San Gwann 1

Mqabba 1

Mqabba hit-man Anywanna almost scored a dramatic winner in the 93rd minute but his shot hit both posts before being saved by Bartolo. It would have been an injustice for San Gwann as they did not deserve to go off the pitch empty handed.

In the end San Gwann and Mqabba settled for a point after a balanced and intense match. San Gwann confirmed that they will be a hard nut to crack, even having the lion’s share especially in the second half. Anizoba was a constant menace to the Mqabba rearguard, and his speed caught the Mqabba defence on the wrong foot on many instances.

Their midfield, with Cuschieri, Loughborough and Zammit Fava, has a very high work rate and many a time they were superior to Mqabba in midfield.

Mqabba who started the match without John Paul Muscat, failed to impress, and their striker Anywanna could only find the net from the penalty spot.

San Gwann opened the score on eight minutes with a great shot from Karl Sciberras from the edge of the area, with Kris Calleja only deflecting the ball, which finished off against the post before rolling into the net.

Two minutes later Chris Cuschieri’s effort was blocked by Calleja. Mqabba’s first attempt at goal was on 12 minutes with a Spiteri header brilliantly saved by Bartolo. On 20 minutes Anizoba and Sciberras created havoc in th.e Mqabba defence but Calleja was on the alert to block.

Three minutes later Mqabba obtained the equaliser when Marlon Briffa was tripped inside the area by Vella Critien, and Anywanna scored with ease the resultant penalty.

Mqabba almost forged ahead on 27 minutes with Busuttil crossing from the right to Anywanna, whose header was somehow saved by Bartolo. On the other end, Bonnici cleared on Anizoba all alone in front of goal, and Loughborough headed slightly wide a good corner by Cuschieri.

Mqabba held the initiative in the opening stages, but San Gwann went close in their first break with Anizoba crossing from the right and Zammit Tabona’s header beat Calleja but Tellus cleared off the fatal line.

San Gwann had a good patch with the Mqabba defence panicking under pressure. Karl Sciberras missed a sitter on 64 minutes following a persistent Anizoba move.

In injury time Anywanna had a rare break from the San Gwann defence to unleash a great shot that hit both posts before finishing in Manuel Bartolo’s clasping hands.