Marsa open five-point gap

Marsa 5
Gozo FC 1

Marsa strolled to an emphatic 5-1 victory over bottom team Gozo to open a five-point gap on rivals Hamrun Spartans at the top of the Division One table.

It was an easy win for Michael Molzahn's side against a disorganised and depleted Gozitan team.

Gozo's chances of gaining a good result from this match looked dim even before kick-off after it emerged that coach Patrick Camilleri only had 11 players turning up for this 'away' encounter against Marsa.

Five other players were listed as substitutes on the official teamsheet but these were nowhere to be seen at the Centenary Stadium. Also, one of Gozo midfielders yesterday was Donald Gauci who was the team's goalkeeper in their 3-0 defeat to Naxxar Lions the previous Sunday.

A spokesman for the team later told The Times that the Gozo FC administration is planning to revamp their players' selection policy to avoid a repeat of this incident in the future.

Perhaps, the only positive note for the Gozitans is that they scored their first goal after 412 minutes of play.

Marsa's first-half performance was not that impressive but they still dominated proceedings. After five minutes, a bad interception by Gozo's goalkeeper Jonathan Xuereb presented Anthony EviParker with a golden chance but his lob just missed the target.

Marsa went ahead on 14 minutes when a dangerous cross by Gilbert Martin was fumbled by Alex Tramboo who miscued his clearance into his own net.

Marsa continued to press forward but only created two scoring opportunities. In the 19th minute, from another Martin cross, Jonathan Buttigieg headed inches wide and three minutes before the break, a first-time effort by EviParker bounced wide.

The score became 2-0 for Marsa on 50 minutes when, following a corner, EviParker's header at the far post was cleared away by the Gozitan rearguard, the ball fell to Buttigieg whose cross was headed into the back of the net by the unmarked Martin.

The Gozitans responded two minutes later when Johnny Camilleri, undoubtedly their best player, danced past several Marsa defenders and hammered home from the edge of the area. Gozo's performance suddenly improved. Mario Mifsud threatened to equalise but his drive from outside the area ended wide.

Marsa recovered from this short, bumpy patch to take command of the match. On 65 minutes, they restored their two-goal lead when a Johann Zammit cross was met by EviParker.

Five minutes later, a similar move between the two players ended with Gozo 'keeper Xuereb making a brilliant save.

EviParker notched his second goal of the match and the seventh of the season ten minutes from the end when he cunningly dispossessed Tramboo and lifted the ball over Xuereb's head.

On the stroke of time, Tramboo risked committing a second own goal when he rose to clear a Joe Zammit throughball for EviParker.

A minute into stoppage time, Martin supplied a fine cross from the left flank, the leaden-footed Gozitan defence hesitated and substitute Joseph Casha capitalised to guide the ball home for a 5-1 scoreline.

Marsa: R. Spiteri, J. Buttigieg, D. Vella, J. Zammit, A. Mifsud, L. Grima, K. Farrugia, G. Martin, R. Bonnici (M. Scicluna), J.P. Zammit (J. Casha), A. EviParker.

Gozo: J. Xuereb, M. Vella, M. Formosa, A. Tramboo, G. Magrin, R. Galea, S. Galea, J. Mercieca, J. Camilleri, M. Mifsud, D. Gauci.

Referee: Alex Arena.

Mosta still winless

St George's 0
Mosta 0

Mosta are still looking for their first win in five matches after being held to a goalless draw by St George's.

Relying on virtually the same squad that figured in the Premier League two seasons ago, Mosta also strengthened their ranks with the capture of Nigerian striker Ikechukwu Chibueze and ex-Pietà defender Digger Okonkwo plus the return of midfielder Philip Camilleri.

Pre-season forecasts ranked Mosta among the promotion favourites but until now, Paul Zammit's side have been a disappointing lot. On this form, they face a hard struggle to maintain their place in Division One.

On their part, newcomers St George's have begun well with two wins, two draws and one defeat.

After only five minutes, Mosta could have broken the ice when a cross from Ives Bilocca found Chibueze but the Nigerian missed the target from eight metres.

Mosta continued to run the show and on 17 minutes a Pio Sciriha free-kick was well saved by Andrea Gatt.

St George's came more into the picture and on 21 minutes a Keith Darmanin through-pass found Ivan Camilleri whose drive went just wide.

Seven minutes later, the lively Clive Brincat dribbled past a posse of Mosta defenders but his shot was saved by Charles Sciberras.

In the latter stages of the first half, Mosta regained their ascendancy. Sciriha picked out Chibueze but the Nigerian again failed to hit the target. Two minutes before the break, another Bilocca cross was headed just wide by Chibueze.

St George's were slightly better in the second half even though chances were far and few between. On 73 minutes, defender Johan Spiteri advanced down the right flank before blasting a shot that was well saved by Sciberras, the Mosta goalkeeper.

Late in the game, St George's substitute Emanuel Sevasta directed the ball towards Darmanin who brought the best out of Sciberras.

Mosta could have stolen the points at the death when substitute Chetcuti sprinted well on the right but his cross was not met by Dyson Falzon.

St George's: A. Gatt, G. Stivala, J. Spiteri, C. Brincat, E. Degabriele (A. Chimezi), A. Bonello, I. Camilleri (C. Grech, E. Sevasta), J. Delia, N. Abela, K. Darmanin, H. Schembri.

Mosta: C. Sciberras, P. Sciriha, M. Abela, D. Okonkwo (P. Vassallo), R. Asciak (D. Falzon), P. Camilleri, I. Chibueze (A. Chetcuti), I. Bilocca, M. Borg, B. Agius, B. Galea.

Referee: Joe Attard.