Spoils shared in balanced match

Mqabba 1
Vittoriosa Stars 1

Mqabba and Vittoriosa Stars took a point apiece after drawing an open and balanced encounter that ought to have produced more than two goals. The game was a good advert for first division football with both sides giving an early indication of their credentials to challenge for promotion.

Mqabba were the first to pose a threat when, in the 14th minute, Paul Chimezie slalomed his way into the Vittoriosa box but failed to drive the ball past Juergen Micallef.

Barely a minute later, Vittoriosa's Anthony Eviparker suffered the same fate as he was thwarted by Kris Calleja's fine interception after a measured pass from Ndubisi Chukunyere.

The former Hibs forward had a free-kick saved by Calleja on 24 minutes while at the other end, Michael Borg Olivier missed a glorious opportunity when he just failed to make contact with Chimezie's cross.

As the first half moved on, Mqabba increased their attacking tempo. The active Chimezie dribbled his way through before squaring to Shawn Magro whose effort was saved by Micallef. Mqabba then fluffed another fine chance when Larry Lagana missed his clearance but Borg Olivier, unmarked, played a poor pass to Magro instead of shooting.

Nine minutes from half-time, Vittoriosa were unlucky when Eviparker's shot was blocked by Calleja and from the rebound, Kenneth Abela's effort was belted off the line by Mauro Bonnici.

Vittoriosa managed to storm ahead five minutes before the break. Abela crossed for Eviparker whose header hit the crossbar only for Chukunyere to pass the ball again to his fellow countryman who made no mistake from close range.

Mqabba went all out to level matters in the second half and after only 20 seconds, Chimezie had a grounder going inches wide. Kurt Zammit responded for the Stars but his header went wide.

Exactly on the hour Magro passed to Borg Olivier who slotted the ball home for Mqabba's equaliser. Mqabba now tried to go for the jugular and on 66 minutes, Borg Olivier just failed to reach a good Chimezie cross.

Ten minute later, Eviparker's scissor-kick just missed the target from close in. Both teams desperately tried to find a winner but the defences held firm. In stoppage time, Mqabba's Pierre Grima was dismissed after he received a second yellow card.

Mqabba
K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Bonnici, M.A. Psaila, D. Azzopardi, S. Magro (G. Tanti), C. Calleja, M. Mifsud (M. Catania), J.P. Muscat, M. Borg Olivier, P. Chimezie.

Vittoriosa
J. Micallef, A. Eviparker, S. Calleja, R. Adami, K. Zammit, L. Lagana (D. Gauci), J. Spiteri, N. Chukunyere, K. Abela (H. Hughes), S. Privitelli, J. Camilleri (C. Camilleri).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Scorers: Eviparker 40; Borg Olivier 60.

Red card: Grima (M) 90.

Man of the match: Paul Chimezie (Mqabba).