Marsaxlokk 2
Msida SJ 1
Marsaxlokk: I. Casha, C. Paiber, S. Tellus, C. Magro, C. Mamo (K. Mamo), J. Pace, S. Bajada, M. Trendafilov (M. Ochei), A. Schembri, M. Licari, C. Frendo (I. Zammit)
Msida SJ: P. Psaila, D. Theuma, M. Bini (T. Farrugia), J. Mifsud, D. Cachia, P. Fenech, R. Bajada, P. Giua (C. Micallef), D. Nwoke, K. Sammut, J. Zammit
Referee: M. Borg Asst refs: C. Micallef, J. Camilleri 4th official: C. Pisani
Scorers: D. Nwoke, A. Schembri, S. Tellus
Yellow cards: M. Trendifilov, A. Schembri, K. Sammut, R. Bajada, D. Theuma
Player of the match: K. Sammut (Msida SJ)
TMI top three: 1.K. Sammut 2. C. Frendo 3. C. Magro
With a place in the Championship Pool for the third consecutive year already secured, Marsaxlokk were out to consolidate their status prior to the forthcoming second phase of the Premier League.
With sheer determination and flashes of some slick football,Marsaxlokk won this game yesterday to end their first phase commitments two points clear above Floriana, although the latter have a match in hand.
Msida, on their part, gave a decent challenge and on yesterday's showing, a place in the Championship Pool might not have been beyond what they deserved either. The Saints had Boni, Guia and Borg back from suspension, although Psaila was again confirmed in goal. Bajada was also returning from injury although the suspended Porceddu was missing.
They showed an aggressive intent from the start and were the first to break the deadlock, in an entertaining and exciting as well as evenly balanced affair with chances at both ends.
Marsaxlokk, who had Templeman unavailable and afforded to use Ivan Zammit, Kevin Mamo and Michael Ochei only as substitutes, edged their opponents with a second half goal from their promising defender Shawn Tellus, when perhaps Msida were showing the better ideas.
In fact the Saints were the first out of the blocks. The inspirational Kevin Sammut, without doubt the best on the pitch, was the first to test Marsaxlokk's keeper Casha with a poisonous long range effort.
On nine minutes, he showed Tellus a clean pair of heels and crossed from the right flank to Zammit whose shot was deflected into Nwoke's path only to loft the ball.
Msida deservingly took the lead after 20 minutes. Cachia's cross caused panic inside the Marsaxlokk area and after Sammut's effort was deflected, Daniel Nwoke volleyed the ball majestically from a narrow angle.
Their joy was short-lived though. Hardly a minute later, Frendo won possesion off Roderick Bajada in midfield and sent a perfect sailing cross for Andre Schembri to lob over the onrushing Msida keeper and restore equilibrium.
On the half hour, Nwoke was put through by Zammit but Magro blocked his shot into a corner and Msida wasted another opportunity before half time when Nwoke missed the target as he ran in for Mifsud's cross.
Marsaxlokk's response was a Frendo shot going narrowly wide after a Schembri goal was rightly disallowed for offside. A Licari grounder was saved by keeper Psaila.
Shortly after the re-start, Marsaxlokk were forced to substitute defender Carlo Mamo, who failed to recoup from an earlier knock and on the hour they also put in Ochei for Trendafilov.
Msida, however, kept enjoying the better fare, with Nwoke showing more profligacy inside their area. He had his shot blocked by Magro when well served by Sammut.
Marsaxlokk, though, took the lead on 65 minutes. Defender Shawn Tellus turned attacker, advancing from the middle, and after exchanging the ball with Ochei, beat keeper Psaila with a low diagonal shot from the left.
That goal shifted the balance of power dramatically in Marsaxlokk's favour. Ochei, put clear by Kevin Mamo on the left, sent a cross fractionally too long for his two unmarked team mates and the Southseasiders incessant pressure was showing when Frendo rifled a shot from outside the area which the keeper saved with some difficulty.
Sammut was through inside the Marsaxlokk area, only to be foiled by Casha's reflex save.
But Marsaxlokk ended up the better side as Paiber put Ochei through. After outpacing the onrushing keeper, Ochei mishit the final shot.
From an Ochei corner, Shaun Bajada's effort was tipped over the bar by Psaila and on 82 minutes Marsaxlokk threatened again but Ochei failed to connect to Licari's cross shot from the byeline.