Marsa-Dingli S 0-7

Marsa suffered a humiliating drubbing by Dingli Swallows and were knocked out of the U*BET FA Trophy at the first round. The first Division team, only relegated from the Premier League last season, had reached the quarter final of the same competition last year. This time however, they look poor, with many deficiencies in defence, a lightweight midfield and an inexistent attack.

Dingli were already two goals up by halftime, courtesy of an Uchenna Anyanwu brace, and could have even scored more goals as they dominated play and created the afternoon’s better chances, even denied by the woodwork.

Anyanwu broke the deadlock midway through the half when he chased Spiteri’s long ball forward, outplayed his opponents with some neat footwork before slotting the ball low underneath the keeper Spiteri’s outstretched body.

Marsa’s only reaction in the first half came on the half hour and nearly brought them an equalizer. Xerri played the ball to Camilleri inside the area, the latter forcing keeper Farrugia to tip his shot over the bar. From the ensuing corner, Kevin Cassar shot against the bar.

But the Swallows remained in control and after a Cachia effort was blocked by Vella on the goal line, Anyanwu picked Spiteri’s short pas on the edge of the area on 39 minutes, shot on the turn with the ball hitting the inner post, rebounding off the keeper’s body and over the line for Dingli’s 2-0 lead.

Marsa made two substitutions at halftime, but with the wind behind their backs, Dingli still looked superior, although culpable of some profligacy in front of goal. Anyanwu played a deft one-two with Agius, but put his final shot wide.

On 53 minutes free kick from the left was headed by Jason Cachia beyond the keeper’s reach at the far post.

On 67 minutes substitute Tabone scored with a header but, what looked like a legitimate goal, was disallowed for Anyanwu’s offside position, although the player was not interfering with play.

Soon after, Spiteri shot over with only the onrushing goalkeeper to beat but Anyanwu completed his hat-trick on 75 minutes, finishing off Roe’s pass.

Two minutes later Anyanwu fell to Cutajar’s challenge and the referee awarded Dingli a penalty which Muscat purposely shot over the bar as Marsa had a grounded player injured.

The match took a farcical twist in the late stages as Marsa collapsed to concede three more goals within five minutes. Dingli earned another penalty on 79 minutes when Alex Cassar fouled Roe and Anyanwu made it 5-0 from the spot kick. Three minutes later Anyanwu played a square ball to the unmarked Darren Roe to beat keeper Spiteri.

And five minutes from time, Marsa’s humiliation was complete.

Their static defence was caught out by Anyanwu’s heeled-pass to Jeremy Agius to beat the keeper with a low angled drive.

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Marsa: R. Spiteri, S. Cutajar, D. Vella, C. Guzmann (I. Borg), C. Sacco (J. Rizzo), J.P. Zammit, K. Cassar, J. Camilleri, J. Achokwu, K. Xerri, A. Cassar (R. Mallia)

Dingli S: J. Farrugia, A. Casha, F. Cauchi, R. Spiteri, K. Formosa (D. Roe), C. Muscat, J. Agius, J. Cachia (B. Genovese), E. Farrugia (C. Tabone), B. Galea, U. Anyanwu

Referee: A. Azzopardi asst.refs: J. Camilleri, K. Borg

Scorers: U. Anyanwu (4) 1 pen, J. Cachia, D. Roe, J. Agius