Exciting encounter ends all square

St George's 2
Mqabba 2

St George's and Mqabba fought out an exciting draw in a match that could have easily produced more goals.

Both teams adopted attacking tactics with John Paul Muscat and Paul Chimezie leading Mqabba's charge while at the other end Emerson Amaira and Heathcliffe Schembri were excellent for the Cottonera side.

In the end, the draw was a fair result even though both teams will be disappointed to have lost precious ground on pacesetters St Patrick and Vittoriosa.

St.George's immediately forged ahead when after a minute's play assistant referee Edward Spiteri flagged to indicate that Pierre Grima had brought down Mark Gauci in the area. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Glenn Bonello converted the penalty.

Mqabba hit back and drew level on 20 minutes when Muscat controlled the ball and fired a fine turning shot that gave no chance to Saints keeper Thomas Galea.

The Saints responded on 34 minutes when John Nwoba's drive flashed just wide.

On 38 minutes Mqabba took the lead when Mauro Bonnici headed home a Mead Mifsud's free-kick.

But St George's drew level on 47 minutes when Mark Gauci exchanged the ball with Bonello before burying the ball home.

On 73 minutes Chimezie headed just wide from a Michael Camilleri cross.

Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja saved the result for his team when he effected a point-blank save to keep out Iro Curmi's close range effort that looked destined to hit the net.

St George's
T. Galea, A. Bonello (V. Camilleri), E. Degabriele, E. Sevasta, J. Nwoba, M Gauci (I. Curmi) E. Amaira, B. Fenech, H. Schembri, G. Bonello, L. Grima.

Mqabba
K. Calleja, J. Debattista, M. Bonnici (M. Camilleri), P. Grima, S. Magro, D. Azzopardi, J.P. Muscat, P. Chimezie, P. Borg, J. Zammit (M. Borg Olivier), M. Mifsud (E. Borg).

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Man of the Match: John Paul Muscat (Mqabba).