Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, L. Dimech (T. Templeman), S. Wellman, J. Pace (A. Da Silva), C. Mamo, K. Sammut, S. Bajada, H. Doda , G. Sciberras, D. Bogdanovic, C. Magro (M. Licari)
Marsa: J. Debono, J. Dalli, D. Vella, K. Cassar, K. Scerri, N. Fasinelli, D. Cucciardi (A. Scerri), V. Bellia (I. Borg), E. Yanchev, G. Martin, W. Chircop (B. Zammit)
Referee: K. Azzopardi Asst. Refs: J. Rapa, M. Debono 4th official: C. Pisani
Scorers: D. Bogdanovic (2), H. Doda, M. Licari
Yellow cards: C. Magro, G. Martin
Red card: J. Dalli
Player of the match: Daniel Bogdanovic (Marsaxlokk)
TMI top three: 1. D. Bogdanovic 2. S. Bajada 3. E. Yanchev
Marsaxlokk were expected to win this one but a very controversial decision just before half time led to the dismissal of Marsa defender Jeremy Dalli with Marsaxlokk one goal up.
That proved to be the turning point of the match as the leaders fully exploited their numerical superiority in the second half to score three more goals and confirm the gulf of class between the two sides, widening the gap to four clear points at the top of the league standings.
Dalli's sending off though sparked some understandable wrath from the Marsa clan as their player head butted Kevin Sammut, after the latter had elbowed him in an off the ball incident which referee Azzopardi failed to notice but acted only on the instructions of his assistant Debono after drawing the referee's attention about the incident.
Marsa had competed in their gutsy and athletic way for almost the entire first half, but ultimately sheer ability told.
Marsaxlokk were bereft of the services of the injured Andre Schembri while the not fully fit Frendo sat on the bench. There were starts for Doda and Bajada.
Marsa were under the guidance of new coach Edmond Lufi, following Molzahn's resignation. Mbong and Ewurun were also missing after being released by the club.
Marsa's defensive set up allowed Marsaxlokk to take the initiative, but the leaders took long to make it count in the face of a disciplined and well organised Marsa side, looking menacing on the break.
The first 20 minutes were totally barren and immediately after that we were treated to only the merest hint of quality as the advancing Bajada hit the side netting on Doda's pass towards the middle and Sammut also hit Pace's through ball wide soon after.
On the half hour, Martin tried to surprise Marsaxlokk's keeper Gauci with a quickly-taken free-kick but to no avail.
On 33 minutes Marsaxlokk were awarded a penalty after Cassar tripped Sammut, who had ran havoc inside the Marsa area with his mazy run. Daniel Bogdanovic scored from the spot kick to put his side in front.
Three minutes later Doda squandered an open chance when, alone in front of a gaping goal, he hit the post on Bogdanovic's inviting cross.
One minute before the break, Marsa were down to ten men and Marsaxlokk nearly exploited their numerical superiority when Dimech headed Bajada's corner kick just over.
The second half belonged to Marsaxlokk and to Daniel Bogdanovic. He headed in Bajada's cross from the left after only five minutes play. And after Doda had another effort held out by the cross bar, Bogdanovic showed all his footwork qualities past the hour, as he grounded Vella, put the keeper off balance and laid an inviting ball to the unmarked Haruna Doda to toe-poke and make it three nil.
Marsaxlokk continued to play with training ground easiness and effected all three substitutions, saving their resources for sterner tests ahead.
With the match virtually lost, Marsa kept trying but were only allowed to chase their superior opponents, who also found time to score their fourth goal four minutes from time, courtesy of substitute Malcolm Licari's firm header off a Bajada corner kick.