Marsa: J. Debono, E. Yanchev, D. Vella, K. Cassar, N. Fasinelli, K. Scerri, V. Bellia (I. Umoru), C. Achokwu, S. Cutajar, G. Martin (D. Cucciardi), W. Chircop (J. Dalli)
St George’s: A. Gatt, E. Sevasta, R. Conceicao, J. Spiteri, K. Darmanin (D. Galea), L. Grima, S. Borda (C. Wait), L. Lagana, H. Schembri, A. Effiong, N. Abela (J. Dalli)
Referee: K. Azzopardi Asst.refs: C. Micallef, K. Frendo Cumbo 4th official: A.M. Sant
Scorers: I. Umoru (2), N. Abela, S. Cutajar
Yellow cards: I. Umoru, K. Scerri, L. Lagana
Player of the match: Ishaku Umoru
TMI top three: 1.I. Umoru 2. K. Scerri 3. L. Grima
As they continued their farewell tour in the Premier, Marsa beat other relegated side St George’s yesterday to win this battle of the basement, played in front of almost empty stands.
Marsa’s first league win was a deserved one, albeit it came too late in the season. This time they refused to let their advantage go after taking an early lead through substitute Umoru and although the Saints snatched a temporary equaliser, more goals from Umoru and Cutajar made sure Marsa emerged worthy winners.
The first half was open, flowing and good to watch. The second was more scrappy and niggly.
Marsa, already bereft of Zammit and Bencini, were further hampered by the forced substitutions of Bellia and Martin, both injured, after only seven minutes.
But on 11 minutes, on a Scerri long free-kick, keeper Gatt rushed out to block Chircop and Umoru and as the ball fell into the latter’s path he slotted it in to give Marsa the lead.
The goal sparked an immediate response from St George’s, missing the services of the suspended Brincat and Mizzi as well as Do Nascimento in attack, and went close through Grima and Effiong. It was just past the half hour that they drew level. Grima’s weighted free-kick thumped against the upright and with the keeper completely beaten, Nazzareno Abela shot in the loose ball.
But before the break, Marsa managed to take a two-goal cushion courtesy of two strikes within as many minutes.
On 35 minutes Ishaku Umoru ran unhindered on the left towards the byeline and beat keeper Gatt with a low drive from an acute angle. Two minutes later, Shawn Cutajar capitalised on the Saints’ hesitancy in their flimsy defence, to lob the ball over the onrushing keeper.
The post also denied Marsa a fourth goal, holding out Cucciardi’s effort.
The second half was less exciting as play remained bottom of the table stuff. St George’s enjoyed the better share of possession but their passing was awry and tame efforts from Effiong and Grima lacked decent finishing, enabling Marsa to defend their lead with minimal difficulty.