Precious points for Mqabba but Gozitans in deep trouble
Mqabba 4Gozo FC 2\nMqabba chalked up three precious points from their basement clash against Gozo FC yesterday at the Centenary Stadium. Both sides were in dire need of all points to climb to safer waters in the standings. However, in the end it was...
Mqabba 4
Gozo FC 2
\nMqabba chalked up three precious points from their basement clash against Gozo FC yesterday at the Centenary Stadium.
Both sides were in dire need of all points to climb to safer waters in the standings. However, in the end it was Mqabba who showed more quality play to register a deserved win against a hapless Gozitan side, now doomed for the drop with only three matches to go for them.
Mqabba were the more enterprising side yesterday but had to wait until the half-hour mark to open the score after a series of attacks on the Gozitan goal. Matthew Cocks, put through by the quick-thinking Keith Mallia, dribbled past his marker before blasting the ball home.
Defender Brian Meilaq denied Mqabba's Roderick Farrugia from his team's second goal with a timely goalmouth intervention, but in the 35th minute it was all-square.
Martin Cremona, with practically the first Gozo shot on the Mqabba goal, found the top corner of the net from a well-executed free-kick.
The 'visitors' somewhat weathered the storm until the break but in the 55th minute Mqabba deservedly forged ahead, Chibueze scoring from an acute angle to make it 2-1.
With 20 minutes to go Tramboo tripped Cocks in the Gozitan penalty area and from the resultant penalty Chibueze made no mistake.
With six minutes to go Nigerian striker Chibueze saw his shot half-parried by Xuereb, the ball fell Muscat's way who rifled the rebound home.
The Gozitans reduced the deficit in the 86th minute thanks to an Egere goal after some fine Patrick Camilleri work. However, by then Mqabba were already home and dry.
Mqabba: R. Cini, R. Farrugia (L. Grech), D. Micallef, C. Gatt, M. Gauci, E. Borg, O. Lombardi, M. Cocks, J.P. Muscat (M. Briffa), K. Mallia, I. Chibueze.
Gozo: J. Xuereb, B. Meilaq, P. Camilleri, A. Tramboo, F. Magrin, M. Portelli (A. Portelli), V. Dimitrov, M. Cremona, V. Egere, D. Lautier (J. Attard), M. Touali (R. Mercieca).