Mqabba 4

Naxxar L 1

A dominant Mqabba side demolished bottom placed Naxxar Lions with three goals scored in the final ten minutes of the match. This result puts Mqabba back in third place and still with a chance to have a say in the promotion hunt.

The match was balanced in the first half with Naxxar showing the better ideas, but the Lions were completely outclassed in the second half, as they remain at the bottom of the table.

Mqabba’s Anywanna proved to be an asset for Vince Carbonaro’s side as he scored two vital goals in the dying minutes to give Mqabba three valuable points.

Mqabba had a flying start and opened the score on five minutes when an Edric Borg cross shot completely deceived goalkeeper Cini, with the ball finishing at the back of the net. Mqabba had other opportunities to increase the lead but Muscat and Anywanna missed the target.

Slowly but surely Naxxar started to play the better football. Naxxar’s constant pressure gave the desired results on 32 minutes when Justin Zammit was brought down by Rodrick Spiteri, and from the resultant penalty Chima Dozie obtained the equaliser with a fierce drive.

For most of the second half Mqabba were on the attack, with the Lions unable to repeat their first half showing. Anywanna went close on 56 minutes, and substitute Tellus had a good shot blocked on the fatal line by a Naxxar defender.

With ten minutes to go Mqabba finally took the lead when the Naxxar defence failed to clear a long ball from midfield and Anywanna was on hand to tap the ball in from close range. Two minutes later the same Anywanna gave the Lions the killer touch when he headed beautifully in a Chris Borg from the left.

With two minutes to go Mqabba scored their fourth and final goal when John Paul Muscat first timed beautifully past a helpless Cini.

Lija A 2

Senglea A 1

Lija Athletic registered a stunning comeback, to turn defeat into victory with two late goals, and join the same Senglea with eight points in a healthier position in the table.

The match was very interesting and reached the peak in the last 12 minutes of the game with the three goals scored. Lija yesterday played one of their best matches this season, even though handicapped in attack with the absence of striker Glenn Barry. For Senglea who started the season aiming for a promotion berth, this could have been the fatal blow in their slim remaining hopes. They are now in a rather dangerous position in the lower part of the table.

Senglea’s first attempt came on eight minutes when Lawrence Attard’s header was saved by Mercieca. On 19 minutes a Mckay had a good run on the left, and from his cross Jose Borg’s header was saved by Mercieca. From the resultant header Lawrence Attard was again unbeatable in the air with his header going inches wide.

Although Lija were solid in midfield, they had to wait till the 22nd minute to have a try at goal when Camilleri headed weakly from an ideal position.

Mercieca was called in action with five minutes to go, blocking another Bonello run, and just before the break Bonello was again denied by Mercieca when he tried to lob over the goalkeeper, but the Lija custodian saved his side with a brilliant save.

In between Lija had their best opportunity with a fast break, but Senglea keeper Attard made his best save denying Anicic of a certain goal.

The second half was less intense with Lija enjoying the lions’ share of the proceedings, but were never dangerous up front. On 77 minutes senglea broke the deadlock when Lawrence Attard headed in from close range following a corner action. Senglea’s joy was shortlived as two minutes later Lija drew level thanks to Michael Gatt goal following an Anicic free-kick.

And with four minutes to go Lija obtained an incredible winner when Niki Gatt penetrated in side the area, and beat Attard from the rebound after the Senglea goalkeeper had partially blocked his first attempt.