Marsa: I. Casha, E. Yanchev, V. Bellia, N. Fasinelli, G. Bencini, E. Mbong, G. Martin, A. Scerri, F. Marius, K. Scerri, J. P Zammit (R. Micallef)

Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Sciriha, S. Grima (M. Ellul), J. Mifsud, T. Farrugia, P. Pullicino, O. Zongo, P. Fenech, D. Nwoke, I. Babatunde (C. Sciberras), R. Baldacchino

Referee: P. Caruana Asst. refs: K. Borg, M. Debono 4th official: A. Arciola

Scorer: D. Nwoke

Yellow cards: T. Farrugia, V. Bellia, G. Bencini, S. Grima, P. Sciriha, R. Baldacchino, D. Nwoke, F. Marius, I. Casha

Player of the match: Ibrahim Babatunde (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. J. Mifsud 2. G. Bencini 3. I. Babatunde

Msida St Joseph left it late to beat newly promoted side Marsa, courtesy of a Daniel Nwoke strike, three minutes from the end.

It was a deserved victory for the Saints, for all their ample possession and the numerous opportunities they carved out, especially in the second half. But Marsa might rightly feel aggrieved for the way they were beaten, after holding on for nearly the entire game.

There is room for improvement for Molzahn’s side, especially the need to translate their chances ruthlessly into goals. Yesterday, although mostly on the receiving end, they created two late opportunities which they failed to exploit when the match was still goalless.

They were finally made to pay the price.

Both sides paraded some new signings, who, although still too early to pass judgement, need more time to gel into their new surroundings. By their standards, Msida’s Baldacchino and Pullicino both had a quiet game in midfield. The latter also contrived to miss a late penalty. Sciriha was good on the right in defence, with Tyrone Farrugia as a central defender, making up for Theuma’s departure.

Marsa’s three new foreign recruits, formerly from Birkirkara, Pieta and Hibernians, might have promised much more than they delivered yesterday, especially Essien Mbong, who never really got started in midfield.

Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, Msida had little to show in a goalless first half, except for an early Babatunde incursion inside the Marsa area, after beating two opponents, but his low effort was well saved by the Marsa keeper Casha.

Marsa’s watertight defence left their opponents with no other option but to shoot from a distance. In all instances, efforts by Fenech, Baldacchino or Nwoke, missed the target.

The Saints showed more urgency after the interval. Babatunde served Zongo who shot wide and then Nwoke anticipated keeper Casha on Zongo’s deep cross but failed to put his header on target.

On 53 minutes, the Marsa keeper was forced to repel another Babatunde fierce drive.

For long stretches, the game continued to flash from one box to the other in a rather scrappy fashion, with niggling fouls on the increase, so much so that by the hour eight players had already been cautioned.

On 72 minutes, Bencini’s defensive clearance rebounded dangerously off team mate Fasinelli but Casha stretched himself to save.

While Msida created most of the opportunities, it was Marsa who could have emerged winners towards the end. Twice they threatened, but were foiled by Msida keeper’s Borg decisive saves.

On 74 minutes the lanky Andrew Scerri raced for a long ball forward. Though challenged by Baldacchino, his flick was blocked by the keeper’s outstretched leg.

With ten minutes remaining, Andrew Scerri again beat the Msida defence with his galloping run. Keeper Borg saved majestically his first attempt and then the rebound.

And when the match was heading to a draw, Msida broke the deadlock three minutes from the end. Daniel Nwoke connected well to substitute Ellul’s deep cross to volley the ball past the helpless Casha, despite Yanchev’s challenge.

In added time, Msida could have doubled their lead when they were awarded a penalty after Babatunde was felled by Casha inside the area, but the Marsa keeper made amends by saving Pullicino’s weak penalty kick.