Mqabba 'swallow' bitter pill

Mqabba 0
Dingli Swallows 1

Dingli Swallows ousted Premier League strugglers Mqabba from the FA Trophy yesterday courtesy of a solitary goal netted towards the end of the first half through Christopher Ciappara. The goal landed the Division One side an unexpected quarter-final berth.

Mqabba, who dismissed Vittoriosa Stars in the previous round, were expected to continue with their mini-revival after registering their second win of their Premier League campaign in their last outing against Msida St Joseph.

The appointment of Borislav Giorev as new coach brought fresh hopes to the ailing side who look destined for a quick return to Division One football next season.

Yesterday, Mqabba had a chance to atone for a series of upsets in the top flight with victory over Dingli. Success for them would have meant that their name would have been in the hat for the next draw which will include the top teams of the Premier League as the domestic cup competition enters its final straight.

The Swallows deserved their win though as they were the better side during the first half and created a string of chances through which they could easily have established a more comfortable lead.

After the interval, Mqabba saw more of the ball and created some good scoring opportunities which could have yielded an equaliser.

With goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia stopping everything that came his way and the Swallows defence regrouping each time they were under pressure, Jesmond Zammit's side held on for qualification.

On 33 minutes, Formosa clipped the ball forward towards Anyanwu. Mqabba goalkeeper Calleja sought to clear but miscued his timing and had to race back towards his goal to stop the Nigerian striker from putting his team in front.

A minute later, Dingli worked out a slick move as Agius slipped a perfect pass towards Anyanwu who belted a low shot that just missed the target.

On 42 minutes, Dingli took the lead. Anyanwu profited from a loose ball in midfield before releasing Ciappara who beat the offside trap and hit a low shot past Calleja.

In added time, Dingli could have added a second goal as an Agius dipping shot shaved the post. Moments later Formosa's shot forced Calleja into a fine save.

After the interval, Mqabba introduced Lee Galea instead of Fabio Silva as Giorev sought to add more punch to his otherwise non-existent forward line that had failed to create any forays at goal during the opening half.

Mqabba's charge up front nearly paid dividends as Pereira was allowed time and space inside the penalty area but Farrugia was quick out of his blocks to dive at the striker's feet and stop the shot to avoid a likely equaliser.

With the clock ticking down, Mqabba were more conspicuous in their build-up towards the Dingli goal.

Substitute Morgan Onourah could have done better after controlling the ball inside the box but then miscued his shot... Dingli escaped unscathed.

Inside the last eight minutes of the encounter, Gatt Baldacchino towered high at the far post to meet a corner but his header bounced wide.

Two minutes from time, Zarb sent in an inswinging corner which had Farrugia stretched as the Swallows' no.1 palmed the ball over the woodwork to deny Mqabba.

With five minutes of added time to play, Mqabba pushed more men forward in a bid to force extra time. Briffa thought he had done enough to score for Mqabba but his fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area was neutralised by Farrugia.

At the other end, substitute Tabone could have sealed the issue for the Swallows when drifting down the length of the pitch but fired wide of the Mqabba goal.

Desperately hanging on to their slender lead, Dingli also opted for a late substitution to play for time as they waited impatiently for Alan Mario Sant's final whistle which propelled them to the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici ('75 E. Navarro), A. Busuttil, M. Briffa, F. Silva ('46 L. Galea), M. Pereira, C. Calleja, D. Zarb, M. Cocks, J. Mintoff ('61 M. Onourah), C. Gatt Baldacchino.

Dingli: J. Farrugia, F. Cauchi, R. Spiteri, C. Ciappara ('78 E. Casha), K. Formosa ('89 C. Tabone), V. Fiteni, C. Muscat, J. Agius ('90 D. Roe), J. Cachia, E. Farrugia, U. Anyanwu.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Scorer: Ciappara 42.

Yellow cards: Gatt Baldacchino, Farrugia, Formosa, Spiteri.