Mqabba 5
St. George’s 3
Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Catania, M. Bonnici, A. Busuttil (D. Demanuele), J. Delia, M. Anastasi (J. Abela), N. Baldacchino (E. Borg), J.P. Muscat, I. Chibueze, M. Cocks, C. Camoin.
St. George’s: B. Paris, E. Degabriele, E. Sevasta, R. Conceicao, A. Bonello, S. Borda (D. Camilleri) (C. Wait), J. Spiteri, C. Brincat, L. Mizzi, E. Do Nascimento, S. Hammed.
Referee – S. Tanti, Ass. Referees – Ms. E. Farrugia, P. Agius, 4th official – A. Arciola.
Scorers – Do Nascimento 3 (1 pen), J.P. Muscat 3, J. Delia (pen), Chibueze.
Yellow cards: E. Degabriele, N. Baldacchino, M. Bonnici, A. Bonello, M. Cocks, I. Chibueze, R. Conceicao, E. Borg
Red card: B. Paris, I. Chibueze
First Division leaders Mqabba sprung the first surprise of this season’s U*Bet FA Trophy when they beat Premier side St George’s 5-3 in a match that dragged into extra time.
The match was very interesting and had all the ingredients of a cup thriller.
John Paul Muscat for Mqabba and Do Nascimento for St George’s scored a hat trick each. Both teams had a player sent off, with St George’s finishing the match without their second goalkeeper Camilleri, as he was injured on the occasion of Mqabba’s fifth and final goal.
Referee Tanti awarded two very dubious penalties in this match to add more spice to the encounter. In the end Mqabba emerged worthy winners, demonstrating once again that they have all the ingredients to make it to the Premier League next season.
St George’s, with some regular players missing, had only four players on their bench and were rather disappointing, especially after their fine display against Floriana in the Premier League. Do Nascimento was their star with other striker Hammed in dismal form.
St George’s made their first attempt through a Do Nascimento freekick on 13 minutes which was easily saved by goalkeeper Calleja. Sixty seconds later Borda stole a good ball just outside the area but his shot was rather weak and off target.
On 16 minutes John Paul Muscat had his first attempt for Mqabba with his shot going well over the bar. Four minutes later St. George’s missed a good opportunity through Lawrence Mizzi whose shot went over the bar.
This was a good patch for St George’s as they pressed their opponents in their penalty area, with Do Nascimento going near with a well taken freekick.
However, St George’s took the lead on 26 minutes when Do Nascimento headed in from close range a Lawrence Mizzi freekick from the left.
However the Saints’ joy was shortlived as Mqabba equalised five minutes later. Anastasi provided a good ball to Nicolo Baldacchino whose cross shot found John Paul Muscat completely unmarked, and the Mqabba striker made no mistake, slamming the ball home.
This goal gave Mqabba the edge over the Premier side as the First Division leaders started to play the better football. Just before the break, Mqabba were rather unlucky when a Chibueze shot on the turn almost beat goalkeeper Paris: the latter could only partially save, but the ball was cleared off the line by defender Conceicao.
In the second half Mqabba introduced Demanuele for Albert Busuttil. Neither side prevailed in the opening minutes with play mainly in midfield. On the hour, however, St George’s were back in the lead when from another Lawrence Mizzi freekick, Do Nascimento rose above the rest to head towards goal, with the ball slamming against the crossbar and finishing at the back of the net after hitting the goalkeeper’s back.
Mqabba’s reaction was rather shaky and St George’s seemed well in control of the match until the 70th minute. Chibueze was tackled inside the area by goalkeeper Bernard Paris, with referee opting for the penalty and showing Paris the red card for a very harsh and disputed decision. From the resultant penalty, ex-St George’s player Jesmond Delia made no mistake with a fierce drive.
St George’s had to defend in the remaining minutes with Mqabba trying to snatch a dramatic winner. Seven minutes from time Nicolo Baldacchino missed a glorious chance in front of goal following a good Muscat break, but the ex-Floriana striker failed to beat substitute goalkeeper Camilleri.
On 89 minutes Do Nascimento had a good run from midfield, dribbled past a couple of defenders and was floored inside the area by defender Mauro Bonnici, for another harsh decision. From the penalty spot Do Nascimento beat Calleja to score his hat trick and put ten-man St George’s back in the lead. But Mqabba equalised a minute later when Chibueze pounced on a bad Saints’ defensive clearance to snatch a dramatic equaliser.
In extra time Chibueze received his first yellow card for simulation, and minutes later was shown the red card for dissent. Do Nascimento went close to his poker when his freekick slammed against the upright with Calleja beaten.
At the start of the second period of extra time Mqabba went ahead for the first time when John Paul Muscat beat the offside trap to receive a loose ball, dribbled past goalkeeper Camilleri before planting the ball in an empty net.
On 120 minutes John Paul Muscat obtained his hat trick when he made full use of a defensive blunder by Sevasta, and once again dribbled past goalkeeper Darren Camilleri to put the issue beyond any doubt.