Mqabba found little difficulty to beat Marsa. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Marsa 0
Mqabba 3

Mqabba put up a strong second-half performance to see of newly-promoted Marsa in the opening match of the 2016-17 Division One championship yesterday.

Clive Mizzi’s men were a cut above their opponents and could have won by an even bigger margin had they taken their chances that came their way.

Marsa started the game sprightly and after four minutes  Steve Meilak tried to lob the ball over the Mqabba goalkeeper but the ball finished just over the crossbar.

Ivan Casha’s side were playing a good passing game but it was Mqabba who scored against the run of play.

The clock marked 16 minutes when the Paul Chimezie was given time and space to head home from close in a Lyden Micallef cross.

Now it was all Mqabba and on 25 minutes a Claudio Calleja free-kick was well saved by Marsa goalkeeper Ryan Caruana with the aid of the woodwork.

On the half hour Mqabba came close to adding a second. It was another Chimezie header from close distance which finished just wide, this time from a Calleja corner.

Seven minutes later Marsa protested for a penalty as Luis Andre de Melo was brought down in the area by Mauro Bonnici but the referee waved play on.

In stoppage time, Gilbert Martin was unlucky to see his volley coming off the Mqabba bar.

Mqabba took just three minutes from restart to double their lead.

Chimezie sped into the Marsa box and after beating a couple of defenders fired past Caruana.

On 53 minutes Mqabba came close to putting the game to bed.

Arilson Mello da Silva sprinted on to a Calleja pass, rounded off the Marsa custodian but drifted too wide with the ball, giving time for Caruana to clear the danger.

Two minutes later the hard-working Chimezie wasted another good opportunity when he drove the ball wide from close range after a good run.

Marsa finally threatened on 67 minutes. Martin fed Meilak who hit a low shot that was well blocked by Jonathan Debono, the Mqabba goalkeeper.

A minute later Mqabba made sure of the points when Mello da Silva scored from an acute angle from 12 metres out.

Marsa were unlucky not to pull a goal back eight minutes from time when Yessous Camilleri was denied by the woodwork after he latched on to Meilak’s cross.

Marsa: R. Caruana, C. Cutajar, Y. Camilleri, R. Mifsud, B. Essiel, E. Vella (L. Micallef), L. Omerou, L. De Melo, S. Meilak, J. Farrugia (L. Scorfna), G. Martin.

Mqabba: J. Debono, M. Bonnici, A. Mello da Silva, C. Calleja, K. Cutajar, L. Vella Critien, A. Scicluna (G. Gesualdi), P. Chimezie (K. Azzopardi), Q. Bregman, G. Adamovic (L. Casha), L. Micallef.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Best Player: Paul Chimezie (Mqabba).

Division One and FA Trophy fixtures

Today
Tedesco Stadium: BOV Division One 6pm Żebbuġ Rangers vs Vittoriosa Stars; 8.15pm Sirens vs Għargħur.
Centenary Stadium: FA Trophy first round 6pm Mtarfa vs Xagħra United; 8.15pm Kirkop United vs Marsascala.
Kerċem Stadium: FA Trophy first round 6pm St Lawrence Spurs vs Żurrieq.
Sirens Stadium: FA Trophy first round 6pm Mdina Knights vs Victoria Hotspurs; 8.15pm Ta’ Xbiex vs Munxar Falcons.

Tomorrow
Centenary Stadium: BOV Division One 6pm Lija Athletic vs Melita; 8.15pm Fgura United vs Rabat Ajax.
Tedesco Stadium: BOV Division One 6pm Pieta Hotspurs vs Naxxar Lions; 8.15pm Senglea Athletic vs Qormi.
Gozo Stadium: FA Trophy first round 6pm Oratory Youths vs Dingli Swallows; 8pm Qala Saints vs Xewkija Tigers.
Luxol Stadium: FA Trophy first round 6pm Sta Luċija vs Kerċem Ajax; 8.15pm Sta Venera Lightnings vs SK Victoria Wanderers.