Balzan Youths 1
Mqabba 2
Former Birkirkara midfielder Martin Anastasi came off the bench to seal Mqabba's comeback win in a Group Two qualifier against Balzan.
Goalkeeper Kris Calleja produced two outstanding saves late on to preserve victory for Mqabba who finished the match with 10 men after Patrick Borg was sent off 20 minutes from time.
This was the first match from the Division One KO as Saturday's fixtures were postponed in the wake of the unexpected changes brought about by the demotion of Vittoriosa Stars and Marsaxlokk.
Mqabba had newcomers Patrick Borg (ex-Birkirkara), Mark Gauci (Floriana), Glenn Barry (Lija), Omar Grech (Tarxien) and Vilson Caushi (Rabat) in their starting team while Elliot Navarro, who played for Msida last season, and Anastasi were among the substitutes.
Besides player-coach David Carabott, Balzan have signed Jonathan Francica and Renie Forace from Valletta, Peter Anizoba from St Patrick and Simon Aquilina, formerly of Senglea.
Balzan had the better of the early exchanges. They were unlucky on 10 minutes when Aaron Agius's shot from the edge of the area hit the post.
Five minutes later, Clayton Caruana put Balzan ahead with a shot from just inside the Mqabba box.
Mqabba pushed forward in search of an equaliser. On the half-hour mark Bobby Giorev's side came close but Barry's volley came off the woodwork.
Mqabba managed to equalise before half-time when Carabott headed the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear away Caushi's centre.
After the change of ends, Mqabba's John Paul Muscat was foiled by Joshua Galea and, at the other end, Agius sprinted through but Calleja was alert.
Mqabba looked to have suffered a hammer blow when Borg was dismissed for two bookable offences but Giorev's team struck the winner 10 minutes from time.
Caushi played a neat one-two with Shawn Magro whose cross was headed home by Anastasi.
Balzan tried to save the match but efforts by Anizoba and Forace brought superb saves from Calleja.
Balzan: J. Galea, I. Zammit, J. Francica, D. Carabott, R. Forace, B. Bondin, C. Caruana (D. Fenech), L. Gregory (G.Tanti), P. Anizoba, S. Aquilina, A. Agius (T. Thomas).
Mqabba: K. Calleja, P. Borg, M.A. Psaila, S. Magro, M. Gauci (M. Anastasi), G. Barry (E. Navarro), C. Calleja, J.P. Muscat, C. Farrugia, O. Grech, V. Caushi (J. Fenech).
Referee: Clayton Pisani.
St Patrick 1
San Ġwann 1
Holders St Patrick figured in a 1-1 draw against a rejuvenated San Ġwann side in a Group One qualifier yesterday.
In a quiet early-season outing for both teams, San Ġwann saw more of the ball, especially in the opening half.
Alfred Attard's St Patrick tried to play the offside game but were caught off guard a few times, especially by San Ġwann striker Steve Pisani who was always quick on the break.
Pisani only took a couple of minutes to trouble St Patrick for the first time as he broke through before rounding goalkeeper Sean Mintoff only to see his shot blocked.
San Ġwann continued to dictate matters and it was Pisani who, on 12 minutes, was denied by Mintoff.
In the first half, St Patrick were only dangerous on 33 minutes when a Thomas Caruana free-kick ended wide.
The match intensity dropped after half-time with St Patrick showing more purpose in attack.
On 62 minutes, the returning Gordon Failla had a free-kick finishing just over the San Ġwann bar. But three minutes later, St Patrick's Ryan Mifsud handled the ball in the box and Lee Cumbo beat Mintoff from the penalty spot.
St Patrick drew level with 13 minutes remaining.
Quincy Bergman committed a handball inside his own box and Caruana sent Justin Spiteri the wrong way from the spot to make it one-all.
Straight from the restart, San Ġwann substitute Ryan Zammit almost restored his team's lead but his shot flashed wide of the post after a fine solo move.
St Patrick: S. Mintoff, S. Dimech, I. Scicluna (A. Ellul), D. Gauci, Y. Tonna (B. Bugeja), K. Micallef (R. Cassar), L. Sciberras, G. Failla, R. Mifsud, M. Pullicino, T. Caruana.
San Ġwann: J. Spiteri, Q. Bergman, M. Caruana, N. Curmi, L. Cumbo (M. Francica) A. Borg, C. Cuschieri (L. Bonnet), F. Aboulezz, R. Sell, C. Gatt (R. Zammit), S. Pisani.
Referee: Chris Lautier.