the 32nd minute when Roderick Spiteri fouled Justin Zammit inside the box and referee Adrian Casha, who was very close to the action, did not hesitate to order a penalty. From the 11-metre spot, Nigerian Chima Dozie made it 1-1.

Bolstered by this goal, Naxxar improved their performance but it was Mqabba who should have regained the lead when Borg's cross-shot came off the crossbar.

Just before the break, Naxxar were unlucky not to go ahead when a Dozie free-kick finished just over the crossbar.

Mqabba were a transformed team in the second half and literally toyed with their fading opponents. In the 56th minute, Uchanna Anywanna was brought down but still managed to shoot, only for goalkeeper Cini to save his lines.

Minutes later, there was a scramble inside the Naxxar box but Mqabba substitute Justin Tellus was twice thwarted by the Naxxar rearguard, although in one instant the ball seemed to have hit the hand of a Naxxar defender.

Naxxar goalkeeper Cini was constantly being tested by Mqabba but he did well to save from Muscat and Anywanna. Cini's resistance was broken 10 minutes from time. A long clearance by the Mqabba defence was not repelled by the Lions' rearguard and Anywanna nipped in to fire home from close range.

Two minutes later, Chris Borg crossed from the right and Anywanna again rose well to head home and secure Mqabba's success.

Mqabba scored a fourth goal late in the game thanks to a fine finish from John Paul Muscat.

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

Naxxar: R. Cini, G. Naudi, J. Borg (M. Gauci), R. Schembri, C. Sciberras, S. Muscat, T. Fenech, V. Bellia, C. Dozie (C. Mifsud), G. Camilleri, J. Zammit (K. Grech).

Referee: Adrian Casha.

Lija Athletic 2
Senglea Athletics 1

Senglea Athletics looked to be heading for an important victory when they took the lead 13 minutes from the end of time but relegation-threatened Lija Athletic made a strong reaction to notch three precious points.

This defeat has seriously dented Senglea's chances of winning promotion to the top flight on their 100th anniversary.

Lija's performance in the first half had been commendable but it was Senglea who had the best chances. The game died down in the second half but exploded near the end.

Despite the strong winds, both sides tried to play good football.

Senglea were more direct in their approach and Lija custodian Etienne Mercieca kept his side in the game. After eight minutes, Mercieca saved a good header from Lawrence Attard for a corner. From the resulting flag-kick, Attard again rose well but his header finished just wide.

Senglea went close again with a first-time effort from Glenn Bonello that just missed the target. On another occasion, Bonello crossed from the left but Senglea's Borg was slow to react and Mercieca dived well at his feet to block.

Five minutes before the break, Mercieca was again prominent when keeping out a Bonello effort. A minute later, a fast counter-attack nearly produced a goal for Lija but Anicic's drive was saved by George Attard.

Senglea threatened to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time but Mercieca came off his line to dispossess Bonello who was unmarked.

The second half was quiet and chances were few and far between.

Lija's John Camilleri had a header just missing the target.

Then, 13 minutes from time, Senglea looked to have snatched the winner when their best player, Lawrence Attard, scored with a header from a corner action.

Lija were not ready to lie down and on 79 minutes, Michael Gatt netted a fine goal following an Anicic free-kick. Four minutes later, promising youngster Calabretta came close to scoring for Lija but his shot sailed just wide. But Lija continued to press for a winner which came four minutes from time. Niki Gatt ran into the Senglea penalty area and after his first shot was saved by Attard, the Lija forward prodded home from the rebound to earn his side three important points.

Lija: E. Mercieca, E. Azzopardi, J.P. Scerri, A. Ellul (G. Calabretta), G. Lanzon, M. Gatt, J. Camilleri (J. Cauchi), N. Gatt, P. Camilleri, Z. Anicic, B. Antignolo.

Senglea: G. Attard, D. Gauci, L. Attard, D. Cosaitis, D. Grech, L. Mckay (J. Tabone), C. Caruana, K. Abela, E. Bobolayefa, J. Borg (T. Farrugia), G. Bonello.

Referee: Marco Borg.