Ten-man Mqabba overcome St George’s

St George’s 1
Mqabba 3

Mqabba showed remarkable resilience as they overcame the sending-off of David Azzopardi to turn the tables on fellow promotion hopefuls St George’s who had taken a 36th-minute lead.

St George’s badly missed the towering presence of striker Glenn Bonello while Mqabba gave a debut to Advan Cakigi and Wilson Caushi. The latter has returned for a second spell with the team coached by Clive Mizzi.

Inside the first minute, Mqabba’s Caushi came close but his drive from the edge of the area just missed the target. Two minutes later, Mqabba threatened again as Marlon Briffa’s first-time effort finished over the crossbar following a cross from John Paul Muscat.

St George’s produced their first notable attack in the sixth minute when Ruiz passed to the unmarked Dylan Zarb who sprinted forward but shot inches wide from an acute angle.

On 20 minutes, Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja took a big risk when he tried to dribble Mark Barbara. Having been partially dispossessed, Calleja was forced to make a tackle to stop Barbara but the loose ball fell to Gary Inguanez who immediately aimed a shot at goal but the Mqabba goalkeeper made up for his mistake with a good save.

A good move between Caushi and Cakigi set up Claudio Calleja whose fine grounder was saved by Thomas Galea, the St George’s goalkeeper. Ten minutes from half-time, Ruiz used his pace to run through the Mqabba defence but his progression was stopped by Azzopardi’s late challenge. The Mqabba defender was sent off for his offence.

The Saints took immediate advantage as Inguanez’s drive came off Pierre Grima’s hands. A penalty was given and from the 11 metres, Ruiz’s drive was pushed away by Calleja but the St George’s forward headed home from the rebound.

Just before half-time, Mqabba’s Branislav Timotic did well to get in front of Barbara and clear the ball away after Zarb had delivered an inviting cross.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Mqabba drew level on 55 minutes. Cakigi cut in from the right and served Muscat who buried the ball home from close range. Two minutes later, a Caushi free-kick was saved by Galea.

Mqabba forged ahead on 63 minutes when the unmarked Briffa hit past Galea from an inviting position after receiving a good cross from Calleja.

The Saints tried to produce a comeback. Benoir Fenech’s drive hit the side-netting but, as St George’s pushed more men forward, Mqabba were finding more space up front. Briffa was denied by Galea but two minutes from time Mqabba sealed the issue when Calleja scored with a brilliant free-kick.

St George’s: T. Galea, L. Agius, L. Stivala (T. Farrugia), B. Fenech (N. Caruana), A. Bonello, E. Sevasta, E. Amaira, G. Inguanez (R. Sell), D. Zarb, J. Ruiz, M. Barbara.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Bonnici, B. Timotic, M.A. Psaila (I. Curmi), M. Briffa, D. Azzopardi, C. Calleja (J. Shead), J.P. Muscat (M. Grioli), A. Cakigi, W. Caushi.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Man of the match: Claudio Calleja (Mqabba).

Dingli Swallows 1
Lija Athletic 0

Lija Athletic missed the chance to join Mqabba in second place and close the gap on leaders Balzan Youths after suffering a surprise defeat to strugglers Dingli Swallows.

Admir Dzanovic was back in the fray for Lija while Leontiev Konda made his debut for Dingli.

Lija enjoyed more possession and missed a few sitters but Dingli’s win was merited as they battled bravely and also created some chances of their own.

With this victory, Dingli have made an important step towards avoiding relegation as they are now 10 points clear of bottom side Msida St Joseph.

Lija might have gone ahead in the first minute but Wayne Borg St John’s volley brought a fine save from Mark Abela, the Dingli goalkeeper. Thereafter, most of the exchanges took place in midfield.

On 27 minutes, Dingli’s Chris Ciappara hit a grounder that was easily saved by Luke Bonnici. On the half hour, Dingli’s Clayton Caruana suffered an injury and was substituted by Joreilly Chirino. Three minutes later, a Keith Darmanin free-kick for Lija was saved by Abela.

Three minutes from half-time, Dingli Swallows scored what proved to be the winner thanks to debutant Konda who beat Bonnici with a ferocious drive. Dingli could have doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time when Chirino sprinted into the Lija box but his effort was kept out by Bonnici.

Lija began the second half in aggressive mode, pinning their opponents in their own half. They had two goals disallowed for offside and a handsball early on. In the 65th minute, Dingli came out of their defensive shell and Andrew Vella’s long-range shot ended just wide.

Three minutes later, Dingli should have added to their lead when Vella’s perfect pass found substitute Jonathan Sapiano but his attempt was blocked by a Lija defender. The ball again fell to Sapiano who blasted wide.

Dingli continued to be dangerous with some surging breakaways but a minute into injury time, Lija almost snatched an equaliser. Daniel Scerri’s cross reached Dzanovic who fired wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Moments later, Dingli’s Abela denied Lija when stopping Antoine Sacco’s effort from close in.

Dingli: M. Abela, K. Pace, R. Sammut, S. Tellus, A. Vella, C. Ciappara, L. Konda, E. Farrugia, C. Caruana (J. Chirino), R. Briffa, C. Azzopardi (J. Sapiano).

Lija: L. Bonnici, A. Saliba, D. Scerri, A. Sacco, M. Potezica, W. Borg St John, K. Darmanin, A. Scicluna, A. Dzanovic, B. Antignolo (M. Camilleri), M. Fleri Soler.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Man of the match: Leontiev Konda (Dingli).