Farrugia saves Msida's day

Mqabba 2
Pereira 24 pen., 43
Msida St Joseph 2
Camilleri 26, Farrugia 90

A pressure-free encounter between two teams who enjoyed contrasting fortunes in their fight against relegation developed into an interesting match, particularly in the second half.

Bottom team Mqabba looked on course to record only their fourth win this season when, with only stoppage time left to play, they led Msida St Joseph 2-1 but the latter staged a late rescue act thanks to an unstoppable free-kick by Tyrone Farrugia.

Having steered his team to Premier League survival with plenty to spare, Msida coach Patrick Curmi drafted several fringe players in his starting line-up, the likes of Clive Spiteri, Stacey Vella, Lydon Micallef and Gilbert Camilleri as the likes of Cameroonian striker Priso Doding, Pedro Dos Santos, Stefano Grima and Adrian Farrugia figured among the substitutes.

Bobby Giorev, the Bulgarian coach of already-relegated Mqabba, had no particular selection worries for his side's penultimate match among the elite before they return to the more familiar habitat that is Division One football next season.

Scoring opportunities proved something of a rarity for much of the opening 20 minutes. In the initial stages, Marcelo Pereira, Mqabba's Brazilian striker, directed a low shot towards goal but Matthew Camilleri, yesterday deputising for Manuel Bartolo who was not even named in the 18-man squad, effected a one-handed save to avert the danger.

On 18 minutes, Msida appealed for a penalty when Italo Donizete Nogueira appeared to slide into the legs of Gilberto Dos Santos but referee Marco Borg allowed play to continue.

Six minutes later, Borg did point to the spot but at the other end of the pitch after Msida defender Clive Spiteri was adjudged to have made a late tackle on Marlon Briffa just inside the box. Pereira drilled a powerful shot from the penalty spot past Camilleri and into the top corner of the net to give Mqabba a 1-0 advantage.

Mqabba's joy was short-lived as Msida drew level barely two minutes later. Micallef's low cross from the right found the Mqabba defence at sixes and sevens as the unmarked Gilbert Camilleri positioned his body perfectly to hit an excellent first-time volley into the net.

With two minutes of the first half remaining, Mqabba went 2-1 up. A quick attack by Mqabba saw Fabio Silva advancing on the left before he attempted a cross that was deflected goalwards by Msida defender Kenneth Spiteri. Camilleri managed to spare his team-mate's blushes by saving his dangerous clearance but the Msida goalkeeper could not hold the ball and Pereira was on hand to pounce on the rebound and score from close range.

With both teams showing an inclination to push forward whenever in possession, the entertainment value of the game improved after the break.

Mqabba were the brisker side in the early stages of the second half with Briffa, Matthew Cocks, and the incoming Elliott Navarro combining well in the middle.

The introduction of Doding for Laurence Mizzi, who had been anonymous during his time on the pitch, was meant that imbue Msida's play with flair and speed.

Msida might have drawn level on 64 minutes when Pio Sciriha's punt from the middle was deflected towards Micallef in the box but his attempt at goal was blocked by Mark Anthony Psaila.

Gilberto's curling free-kick for Msida sailed wide of the far post. Six minutes from time, Doding breezed past two Mqabba defenders as he sped into the box but his final shot was deflected away from goal.

Mqabba threatened to kill off Msida late on but Briffa just failed to connect with Navarro's headed service. Reprieved, Msida made the most of their good fortune when Farrugia grabbed a late equaliser with a pulverising shot from a free-kick.

Mqabba
K. Calleja-6, M. Bonnici-6.5, A. Busuttil-6, I.D. Nogueira-4 ('46 E. Navarro-6), M.A. Psaila-6, M. Briffa-7, F. Silva-5.5 ('79 J. Fenech), M. Pereira-7.5, M. Cocks-6.5, C. Gatt Baldacchino-6, R. Briffa-6.

Msida
M. Camilleri-5.5 ('65 J. Vella-6), P. Sciriha-6.5, K. Spiteri-5, S. Vella-5, C. Spiteri-5.5, T. Farrugia-6, D. Cachia-6, L. Mizzi-4 ('61 P. Doding-6), L. Micallef-6.5, G. Camilleri-6 ('80 P. Dos Santos Calcado), G. Dos Santos-4.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Yellow cards: Gatt Baldacchino.

BoV Player of the match: Marcelo Pereira (Mqabba).