Marsaxlokk 2
Effiong 50; Raimy 64;
Vittoriosa Stars 2
Jorge Santos 21, 61;

Marsaxlokk missed out on the chance to secure a place in the Championship Pool after being held to a 2-2 draw by Vittoriosa Stars.

Victory would have confirmed Marsaxlokk’s presence in the top six but now they will be anxious spectators at this afternoon’s match between Qormi and Birkirkara where a win for the latter or a draw would see the Southerners through.

On the other hand, victory for Qormi today would leave Marsa-xlokk facing up the prospect of a decisive final second-round match against the same Yellow-Blacks.

The Stars left the Ħamrun ground with a point after showing their best football in the initial stages but after taking the lead Winston Muscat’s side found themselves hanging on with Alfred Effiong once more a prominent figure for Marsaxlokk who ended the game with 10 men following Rumen Galabov’s red card on the hour mark.

The one-match ban imposed on Peter Pullicino and Trevor Templeman forced Marsaxlokk into two changes from the Hibs victory.

Galabov and Gary Caruana deputised for the suspended duo as Patrick Curmi opted for a more conservative 4-4-1-1 set-up, a justified choice given that the last time they faced Vittoriosa, Marsaxlokk were knocked out of the FA Trophy.

Leighton Grech was preferred to Alan Tabone in the only change to Vittoriosa’s starting line-up. The nippy midfielder may have been in unconvincing form of late but gave Andrew Spiteri a torrid time all game as skipper Carlo Mamo pushed into midfield to offer extra cover on that flank.

The Southseasiders were lucky to escape danger in the fifth minute when Grech sped down the flank but was hauled down by Spiteri who was booked.

Marsaxlokk were still chasing shadows until the 21st minute when Grech, cutting in from the left, drew his man before playing in Jorge Santos Silva who controlled on the turn before firing home.

Yet, five minutes later, Vittoriosa were caught out at the back with Effiong running on to a throughball and Wellman was lucky not to concede a penalty when he appeared to bring down the Nigerian.

Keeper Simon Agius was replaced by Jean Vella after 41 minutes. In an early sign of busier times to come, the young substitute was called into action almost immediately, smothering the effort from Effiong after a floating ball had bypassed the Stars defence.

Marsaxlokk re-emerged like men on a mission and Effiong levelled matters on 50 minutes. The goal, no less than Effiong’s sparkling performance merited, was a study in simplicity, Deanov slipping in with an incisive touch from the edge of the area and the Nigerian lashing home at the near post.

The duo combined again five minutes later but Vella showed stunning reactions to tip over the bar Effiong’s effort.

But Marsaxlokk were then reduced to 10 men when Galabov saw red for a second bookable offence. And the Southseasiders’ night took a further turn for the worst when Jorge Silva picked himself up and scored with a thunderous 20-metre strike from the ensuing free-kick.

In reply, Marsaxlokk equalised three minutes later. Deanov lofted the ball over the Vittoriosa wall to Effiong. He fed the advancing Florent Raimy whose side-foot shot found the back of the net.

But, Vittoriosa soon stepped up their efforts and caused several moments of anxiety inside the Mar-saxlokk box with winger Luis Edison keeping the Blues’ defence alert as he took any chance he had to run at goal.

In an enthralling finale, it was backs-to-the-wall stuff for Marsa-xlokk as they held Vittoriosa at bay.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci-6, M. Licari-5 (81 S. Eboh), A. Spiteri-5, R. Galabov, E. Yanchev-5, F. Raimy-6, G. Sciberras-6, G. Caruana-5 (65 Guerreiro Gravata-5), C. Mamo-5 (87’ R. Darmanin), M. Deanov-7, A. Effiong-7.

Vittoriosa Stars: S. Agius-5 (41 J. Vella-6), C. Micallef-6.5, M. Maccari-6.5, K. Sammut-5, J. Chetcuti-6, L. Edison-6, R. Grech-6.5, J. Santos Silva-7.5, A. Ewurum-4.5 (76 A. Tabone), S. Wellman-5.5, L. Grech-7.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Yellow cards: Spiteri, Raimy, Santos Silva, Deanov, Sciberras, Guerreiro ­Gravata.

Red card: Galabov (M) 60.

BOV player of the match: Jorge Santos Silva (Vittoriosa Stars).

Attendance: 249.

The other matches this weekend…

Birkirkara vs Qormi (today at 2 p.m., National Stadium)

Fourth-placed Birkirkara will be looking to close the gap to the top teams when they take on Championship Pool hopefuls Qormi.

The Stripes are still way off the same level of consistency of last season and currently trail leaders Valletta by a staggering 14 points.

