Effiong scores, Haber sent off
Marsaxlokk 1St George's 1\nStriker Alfred Effiong had a dream debut for St George's yesterday but not goalkeeper Justin Haber who was playing his first match in the Marsaxlokk shirt following his transfer from the Belgian league. Nigerian Effiong, who...
Marsaxlokk 1
St George's 1
\nStriker Alfred Effiong had a dream debut for St George's yesterday but not goalkeeper Justin Haber who was playing his first match in the Marsaxlokk shirt following his transfer from the Belgian league.
Nigerian Effiong, who previously played for Kercem Ajax, scored a late equaliser for the Premier League strugglers to hold leaders Marsa-xlokk to an unexpected draw at the Tedesco Stadium.
St George's fully deserved the point earned. They matched the more quoted Marsaxlokk in the first half and it had to be Haber's saves that denied the Saints from taking what would have been a merited half-time lead.
But Haber marred his day as Marsaxlokk were forced to play the entire second half with a player less after being dismissed for handling the ball outside his box just before the break.
Marsaxlokk still managed to take the lead, albeit in fortuitous circumstances, but St George's kept coming and their battling spirits were rewarded two minutes from time when Effiong struck the equaliser.
Marsaxlokk coach Brian Talbot was without the suspended Steve Wellman with Shaun Tellus filling in his void in defence.
St George's had goalkeeper Bernard Paris out through injury.
Andrea Gatt was given a rare start by coach Marco Gerada. Midfielders Anthony Portelli, Kurt Formosa and striker Edoardo Do Nascimento were missing from the Saints' line-up as well even though the latter was on the subs' list. Emanuel Sevasta was serving a one-match ban.
Effiong almost had a perfect start to his St George's career when after five minutes his diving header was stopped by Haber. Two minutes later, the Marsaxlokk keeper was again alert to keep out Mizzi's volley.
Gradually, Marsaxlokk started asserting their authority but they had to wait until the 22nd minute before their first attempt at goal.
They won a corner from the left, taken by Cleaven Frendo, and in came Carlo Mamo whose firm header was kept out by a fine reflex save from Gatt.
St George's came agonisingly close to breaking the stalemate on the half hour when Mizzi delivered a cross into the path of Effiong whose header was splendidly turned to a corner by Haber.
Marsaxlokk's response arrived three minutes later with a Daniel Bogdanovic grounder that was stopped by Gatt.
Ten minutes from half-time it had to be another superb save from Haber that denied St George's an opener. The Malta goalkeeper just managed to keep out Benoir Fenech's flick from a Larry Lagana free-kick.
Marsaxlokk were clearly struggling to contain Effiong and four minutes from the break the Nigerian unleashed a powerful drive that was ably palmed away by Haber.
Haber's contribution to the match, however, came to an abrupt end in time added on. He raced out to block the way for the advancing Effiong who tried to dribbled his way through but Haber touched the ball outside the box leaving the ref with no other option but to show him the red card.
Talbot immediately withdrew Haruna Doda to rope in reserve keeper Reuben Gauci in goal.
The start of the second half saw Marsaxlokk holding the initiative despite their numerical handicap.
Their efforts were rewarded on 53 minutes. Bogdanovic sent a dangerous cross inside the area and defender Renato Conceicao inadvertently diverted the ball past Gatt.
St George's were hard hit by Conceicao's misfortune and Marsaxlokk came close to scoring again eight minutes later when Watford-bound Bogdanovic raced through on goal and lobbed the ball over Gatt only to see the ball skimming the bar.
A minute later, Bogdanovic was at it again but his header, from a Mamo cross, flew wide just past the upright.
Sixteen minutes from time St George's protested for a penalty when Mizzi fell under the challenge of Luke Dimech but the referee saw nothing untoward and waved play on.
With Marsaxlokk looking secure and all but set to record a 13th victory this season, St George's surprised them with a late equaliser.
Lagana sent a cross into the path of Effiong who headed the ball past Gauci and into the net to the delight of the St George's clan.
The final whistle saw the Saints celebrating a morale-boosting draw while the Marsaxlokk players left the field in dejected mood after a below-par performance.
Marsaxlokk: J. Haber, L. Dimech-6.5, M. Licari-6, G. Sciberras-6, C. Frendo-7 ('83 A. Rocha Da Silva), H. Doda-5 ('45 R. Gauci-6) S. Tellus-5.5, K. Sammut-5, D. Bogdanovic-6.5, C. Mamo-7, J. Pace-5.5.
St George's: A. Gatt-6, B. Fenech-6.5, R. Conceicao-6.5, C. Brincat-6, J. Spiteri-6, L. Mizzi-7, H. Schembri-6, L. Lagana-6, E. Degabriele-6 ('73 K. Darmanin), A. Effiong-7.5, L. Grima-7.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.
Scorers: Conceicao 53 og; Effiong 88.
Yellow Cards: Lagana, Brincat, Sammut, Licari, Darmanin.
Red card: Haber 45.
BOV Player of the Match: Renato Conceicao (St George's).