Second win for Mqabba as Vittoriosa draw

Mosta 2
Mqabba 3

Mqabba were always considered to be a good bet for promotion these last few seasons. But they always failed to live up to expectations especially when it came to showing their character. Although only two matches have been played, Mqabba's determination and never-say-die attitude look second to none, and this could sway things in their favour this season.

Against a very solid Mosta team, Joe Falzon's men played neat football and hitting on the counter attack. After Mosta's second goal, Mqabba showed great defensive organisation to hold off their opponents to claim their second win.

Mqabba were off to a flyer and after 15 minutes Ikechukwu Chibueze saw his header hitting the post and from the rebound Jean Paul Muscat slotted the ball home.

On 29 minutes, Matthew Cocks' volley was parried away by Joshua Galea. But seven minutes later, the Mosta goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Chibueze from heading in Mqabba's second goal from close in.

Mosta should have pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time but Seti Rufai shot straight at goalkeeper Kris Calleja from a good position.

On 53 minutes Calleja again did well to keep out Ives Bilocca's shot.

Mqabba's response produced an Albert Busuttil header that was cleared off the line by Mario Abela.

Mqabba killed off the game on 57 minutes when from a Muscat corner, Chibueze's header was deflected into the net by Nicolò Baldacchino.

Mosta managed to reduce the deficit on 64 minutes when Bilocca's shot was parried by Calleja but in came Brian Agius who shot home the rebound.

The match was thrown wide open five minutes from time when Calleja fouled Agius in the area and Bilocca converted the resultant spot-kick.

From then on Mosta pushed more men forward but it was Mqabba who could have increased their lead but Baldacchino shot just wide.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici (M. Catania), A. Busuttil, J. Delia, R. Southward, M. Briffa (M. Borg), N. Baldacchino, J.P. Muscat (E. Borg), I. Chibueze, J. Abela, M. Cocks.

Mosta: J. Galea; M. Abela (L. Cilia), B. Agius, I. Bilocca, M. Borg (R. Deguara), S. Borg, P. Camilleri, M. Farrugia, B. Galea, S. Rufai, C. Tabone (M. Brincat).

Referee: Marco Borg.

Man of the match: Jean Paul Muscat (Mqabba).

Vittoriosa Stars 2
San Gwann 2

Vittoriosa Stars came back from two goals down to win their second point of the season against an improved San Gwann side.

The Cottonera side were the better team on the day, dictating play for long stretches but found goalkeeper Justin Spiteri in tremendous form.

Vittoriosa should have taken the lead after three minutes when Larry Lagana pounced on a San Gwann back-pass but was blocked by Spiteri.

It was San Gwann who took the lead against the run of play on 15 minutes when from a Clayton Giordemaina free-kick, Danilo Doncic headed the ball home.

Vittoriosa were shocked and suddenly on 29 minutes they found themselves 2-0 down when Doncic was brought down in the area and Malcolm Buttigieg scored from the spot.

Vittoriosa applied the pressure and on 40 minutes Silvan Privitelli found Anywanna whose shot came off the post and from the rebound Cedric Sciberras made it 2-1.

It was all square on 51 minutes when Stephen Calleja was first on a Lagana corner-kick to slot home.

On 64 minutes, Spiteri did well to palm away Ivan Zammit's free-kick.

Seventeen minutes from time, San Gwann were reduced to ten men when Antonio Saliba was red carded for a second bookable offence.

Four minutes before the end, a Clint Cope found Trevor Thomas who was denied by Spiteri.

Vittoriosa: I. Cassar; I. Zammit, C. Sciberras, Sandro Calleja, J. Camilleri, D. Trakosopoulos (T. Thomas), Stephen Calleja (C. Cope), S. Privitelli, L. Lagana, U. Any-wanna, 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: Saviour Tanti.

Man of the match: Justin Spiteri (San Gwann).