MSIDA SJ 3

MARSAXLOKK 4

Marsaxlokk are on an upward curve, despite a very close win against Msida which at first seemed to be a cruise.

Marsaxlokk looked heading towards a comfortable win when they were leading their opponents by four clear goals after 50 minutes, thanks mainly to Soares Gomes' first half hat-trick.

Courtesy of Msida's jittery defence, Marsaxlokk always looked more dangerous going forward. Msida, however, rallied well and scored three second half goals to move within only one goal from their opponents, threatening to cause an unpredictable upset.

Marsaxlokk's line-up showed a rift of changes from the one against Sliema. Due to suspensions, coach Ray Farrugia had to do without four key players, like Gomes Dos Santos, Schembri, Pace and of course Wellman, who is serving a two-match ban after ignoring a previous suspension.

However Marsaxlokk were still good enough to resist Msida's challenge which, inspired by the attacking forays of their three foreigners, kept up the excitement as the match progressed to Marsaxlokk's liking.

The first half belonged particularly to Marsaxlokk's striker Wendell Soares Gomes, who clinched a hat-trick within ten playing minutes to put his side in the driving seat.

The Brazilian showed his intent on 22 minutes, drilling a shot which forced keeper Borg to stretch himself and save into a corner.

Five minutes later Soares Gomes was allowed all the room in the world to control Nwoko's header inside the area and shoot low past Borg. Hardly a minute later Gomes again beat the Msida keeper, finishing off Sammut's pass.

On the half hour Soares Gomes threatened again when advancing alone, only to lob the ball over the onrushing keeper just over.

But the Marsaxlokk striker collected his hat-trick on 37 minutes, finishing off in style after exchanging the ball with Nwoko and making his way inside the Msida penalty area.

The match seemed as good as over four minutes into the second half when Marsaxlokk scored their fourth. Soares Gomes again did all the work on the right before playing the ball back to the advancing Shaun Bajada, who placed his shot at the far post.

With the points virtually secured, Marsaxlokk looked like sitting back, saving their energies for another day. But Msida soon bounced back and reduced the arrears on 56 minutes when Daniel Nwoke shot in Farrugia's pass from the byeline from close range.

Marsaxlokk's reaction brought off two fine saves from Msida keeper Borg and the Saints hit back again on 64 minutes. Babatunde's cross from the right cut the entire Marsaxlokk defence. Farrugia's effort rebounded off the upright and Ousseni Zongo was quick to shoot in from close range.

The balance of the match shifted dramatically in Msida's favour for the remaining minutes as they laid siege on the Marsaxlokk fort and squandered a couple of good chances through Cachia and Zongo before the latter fired a low diagonal shot from the edge of the area to beat keeper Debono for the third time.

Three minutes of added time were not enough to reward Msida's late efforts which nearly brought about a stunning comeback. Only Soares Gomes denied them that elusive win in the Championship Pool.

Msida SJ: O. Borg, J. Mifsud, S. Grima (D. Gatt), M. Pullicino, T. Farrugia, D. Cachia, P. Fenech, L. Micallef (K. Ebjer), I. Babatunde, D. Nwoke, O. Zongo

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, C. Mamo, M. Licari, S. Bajada, C. Magro, K. Sammut, C. Frendo, W. Soares Gomes, K. Mamo (J. Felice), S. Tellus, C. Nwoko

Referee: A. M. Sant Asst. refs: P. Agius, J. Camilleri 4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorers: W. Soares Gomes (3), S. Bajada, D. Nwoke, O. Zongo (2)

Yellow cards: P. Fenech, O. Zongo, C. Mamo, D. Nwoke

Player of the match: Wendell Soares Gomes (Marsaxlokk)

TMI top three: 1. W. Soares Gomes 2. O. Zongo 3. K. Sammut