Mqabba made a bold step towards the Premier league when they yesterday beat Vittoriosa Stars 3-1, thanks to a John Paul Muscat hat trick. It was a hard earned victory over a determined Vittoriosa side who never gave away an inch.

The Stars deserved something better from this match as they played their hearts out. However they were very erratic in front of goal, even missing a penalty taken by Ivan Zammit.

Mqabba’s goalkeeper Kris Calleja, with some daring saves, and striker John Paul Muscat who scored all his side’s goals, were Mqabba’ heroes. Others like Matthew Cocks, Albert Busuttil and Alex Ribic gave a solid contribution to the side, who are now very close to their final goal.

Mqabba created the first danger on ten minutes through an Anastasi header following a good move by Busuttil and Claudio Calleja. Vittoriosa had the lions’ share in the first half showing the better ideas. From an Anywanna cross Trevor Thomas’ shot on the turn slightly missed the upright.

Mqabba went close with a Claudio Calleja effort following a Ribic long ball. On 22 minutes Vittoriosa won penalty when Trevor Thomas was brought down by Lee Grima, but from the penalty spot Ivan Zammit’s shot was brilliantly saved by Kris Calleja.

Two minutes later Kris Calleja was again in superb form when he saved a point blank header by Adami from a couple of meters.

Almost against the run of play, Mqabba took the lead on 42 minutes when from a Ribic long pass, John Paul Muscat chested the ball well before hitting home a beauty. In stoppage time John Paul Muscat’s first timer went inches wide.

In the second half Vittoriosa went all out in search of the equaliser but Anyanna’s feeble lob was again saved by Kris Calleja. On 61 minutes Mqabba doubled the score when John Paul Muscat dribbled past two defenders before beating Cassar for the second time.

On 75 minutes Vittoriosa managed to pull one back when a Gatt cross was headed by Cachia towards Anywanna who headed home from close range. The Stars were now all over their opponents and an Anywanna freekick sailed over the bar. However Mqabba were a constant menace in their breaks and Ribic missed a sitter ten minutes from time.

Five minutes from time John Paul Muscat sealed the issue for Mqabba when he scored his hat trick from close range following a Ribic cross from the right.

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Hamrun S 2

San Gwann 1

Hamrun Spartans are back in the Premier League thanks to their hard earned victory against San Gwann, who in turn were relegated yesterday to Division Two after four seasons in this division.

Although playing one of their best matches, San Gwann were unable to hold the leaders, who gained the premiership berth with an inept performance.

Truly the Spartans had to play the last 20 minutes without Ryan Fenech, but they had to sweat more than expected against lowly San Gwann.

San Gwann were the better team in the first minutes, and it was not surprising that they took the lead on eight minutes. Michael Valencia floated a good corner from the left and Miguel Francica rose above friends and foe to head home.

Hamrun made an immediate reaction with a close range header by Gaetan Spiteri, which was brilliantly saved by Justin Spiteri. San Gwann continued to put the Spartans’ defence in crises whenever they attacked, with Stajic in the limelight. Hamrun goalkeeper Michael Falzon made the best save of the first half when he denied Andrew Decesare of a certain goal.

Hamrun’s worries were eased thanks to a San Gwann defensive blunder on 27 minutes, when San Gwann defender Galea headed towards Steve Meilak, who had no difficulty in scoring from five meters.

Following this goal the Spartans started to play better with San Gwann playing mainly in defence. However only came close with a long range effort from Ryan Fenech that went inches wide.

The second half started with Hamrun immediately taking the lead when San Gwann defender Arnold Galea was again detrimental for his side when he handled a Meilak cross, and from the penalty spot Stefan Sultana made no mistake with a precise grounder.

On 73 minutes Ryan Fenech was sent after being shown the second yellow. San Gwann pushed everything forward in the last desperate minutes with Timotic clearing off the line and Hamrun goalkeeper Falzon making a daring save in injury time.