However, back-to-back victories injected some much needed optimism in Paul Zammit’s team and three more points today will keep alive their hopes of a late push for the honours.

Birkirkara wingback Joseph Zerafa must serve a one-match ban today. Trevor Cilia is still out with hamstring trouble and Michael Galea remains doubtful.

The Stripes could parade latest recruit Olalekan Babatune for this match but only if his international documents arrive in time from the Italian federation. The Nigerian striker played for Nocerina before coming to Malta.

Besides having Michael Mifsud in the team for the first time, this match holds huge significance for Qormi in their quest for a top-six berth.

The Yellow-Blacks are two points behind the sixth-placed team and victory over the champions could put them in a stronger position ahead of the last round of fixtures before the second phase.

Mifsud will surely lift Qormi today as the team is also boosted with the return of Cleaven Frendo and Matthew Bartolo from suspension.

First round result: Qormi vs Birkirkara 0-2.

Valletta vs Ħamrun Spartans (today at 4 p.m., National Stadium)

After inspiring his new club Valletta to an impressive 4-1 win over Sliema Wanderers last week, Ryan Fenech is now set to face his former club Ħamrun in one of the most-awaited matches of the weekend programme.

Fenech caught the headlines after his transfer to the capital last month and he more than vindicated the Citizens’ faith in him with a five-star display against the Wanderers which was highlighted with two well-taken goals, one in each half.

Valletta coach Jesmond Zerafa is expected to give a debut to Brazilian striker Andrade Antunes Anderson who joined the club for the rest of the season earlier this week.

Nigerian Omonigo Temile returns from suspension while Jamie Pace is set for a recall after recovering from a minor injury.

While the Citizens are thriving, the same cannot be said of the Spartans who suffered four successive defeats in recent weeks.

In midweek, the Spartans registered Bulgarian midfielder Nikolai Chipev who is expected to make his first appearance for his new club today.

Ħamrun coach Steve D’Amato must check the condition of Scottish striker Dene Shields following his surprise appearance in the 3-2 upset to Marsaxlokk. Defender Roderick Fenech is out with a thigh injury.

First round result: Ħamrun Spartans vs Valletta 0-2.

Floriana vs Sliema Wanderers (tomorrow at 2 p.m, Hibs Stadium)

Floriana will be looking to put behind them a turbulent week when facing Old Firm rivals Sliema Wanderers, now led by former Greens coach Danilo Doncic.

Last weekend, Floriana’s strong run came to a sudden halt after a 3-1 defeat to Tarxien.

Just one day later, their troubles deepened when club president Johann Said tendered his resignation after a rift with his fellow committee members.

Reports said other resignations followed as the club was holding an extraordinary general meeting last night.

Coach Todor Raykov is hopeful of having Daniel Nwoke available after missing the Greens’ last match due to injury. Midfielder Pablo Doffo returns from suspension but Tyrone Farrugia and Manolito Micallef are out with a ban.

Sliema also had an eventful week as on Monday Mark Marlow was relieved from his duties of coach and Doncic was instead installed in his place.

The Serb’s main task will be to inspire the team towards a late push for a top-six berth. The Blues are currently three points behind Ħamrun and nothing less than victory would keep their ambitions on track tomorrow.

Doncic is set to hand a debut to new signing Etienne Barbara who joined on a short-term deal earlier this week but midfielders Mark Scerri and Jackson Lima are both ruled out with a one-match ban.

First round result: Sliema Wanderers vs Floriana 0-1.

Hibs vs Tarxien Rainbows (tomorrow at 4 p.m., Hibs Stadium)

The rivalry between Tarxien and Hibs will be renewed tomorrow when the two neighbouring clubs go head-to-head at Corradino.

These two teams experienced contrasting fortunes so far this season.

Tarxien defied the odds with a strong run that lifted them to a surprising second place in the standings but the Paolites have had a frustrating campaign which was capped last weekend when a 1-0 defeat to Qormi condemned them to the Relegation Pool.

Tarxien go into this derby in high spirits following last weekend’s 3-1 win over Floriana and, no doubt, they will relish the chance to pile more misery on the Paolites.

Noel Coleiro, the Tarxien coach, must check on the fitness of midfielder Ricardo, who suffered an ankle injury against Floriana, but otherwise he has a full squad to choose from.

Hibs will be aware that they need to pick maximum spoils from this match to put themselves in a more comfortable position when the Relegation Pool kicks off later this month.

Young midfielder Tristan Caruana will skip the derby as he is sidelined with injury.

First round result: Tarxien vs Hibernians 2-0.