Mqabba lose again

Mqabba 0
Marsa 1

Mqabba suffered their second consecutive defeat to open wide the First Division league with practically all teams, except for Gozo who are already demoted, Balzan and San Gwann, having a chance both for the championship and relegation.

The teams occupying the first seven places are now in a tight situation with Marsa, who were in danger of relegation, coming back in the promotion hunt!

Man-of-the-match Gilbert Martin, was the mastermind for the winning goal early in the second half as Marsa not only inflicted on Mqabba their fourth defeat this season but also avenged the 3-1 reverse they suffered to the same opponents in the first round.

Credit must be given to both goalkeepers, because were it not for them, we could have witnessed a cricket score, especially in the first half.

Marsa dominated the match early on thanks to the industry of Kevin Farrugia in midfield and the slick play of Martin. The latter had two early efforts blocked by Kris Calleja, the Mqabba goalkeeper.

In the 17th minute Michael Molzahn's side were unlucky not to forge ahead when a fierce Martin strike from outside the box hit the crossbar, the ball fell to Joe Casha who headed over the top from close in.

At last Mqabba ventured forward and in the 25th minute, following a good move, John Paul Muscat hit the side-netting from a good position.

Two minutes later, it was Mqabba again, this time Chris Borg's fierce free-kick from 30 metres was well saved by Elvin Attard for a corner.

Now Mqabba were showing the better ideas and in the 29th minute a Muscat effort from the edge of the area, was again saved by the Marsa custodian.

Mqabba's best opportunity came in the 33rd minute when a Marlon Briffa square pass to Anywanna put the Marsa rearguard in panic, the Nigerian lobbed over Attard's head, but Darren Vella was in a good position to whack the ball away.

A minute later a Felice corner for Mqabba was headed by Albert Busuttil, and with the Mqabba faithful already cheering for a goal, Attard somehow stopped it with one hand.

Eight minutes from half-time, Marsa's Rio Micallef drove wide from a good position.

A minute from the break Martin was again thwarted by the Mqabba custodian who held the ball firmly from close range.

The second half was less eventful but Marsa immediately scored what proved to be the winning goal.

On 47 minutes a Martin cross found Micallef who chipped the ball into the box and Casha was on the spot to head home.

Martin missed a good opportunity on 63 minutes, firing wide from a good position while Mqabba's last chance came on 71 minutes when a Chris Borg free-kick just missed the target.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Busuttil, J. Tellus, M.A. Psaila, M. Briffa, J. Felice (I. Zammit), A. Formosa (C. Mifsud), C. Borg, U. Anywanna, E. Borg (A. Hili), J.P. Muscat.

Marsa: E. Attard, J. Buttigieg, D. Vella, A. Mifsud, L. Grima (B. Zammit), K. Farrugia, R. Bonnici, J. Casha (S. Cutajar), J.P. Zammit, G. Martin, R. Micallef (K. Scerri).

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.