Mqabba 1
Żejtun Corinthians 2
Żejtun Corinthians made sure of playing Division One football for another year after beating bottom club Mqabba who should now be thinking of playing in a lower grade next season. In fact, this was Mqabba’s 12th defeat and they are still searching for their first win.
At first, goalmouth action was rather at a premium. But as the minutes ticked by Żejtun started to dictate matters. Oldi Majtara hit a grounder from the edge of the area which Mqabba keeper Kris Calleja covered well.
The Corinthians forged ahead four minutes later at the end of a well-worked move. Adrian Carabott beat Calleja from close range following some neat passing between Majtara, Edward Azzopardi and Kenneth Abela.
Mqabba responded with a Mauro Bonnici shot from the distance that was neutralised by keeper Jurgen Borg.
A minute from the break Żejtun made it 2-0, Carabott again slotting the ball home following some fine Azzopardi build-up.
Mqabba came back into the match four minutes from the restart thanks to a Claudio Calleja goal from a free-kick.
On 52 minutes they almost drew level when from another Calleja delivery, the ball was partially saved by Borg and from the rebound John Anegbe had his shot blocked by a defender and then cleared.
Mqabba continued to pile the pressure but found Borg in their way to preseve Żejtun’s slim lead.
Late on, Żejtun’s Karl Vassallo was shown a straight red for a bad foul on John Anegbe.
There were still a couple of minutes left on the clock but Mqabba lacked fire power to concede another defeat that all but signals their relegation to Division Two next season.
Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, J. Anegbe, D. Bonnici, R. Akande, M. Bonnici, A. Caligari, C. Calleja, J.P. Muscat (M. Sciortino), J. Okonkwo, M.A. Psaila (O. Farrugia).
Żejtun: J. Borg, E. Azzopardi, I. Kurtusic, K. Vassallo, D. Zahra, D. Mifsud, J. Spiteri, Z. Vukovic, O. Majtara (O. El Ghaoti), A. Carabott, K. Abela.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Man of the match: Adrian Cara-bott (Żejtun Corinthians).
Division Two results
Mgarr vs Sta Venera - 3-1
Żurrieq vs St Patrick - 2-0