Marsaxlokk 1

Msida SJ 0

Msida SJ: O. Borg, P. Sciriha, J. Mifsud, S. Grima, T. Farrugia, P. Pullicino, A. Farrugia, K. Ebejer (L. Micallef), D. Nwoke, I. Babatunde, R. Baldacchino (C. Sciberras)

Marsaxlokk: R. Debono, S. Wellman, L. Dimech, C. Mamo, M. Licari, G. Sciberras, J. Pace, C. Frendo, D. Bogdanovic, H. Doda, K. Sammut

Referee: A. Zammit Asst.refs: K. Borg, P. Agius 4th official: A. Azzopardi

Scorer: K. Sammut

Yellow cards: S. Wellman, P. Pullicino, K. Sammut, P. Sciriha, R. Baldacchino

Player of the match: Omar Borg (Msida SJ)

TMI top three: 1. O. Borg 2. K. Sammut 3. D. Bogdanovic

Marsaxlokk’s 12th win in the Premier League, beating second placed Msida St Joseph by a late Kevin Sammut headed goal, leaves them nine points clear at the top of the table. Their effective and reliable style under coach Talbot continued with another assured, albeit narrow victory yesterday. They keep showing the consistency of champions in a season that threatens to be a memorable one for the Southseasiders.

The leaders could have won by a bigger score were it not for Omar Borg’s heroics in the Msida goal, earning him the accolade of the match’s best player, as Marsaxlokk dominated for long stretches despite Msida’s decent challenge as the second best team in the premier League so far.

Msida were deprived of important players in midfield by the forced absences of the suspended Zongo and Fenech as well as Cachia. Coach Patrick Curmi gave starts to Adrian Farrugia, Ebejer and Baldacchino.

On their part, leaders Marsaxlokk were at full strength, with Pace and Sammut starting the match.

Msida elected for caution, against a team who had won 11 and drawn one of their last 12 matches.

However the Saints carved out the first opportunity after seven minutes, as

Marsaxlokk took some time to settle. Babatunde failed to connect in front of goal, on Adrian Farrugia’ teasing cross.

Gradually, Marsaxlokk began to find their rhythm and took the initiative, looking menacing with their fast pace and slick passing. Sammut and Frendo were always a threat with their pacey runs down the flanks and some excellent goalkeeping from Omar Borg ensured the stalemate prevailed till half time.

Midway through the half. Doda’s firm header on Frendo’s cross was superbly saved by Borg. Past the half hour, Borg twice doused efforts, when stretching himself, from a Doda drive and then a Bogdanovic shot. Just before the break,Bogdano-vic’s inswinging free-kick forced the Msida keeper to dive to his left and save.

Marsaxlokk looked less incisive at the start of the second half and struggled to take the game to disciplined opponents who were content to fall back and defend, attacking only on the break.

With over an hour gone it was still anybody’s game. Baldacchino’s tame effort was saved by keeper Debono while Mamo headed Sammut’s corner kick wide. Another Bogdanovic header was off target.

Pace’s rasping shot on 70 minutes was held out by Borg, producing another top notch save.

The Msida keeper again denied Bogdanovic, palming out his shot on the turn to keep his side into the match.

But hopes of a point flickered away for Msida when Kevin Sammut scored

Marsaxlokk’s winner four minutes from normal time, heading in at the far post Bogdanovic’s deep cross from the byeline.

For all their efforts, Msida succumbed to their second league defeat, again by Marsaxlokk, and as they lose further ground on the leaders, Sliema Wanderers follow hot on their heels.