Footbal - BOV first division league: Positive start for Marsa and St George’s
Marsa 2
Mqabba 0
Marsa satrted the new campaign on a positive note thanks to late goals against Mqabba.
The openeing of the BOV First Division League, was a drab affair, with play mainly in midfield and with goalmouth actions a rarity.
The hot weather conditions and the miserable state of the Victor Tedesco Stadium playing surface did not help much to improve the level of play from both sets of players.
A drawn result would have been fairer with Mqabba as neither side deserved to win this very low profile opener.
Marsa had Timothy Thomas making his debut in attack with their chief striker Gilbert Martin.
Mqabba were practically an unchanged side from last season, were they only threw away the promotion in the last matches of the campaign.
But yesterday’s showing was far from convincing and they should improve considerably if they wish to make an impact.
The match was decided in the dying minutes of the match as Marsa scored their opener in the 86th minute, when central defender Slavchev floated a perfect freekick inside the box, and substitute Rio Micallef nipped in to head over the onrushing Kris Calleja.
In the 90th minute Marsa sealed the issue with the second goal, when Steven Meilak did all the spade work and passed to Gilbert Martin, whose low shot gave Calleja no chance to save.
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St George’s 2
San Gwann 1
St. George’s defeated San Gwann with the odd goal in three yesterday to start the season on a top note.
It was a deserved victory for the team led by new coach Marco Gerada who took over from Edward Darmanin.
The match was very interesting with St. George’s always showing the better ideas, especially in attack, where Ewurun and Trevor Thomas were a constant menace to the rather slow san Gwann defence.
Other players who stood out for St. George’s were midfielders Silvio Sciberras and Clive Brincat, together with veteran Jesmond Delia who had a sound performanec at the back.
St. George’s started like a house on fire and almost took the lead after only one minute play, when Thomas’ shot was somehow saved by Bartolo and from the rebound, Ewurun’s shot destined for the back of the net was cleared off the line by a San Gwann defender.
On 34 minutes St. George’s were in the lead with a well taken goal scored by Ewurun who back-heeled into the net a perfect Lagana freekick.
San Gwann had their best patch at the start of the second half, even managing to level the score when Karl Sciberras sloted home after a defensive blunder by goalkeeper Gatt.
St. George’s surged forward after this setback and scored what proved to be the winner on 57 minutes when Thomas scored from close range after a slick move between Spiteri and Ewurun.
Near the end St. George’s could have added further goals but the San Gwann goalie made some excellent saves