Ten-man Msida show their true mettle

Balzan Youths 0
Msida St Joseph 2

Last season's Division Two champions Msida put Balzan to the sword at the Tedesco Stadium yesterday to record an emphatic win with goals from newcomers Jeremy Agius and Daniel Nwoke.

But was it really emphatic?

Yes, when one considers that Msida played for more than an hour with ten men and never showed any signs of fatigue. This was billed as the match of the week as both teams are considered among the favourites for promotion. In the end, Msida deserved their win. Without doubt, they were the better side throughout the 90 minutes.

Balzan won a free-kick outside the Msida area early on but Marlow's inviting cross was headed wide by Coleiro. Soon it was Msida who took over. Agius, one of the best players yesterday, found Nwoke who from a good position saw his hard shot saved by Bugeja in two attempts.

Bugeja was then called in action again to stop a dangerous Delia inswinger from a free-kick. However, it was Balzan who could have easily taken the lead after 26 minutes.

A Marlow free-kick again fell Coleiro's way. The Balzan striker released Sadowski whose shot was ably saved by Chircop in the Msida goal.

Six minutes later Msida suffered a hard blow when Formosa's vicious foul on Coleiro was spotted by the referee who sent the Msida midfielder in for an early shower.

One thought that Balzan would take the upperhand now. But until the end of the first half Msida controlled well, leaving no gaps for Balzan to pierce their defence.

The second half belonged to Msida. Cauchi's free-kick sailed just over but in the 70th minute they forged ahead when Agius was brought down in the box by Bilocca.

Agius, formerly of Valletta, scored from the penalty spot.

Balzan never reacted and Msida continued to dictate matters easily. Five minutes from time substitute Zammit passed to the unmarked Nwoke but the latter shot wide from an ideal position.

A minute into stoppage time, Nwoke made up for his earlier mistake when put through by Delia. The former Naxxar striker controlled well before beating the goalkeeper with a firm drive high into the net.

Balzan: P. Bugeja, S. Sadowski, I. Bilocca (L. Mackay), C. Micallef, A. Deidun, J. Farrugia, D. Agius (K. Farrugia), M. Marlow, N. Arpa, M. Galea (N. Jankovic), K. Coleiro.

Msida: D. Chircop, J. Galea, T. Farrugia, J. Delia, F. Cauchi, K. Montanaro (N. Zarb Cousin), D. Gatt, A. Formosa, J. Agius (A. Spiteri), A. Muscat (I. Zammit), D. Nwoke.

Referee: Mark Spiteri.

Mqabba 0
St Patrick 2

St Patrick started the season on a sound footing when claiming all points at the expense of Mqabba yesterday morning.

There was no big difference between the two sides even though the Saints were more organised than their opponents and technically superior. Even when the Saints finished playing with 10 men after goalkeeper Alex Camilleri was red-carded, they still enjoyed the upperhand.

Mqabba tried a late rally but were exposed at the back and suffered the killer blow after conceding a late penalty. The Saints' saw more of the ball throughout the match and were more efficient in midfield and up front.

After only three minutes they should have gone ahead when a thundering Mizzi header was cleared in extremis by Lombardi. Mqabba responded soon after but Micallef's effort was also cleared from over the line.

In the 21st minute St Patrick were again near but a dangerous Caruana cross found no takers and the Mqabba rearguard cleared their lines. A minute later St Patrick opened the score. Scerri's free-kick caused panic inside the Mqabba box with defender Borg committing a classic own goal.

Mqabba surged forward in search of a quick equaliser and a Sciberras effort nearly deceived Saints' goalkeeper Camilleri but the ball went just wide.

The initial stages of the second half were poor with both sides adopting a kick-and-rush style which produced no dividends. Tanti was close for St Patrick with a 25-metre drive and soon after it was Caruana who tried his luck for the Saints but the alert Cini averted danger.

On the other side, Chibueze tried to dribble past Camilleri midway through the second half. The goalkeeper handled outside the area and received a red card for his offence. From the free-kick, Sciberras was inches away from target.

Cassar then lost control of the ball, Chibueze lobbed over substitute goalkeeper Azzopardi but Mizzi headed the ball away to safety.

Mqabba were all out on attack when they were caught uncovered at the back late in the game. In a quick counter move Tabone was tripped in the box and Scerri made no mistake from the spot to secure the points for the Saints.

Mqabba: R. Cini, M. Gauci (D. Micallef), S. Callus (M. Briffa), E. Borg (J. Falzon), L. Grech, O. Lombardi, M. Cocks, B. Micallef, S. Sciberras, J.P. Muscat, I. Chibueze.

St Patrick: A. Camilleri, P. Mizzi, R. Cassar, A. Buttigieg, M. Zerafa, A. Galea (J. Tabone), M. Tanti, T. Caruana (F. Azzopardi), G. Scerri, K. Bonnici (D. Gauci), M. Pullicino.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Next Fixtures:

(Saturday) Hibs Ground - 2.30 p.m. Naxxar vs Balzan; 4.30 p.m. Msida vs Mqabba.

(Sunday) Tedesco Stadium - 9 a.m. Xghajra vs Lija; 11 a.m. Rabat vs Gozo.