Mqabba go second
Mqabba 2Msida SJ 0 Mqabba joined Mosta and St George’s in second place in the Division One standings after they eased past struggling Msida St Joseph. The Saints, despite strengthening their squad with a couple of new signings, seem to have a tough...
Mqabba 2
Msida SJ 0
Mqabba joined Mosta and St George’s in second place in the Division One standings after they eased past struggling Msida St Joseph.
The Saints, despite strengthening their squad with a couple of new signings, seem to have a tough task on their hands to move away from the relegation zone.
Clive Mizzi’s side, who have picked up just one point from their last three matches, look back on track with John Paul Muscat again in inspirational form.
Mqabba’s strong squad, which is blended with class and experience, should make them one of the front-runners for promotion come May.
It was Mqabba keeper Kris Calleja who made the first intervention of the afternoon when after five minutes he did well to keep out Jonathan Mifsud’s looping header.
Mqabba responded seven minutes later when the unmarked Thiago Do Santos Mazitelli was picked by Muscat, and the Brazilian saw his shot pushed away by Jeremy Alden, the Msida keeper.
On 20 minutes, Alden was again called to keep out Claudio Calleja’s shot after the latter combined well with Muscat and Mazitelli.
Mqabba’s pressure finally paid off on 24 minutes when Mark Anthony Psaila’s volley was blocked by a defender with Marlon Briffa picking up the rebound and ramming the ball past Alden.
Twelve minutes later, Mqabba suffered a blow when Mazitelli limped off injured.
But that failed to stop Mqabba from continuing to press forward and on the stroke of half-time James Shead’s shot finished just wide.
After the break, Msida showed signs of improvement and on 54 minutes Godfrey Enyi was put through on goal by Vincent Turè but the Saints player saw his shot blocked by Calleja.
Two minutes later Mqabba could have added a second when Sean Magro worked well on to the right flank before sending a teasing cross that was just missed by the unmarked Briffa.
However, that was just a temporary reprieve for Msida as on 78 minutes Branislav Timotic made it 2-0 when he rammed the ball home from a Muscat corner.
Mqabba could have further added to their lead but first Shead fired just wide from close in and then Muscat shot over from routine distance.
Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, M. Bonnici, B. Timotic, M.A. Psaila, M. Briffa, T. Mazitelli (J. Shead), C. Calleja, J.P. Muscat (M. Anastasi), J. Debattista, S. Magro.
Msida SJ: J. Alden; A. Farrugia, L. Micallef, N. Curmi, J. Mifsud, J. D’Amato (R. Caruana), M. Borda, V. Ture, G. Enyi (M. Curtis), J. Delia, V. Alinho.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri .
Player of the match: John Paul Muscat (Mqabba).