Marsa 3
Senglea A 0
Marsa made a great stride forward towards Premier football when they outclassed Senglea in a direct clash. Senglea were coming from three consecutive wins and were aiming for an incredible recovery. On the other hand Marsa were coming from two disappointing draws, but yesterday were a completely superior outfit.
Senglea had no answer to Gilbert Martin and Steve Meilaq’s incursions in attack. Marsa controlled with relative ease never giving away an inch in defence. Senglea are now completely cut off from the promotion race.
Both teams had their defences depleted, as Marsa were without Darren Vella, whilst Senglea were more hit, having to do without the services of Simon Aquilina and Lawrence Atard.
The match played in front of a large and noisy crowd, failed to reach high standards, with play mainly in midfield, with both teams more defence oriented.
After only six minutes Senglea appealed for a penalty when striker Jason Borg was apparently brought down by the Marsa custodian, but referee Zammit waved play on.
However on 23 minutes Gilbert Martin was pushed inside the area by Daniel Cosaitis, and from the resultant penalty goalkeeper Ivan Casha made no mistake.
Senglea were unable to offer an immediate reaction with Marsa having the upper hand with Meilaq and especially Gilbert Martin who was engaged in a constant duel with Babolayefa. Slavchev tested Attard direct from a freekick.
Senglea’s best chances came near the end when Kenneth Abela had two headers missing the target from two crosses by Darren Grech.
At the start of the second half Gilbert Martin missed a sitter in front of goal, and Marsa received a setback minutes later when they lost defender Bencini through injury. Senglea went close again with an Abela header going over the bar.
On the hour Marsa doubled the score when Gilbert Martin first timed beautifully in the corner of the net a long ball by Cutajar.
Marsa were now on velvet and in full command of the proceedings, and the third goal was no surprise at all. Although without Martin who was carried off injured it was Timmy Thomas’ turn to create havoc as he scored the third goal with a perfect chip on 71 minutes.
Tarxien R 2
St George’s 1
Substtiute Simon Shead’s header two minutes from time gave Tarxien a precious win against leaders St George’s, as the promotion is more open than ever.
St George’s had to field a revolutionised side, as they were practically left without their attacking department. In fact the legaue leaders had Ewurun, Silvio Sciberras and Johann Spiteri all missing serving suspension. This gave them few options up front and had to field the lanky Patrick Muscat in an unusual striker position. He was supported by Keith Darmanin and Miguel Mifsud on the flanks.
On their part the Rainbows had their problems to solve as they were without Brazilian Da Silva who started serving his five-match ban. Tarxien started with Carlos Camenzuli and Coleiro in attack and from the first moments they put the Saints’ rearguard under pressure.
On 17 minutes Tarxien went ahead when Sevasta made a rare defensive lapse, and Kurt Coleiro took full advantage to slot the ball home.
The goal suffered spurred the league leaders forward and they went close with efforts from Degabriele and Bonello.
On 32 minutes St George’s were back on level terms when Darmanin headed in from close range.
The match was now an exciting affair with the Tarixen keeper effecting two great saves off Brincat and Darmanin, and on the other end Kurt Coleiro missed an easy chance in front of goal when he headed high.
Tarxien showed the better ideas in the second part with Gatt denying Coleiro, whit Matthew Spiteri missing a sitter with an open goal at his mercy for St George’s.
Two minutes from time Camenzuli’s cross was met by Simon Shead who headed beautifully in the net for a precious winner. The Saints had Matthew Spiteri sent off in injury time.