Mqabba go top but Marsa beaten

Balzan Youths 1
Mqabba 3

Mqabba leapfrogged Hamrun to the top position in the standings after a hard-fought win over Balzan Youths. The match came to life in its final stages when Balzan had keeper Brian Bonello sent off.

Balzan are playing a dangerous game in the drop zone. Yesterday, they thought they scored a late equaliser from a free-kick inside the box but the goal was ruled out as no one had touched the ball before Mark Marlow shot into the Mqabba net.

Mqabba, who had Justin Tellus making his debut for the team, took the lead as early as the 12th minute when a Justin Felice corner was headed in by Mark Anthony Psaila.

However, they only enjoyed their lead for little more than a minute. A Gilbert Scerri cross from the right created havoc in the Mqabba box and Jerryton Agius was on the right spot to hit past Kris Calleja.

Balzan were showing better ideas but the status quo prevailed until the break. The second half started on a slow pace but in the 67th minute Bonello was involved in an argument with Mqabba's Anywanna and got a red card from the referee.

Ten minutes after this incident Mqabba regained the lead. Tellus was quick to pounce on a loose ball inside the Balzan box and easily guided the ball home.

Despite their numerical handicap, Balzan pressed hard for an equaliser and deep into stoppage time they won a free-kick inside the box after a back pass was handled by Calleja. The free-kick was indirect but Marlow fired his shot straight into the net... no goal.

Mqabba sealed the points soon after when Muscat dribbled his way through before releasing Anywanna who shot past substitute Farrugia. Mqabba had Martin Borg sent off for dissent.

Balzan: B. Bonello, D. Mamo (R. Farrugia), D. Agius (S. Cappitta), R. Grech, J. Agius (M. Monreal), M. Marlow, M. Sciortino, P. Grima, R. Caruana, D. Gera, G. Scerri.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Busuttil, J. Tellus, M.A. Psaila, M. Briffa (K. Mallia), J. Felice (C. Borg), A. Formosa, M. Borg, U. Anywanna, J.P. Muscat, D. Gatt (E. Borg).

Referee: Adrian Casha.

Marsa 1
Naxxar Lions 2

Determined Naxxar Lions yesterday beat promotion-seekers Marsa to earn three useful points and slightly eased their relegation worries after joining St George's on the 13-point mark, one better off than eighth-placed Mosta.

With the wind blowing behind their backs, Naxxar were the more adventurous side in the opening half. However, it was Marsa who created the first scoring chance on 18 minutes but a Gilbert Martin drive from outside the box flashed just over the bar.

The Lions opened the score on 27 minutes when a speculative shot from Justin Zammit finished in the Marsa net with goalkeeper Spiteri beaten.

Marsa held out as Naxxar applied more pressure but on 50 minutes Spiteri was beaten again, this time by Ani who worked his way superbly inside the box before firing home.

On 61 minutes Daniel Gatt was left unmarked in the Lions' box and he had all the time he needed to head past Cini from a Zammit cross - 2-1.

Michael Molzahn's team doubled up their efforts to save the match and stay in the hunt for a promotion berth.

However, luck was not on their side, particularly in added time when, first, Cini made a fine save to deny Zammit from a free-kick and, then, substitute Grima was denied by the post after a melee in front of the Lions' keeper.

Marsa: R. Spiteri, D. Vella, A. Mifsud, K. Farrugia, G. Martin, D. Gatt, S. Cutajar, J. Casha (J. Zammit), J.P. Zammit, K. Scerri, P. Micallef (L.D. Grima).

Naxxar: R. Cini, D. Zuccaro, M. Spiteri Gonzi, R. Schembri, V. Bellia, T. Fenech, J. Zammit (J. Mifsud), S. Muscat (G. Magri), C. Mifsud, B. Chetcuti (G. Camilleri), J. Ani.

Referee: Joe Attard.