Żejtun Corinthians 1
Mqabba 0

Mqabba have now lost their fourth game of the season and are the only side still without a win in six outings.

Despite playing for almost 30 minutes with a man more, they still found it hard to break down the organised Żejtun defence.

This defeat left Mqabba rooted to the bottom of the standings with only two points from six games, one behind Dingli Swallows and Birżebbuġa.

After three minutes an Adrian Carabott free-kick for Żejtun flew just wide but Joey Falzon’s team did not take long to go ahead.

Oldi Majtara latched on to a Dylan Zarb pass to beat Kris Calleja from close range.

Mqabba hit back with a David Azzopardi free-kick that was fisted away by Ranier Farrugia with the Żejtun defenders clearing the danger following a melee in the box.

Żejtun were dangerous in attack on 24 minutes with a similar move that led to Majtara’s goal earlier in the match. This time the Albanian’s effort rolled a whisker wide from goal.

Mqabba were unlucky on 34 minutes when Argentine winger Emiliano Lattes controlled the ball outside the area but his shot crashed against the upright with Farrugia beaten.

The game continued to be played at a high tempo and a Karl Vassallo shot from outside the Mqabba box was stopped by Calleja.

Mqabba came out more determined in the second half in their bid to level matters.

The Reds had to wait until the 65th minute to create an opening when Azzopardi received from Peter Anizoba but the midfielder’s shot from the edge of the area finished just wide.

Two minutes later, Żejtun were reduced to 10 men when Hamza Chaib was shown a second yellow card.

Mqabba continued to see more of the ball but Żejtun were defending well.

Azzopardi went close again when, 17 minutes from time, his low drive from the distance just missed the target.

Żejtun were playing a counter-attacking game and with 10 minutes to go, Majtara’s drive was off target.

In the final stages, Mqabba pushed more men upfield and resorted to long balls which were easy prey for the towering Farrugia as Żejtun held firm until the end.

Żejtun Corinthians: R. Farrugia, K. Abela, C. Magro, Z. Vukovic, D. Zahra, H. Chaib, D. Zarb (R. Farrugia), K. Vassallo, A. Carabott (B. Gockaj), O. Majtara, D. Cucciardi (K. Zahra).

Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, C. Cutajar (O. Buhagiar), J. Anegbe, M. Sciortino (M.A. Psaila), D. Azzopardi, M. Bonnici, C. Camoin, A. Williams (J.P. Muscat), P. Anizoba, E. Lattes.

Referee: Carl Frendo Cumbo.

Man of the match: Oldi Majtara (Żejtun Corinthians).

Standings