Mqabba 2
Fgura United 0

Two late goals sent Mqabba top of the table, at least for 24 hours as Melita, who also have 12 points, play against Gżira United today.

A Douglas Da Silva Silveira shot from outside the area was stopped by the Fgura keeper as Mqabba started the match in attack.

But Fgura came more into the picture and on 18 minutes Ruiz Perez powered his way through only to be foiled by Mark Anthony Psaila’s timely tackle.

A minute later it was Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja who pulled off a superb save to deny Andre Bugeja.

Leslie Burke’s team then went close when De Freitas’s header, from a Da Silva Silveira free-kick, finished just over the Fgura bar.

Mqabba should have taken the lead before half-time when Claudio Calleja received from De Freitas but keeper Marmara was on the right spot to save the shot.

Fgura suffered a blow midway through the second half when Joseph Farrugia was red-carded for shoving Claudio Calleja.

Mqabba immediately made their extra man count as, on 77 minutes, De Freitas hit home from Da Silva Silveira’s cross.

Four minutes later, Mqabba were also reduced to 10 men as De Freitas was sent off for retaliation.

But substitute Peter Taiye eased Mqabba’s nerves when he picked the ball outside the box and placed his shot beyond the keeper’s reach.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, R. Da Silva Gomes, M.A. Psaila, C. Micallef, B. Grech (K. Falzon), G. Suarez Guedes de Freitas, C. Calleja (A. Cassar), K. Cutajar, D. Da Silva Silveira (P. Taiye), J. Fenech.

Fgura: R. Marmara, Q. Bregman, R. Previ, J. Ruiz Perez, J. Bugeja, I. Curmi (D. Attard), J. Farrugia, A. Farrugia (R. Galea), P. Chircop, A. Williams, R. Emeka.

Referee: Stefan Pace.

Man of the match: Douglas Da Silva Silveira (Mqabba).

Msida St Joseph 0
Vittoriosa Stars 3

Vittoriosa returned to winning ways after two successive draws, beating Msida 3-0 as the Saints slumped to their fourth defeat.

Msida conceded two goals, both penalties, in the space of five second-half minutes. They also had a player sent off which all but shattered their comeback hopes.

Anthony Eviparker started for Vittoriosa, returning to the side after several seasons, while goalkeeper Matthew Camilleri made his first appearance for the Saints.

The first attempt at goal came on 14 minutes when Carlos Campagnoli headed wide from a corner. Six minutes later, Eviparker hit a scorcher from a tight angle with Camilleri producing a smart save.

Msida came close on 35 minutes when Stacy Vella released Ferreirra da Costa but his effort came off the upright. At the other end, Gilbert Martin just missed the target after some good work by Eviparker.

A minute into the second half a Ricardo Silva Faria free-kick finished just wide.

Vittoriosa then protested for a penalty when a Martin drive from outside the box seemed to have hit Gianluca Vella’s hands.

Karl Sammut fired just wide from a good position and on 53 minutes the Stars were awarded a penalty when Vella tripped Eviparker. Vittorio Di Maggio opened the scoring from the spot.

Five minutes later, Vittoriosa were awarded another penalty when Martin was floored by Vella who was sent off. Di Maggio converted his second penalty.

Msida were stunned and on 79 minutes Eviparker rounded the score when running to meet Mitogo’s pass before hammering home from close range.

Msida: M. Camilleri, M. Ferreira da Costa, Y. De Jesus Messias, D. Cachia, R. Forace, D. Attard, G. Vella, S. Vella, M. Borda, R. Faria, I. Chircop (L. Micallef).

Vittoriosa: K. Magri, L. Vella Critien (R. Mifsud), J. Camilleri, K. Scicluna, C.M. Buttigieg, C. Campagnoli, M. Barbara, K. Sammut, V. Di Maggio (D. Mitogo), G. Martin (L. Gauci), A. Eviparker.

Referee: Jude Amin Utulu.

Man of the match: Carlos Campagnoli (Vittoriosa).

Standings