Mqabba consolidated their leadership in Division One with an easy win against lowly Naxxar Lions. Mqabba confirmed their potential for a possible promotion to the Premier League.

The match never really reached high standards especially in the second half. With Mqabba home and dry having built a two-goal lead, the second half was less intense as the Lions completely threw in the towel.

The Lions are heading for trouble this season. With a weak defence, and with goalkeeper Agius showing some signs of weakness, they will have to improve considerably to avoid the drop.

In attack Anizoba's runs are not enough, as this player is practically playing on his own. Luck is not helping the Lions either as Anizoba finished the match in the heart of defence, with his side losing three players in quick succession - Kevin Fenech, Jonathan Grech and Spiteri Gonzi, all injured.

Mqabba, on the other hand, gave another solid display of attacking football with John Paul Muscat, Chibueze and Baldacchino again in top form. Matthew Cocks is also giving a good account of himself, together with veterans Albert Busuttil and Jesmond Delia.

Naxxar could have forged ahead early on when Ishmael Zammit sent Anizoba through, but the striker's lob that beat Calleja was cleared off the line by Bonnici

On ten minutes Anizoba who was the real danger man for the Lions, created havoc in the Mqabba rearguard but his shot hit the side netting. Eight minutes later it was Mqabba's turn to have a ball cleared off the line, when Nicolo Baldacchino mis-kicked in front of goal, and in romped John Paul Muscat whose shot was blocked on the goal line by Ramon Schembri.

On 24 minutes Mqabba went close again with an overhead kick by Chibueze going over the bar. Five minutes later Mqabba took a well deserved lead, when Chibueze nodded down to Nicolo Baldacchino who first timed beautifully into the net.

Naxxar's feeble reaction was left on Anizoba's shoulders with his constant runs, but these were never fruitful to his team mates.

Just before the break Mqabba doubled the score when a Busuttil freekick from the left was headed in from close range by Jesmar Abela, with the Naxxar defence motionless.

The second half was played at a very slow pace with Mqabba completely in command and with Naxxar unable to penetrate the well organised Mqabba defence. The league leaders pressed hard for further goals and a Chibueze header was blocked off the line by substitute Zahra. On 71 minutes Mqabba scored their third goal when Chibueze scored with a well taken overhead kick that completely beat a hesitant Agius.

The same Agius made amends minutes later when he dived to avoid a certain goal after defender Ramon Farrugia almost committed an own goal in an attempt to clear.