Swallows punish wasteful St George’s

St George’s 1
Dingli Swallows 2

Dingli bounced back from the 3-0 drubbing to Mqabba when they beat the more-quoted St George’s.

The Saints have only themselves to blame for ending on the losing side after a very poor performance, particularly in attack where they messed up some open chances with Mark Barbara wasting a host of opportunities.

St George’s had beaten St Andrew’s in their previous outing. Yesterday, they threatened to gain an early lead but Glenn Bonello’s cross was missed by a whisker by Barbara.

Barbara then curled the ball just wide after being served by Dylan Zarb and on 18 minutes Terrence Farrugia hit badly with only the Dingli keeper to beat.

Dingli weathered the storm and on 28 minutes, a Chris Ciappara grounder was saved in style by Thomas Galea.

Two minutes later, the Swallows forged ahead. Luke Stivala lost possession in his own box and Christopher Azzopardi was quick to release Ciappara who slotted home.

The Saints were seeing more of the ball but had to wait until 10 minutes after the restart to test the Dingli keeper again. However, a long-range effort by substitute Leroy Bonett was neutralised by Jeffrey Farrugia.

Farrugia was on the right spot to keep out a Gary Inguanez free-kick on 69 minutes and Barbara missed his second sitter of the day when failing to hit home from close in following a Bonett delivery.

St George’s, however, were rewarded for their pressure on 71 minutes. Inguanez’s cross was handled by Shawn Tellus in the box and from the penalty, Bonello sent Farrugia the wrong way.

Barbara was again found wanting in attack when failing miserably from an ideal scoring position and Joey Falzon’s team were made to pay as eight minutes from time, Dingli hit the winner.

Azzopardi embarked on a fine run from the middle and after beating the challenge of some defenders, he rifled the ball into the net.

St George’s: T. Galea, B. Fenech, L. Stivala (C. Grech), N. Caruana, E. Sevasta, T. Farrugia (L. Bonett), A. Bonello (D.Zahra), G. Inguanez, M. Barbara, D. Zarb, G. Bonello.

Dingli: J. Farrugia, S. Zampa, S. Tellus, R. Spiteri (J. Camilleri), R. Vella, C. Ciappara (J. Sapiano), K. Formosa, E. Farrugia, R. Briffa, C. Azzopardi, C. Sammut (K. Sammut).

Referee: Fiodor Zammit.

Mqabba 1
St Andrew’s 0

Substitute James Shead scored a stoppage-time winner for Mqabba who have closed in on a place in the semi-finals of this competition.

The first 45 minutes offered little of note with play mostly condensed in midfield and very few shots at goal. The early stages had been encouraging though as, after six minutes, St Andrew’s were unlucky when a Jack Pallen shot hit the bar with keeper Kris Calleja beaten.

St Andrew’s Kurt Galea failed to hit the target with a shot and Nicky Vella Petroni was a second too late as he ran to reach an inviting ball inside the opponents’ box.

At least, the few spectators at the Ħamrun ground witnessed a better show after the break.

Mqabba’s Shaun Magro was almost in line to reach a Mazitelli delivery and on 52 minutes, Magro sprinted inside the Saints’ half but his drive was saved by keeper Ibrahim.

Ibrahim was again alert on 70 minutes when he stopped a Mazitelli effort. But, minutes later Mazitelli was stretchered off the field after falling badly.

When all looked set for the first goalless draw of the competition, Shead, who had replaced Mazitelli, did well to control the ball on the edge of the area and beat Ibrahim with a low drive.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, P. Grima, B. Timotic, D. Azzopardi, T. Mazitelli (J. Shead), C. Calleja (I. Curmi), J.P. Muscat, C. Cuschieri (M.A. Psaila), J. Debattista, S. Magro.

St Andrew’s: D. Ibrahim, J. Bugeja, R. Hartvig, M. Borg, J. Briscoe White, N. Chetcuti, M. Valenzia, K. Galea (K. Coleiro), N. Vella Petroni (E. Grima), J. Pallen, P. Briscoe White (G. Fenech).

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Standings
Group One: Lija 7 pts; Mosta 4; Melita 3; Balzan 2; Msida 0.
Group Two: Mqabba 9 pts; St George’s, Dingli 3; St Andrew’s, Pietà 1.