What a fine match this was. Although there was too much at stake, this game was another classic, like the one played between the two teams in the first round which had finished 3-3.Mosta 2

Qormi 2

What a fine match this was. Although there was too much at stake, this game was another classic, like the one played between the two teams in the first round which had finished 3-3.

So important it was, that in front of the biggest crowd of the season, including Minister John Dalli who was present supporting his home town Qormi, this was a game which looked to have been sewn up as Mosta were comfortably in the lead with 10 minutes to go.

But Mosta lost their composure when they had Antonio Saliba sent off. They left gaps in their rearguard, and also they missed Carlos Camenzuli who was substituted after Saliba’s expulsion.

Mosta looked like they edging closer to Premier League football after they took a 2-0 lead with barely 18 minutes gone. Michael Molzahn’s side were the better side in the first half. They were faster, playing with better technique and a more direct game.

The match was played in high-spirits with the Mosta band never taking a break for a minute in order to give the team a lift after some bad results. After only four minutes Mosta forged ahead when from a Massimo Grima free-kick Matthew Farrugia saved well for a corner. From the resulting corner Massimo Grima’s passed to Elton Vella whose cross was met by Ndayi Kalenga who rifled home from inside the area leaving the Qormi custodian helpless.

Mosta continued to show the better ideas. Jesmond Zerafa’s side was stunned and they left the initiative to Mosta who, after waves of attacks, made it 2-0 in the 18th minute when following a melee inside the Qormi area Steve Borg came from nowhere to hit a missile that left Matthew Farrugia unable to move and do something.

Mosta could have wrapped the game up on the half hour when Massimo Grima found Kalenga unmarked, but the Congolese striker wasted the opportunity by shooting wide. Qormi could not find their rhythm with the usual midfield duo of Joseph Chetcuti and Joseph Farrugia out of touch.

On the resumption Qormi tried to change their tactics by pressing more and on 63 minutes Nigerian striker Alloysius Ihebulu tried a first time effort which was saved in two attempts by Jonathan Debono.

But at the other end on 65 minutes Qormi keeper Matthew Farrugia kept his side in the game as he produced a magnificent save off a Carlos Camenzuli close-range header following a Ryan Deguara cross.

On 71 minutes Qormi suffered a severe setback when they had Alloysius Ihebulu sent-off after head-butting Massimo Grima in the middle of the park. The game became more interesting and three minutes later, with Carmel Formosa cunningly escaping the attention of Antonio Saliba, the former San Gwann defender fouled the Qormi striker who looked through, and Saliba was sent-off.

Nine minutes from time Qormi were back in it when Kurt Zammit overlapped from the right-flank and his shot went in off between the goalkeeper and the post. A minute later it was Kurt Zammit who crossed to find Joseph Chetcuti who headed the ball home.

There could have been more drama a minute after the equaliser when Clyde Camoin crossed to the unmarked Joseph Chetcuti who this time failed to make any contact. In injury time Qormi could have snatched a dramatic winner when Joseph Farrugia found Carmel Formosa onside, the veteran striker crossed for Joseph Chetcuti whose drive was cleared by a number of Mosta defenders who were guarding their goal.

Now it seems all will go down to the wire with Tarxien having the destiny in their hands as two wins in their last two matches will guarantee them promotion.

Marsa 1

Vittoriosa S 4

Larry Lagana’s early goal at the Hibs Ground gave Vittoriosa momentum and plunged struggling Marsa into even deeper relegation trouble. In fact Jimmy Briffa’s side stayed firmly rooted at the bottom of the table and only a miracle could now keep them up.

Just three minutes had passed when Larry Lagana volleyed into the top-left corner a free-kick which was also helped by the wind before beating Roderick Spiteri. In the first round Vittoriosa had beaten Marsa 2-1 and without even responding in search for an equalizer, a double for the Cottonera side looked practically home and dry.

Despite the return of veterans Alan Mifsud and Daniel Gatt, Marsa looked a disorganized side and practically without any self-belief. The Stars striker Johan Spiteri spurned a chance on 11 minutes 12 yards, although it was also from an angle. Marsa replied with an Alan Mifsud free-kick was punched clear by Ivan Cassar.

Following that early goal with Vittoriosa dictating matters. Marsa only ha done shot at goal in the first 45 minutes and this came when a Warren Chircop drive finished over the crossbar. But it was Cassar who again came to rescue for Marsa when he saved another Lagana drive following some good work by Zammit.

Anthony Evi Parker, until know having a quiet game decided to wake up and on 50 minutes had a drive which Cassar again showed excellent reflexes to parry another effort.

On 62 minutes it was Evi Parker again who drove the ball wide following some good work by Grech.

Two minutes later the Stars shone again when following a quick counter again Leighton Grech was too quick for the Marsa defence to advance, enter the area and scored with a low drive.

On 72 minutes Marsa were dead and buried when Anthony Evi Parker showed his mettle when following a quick counter attack he came face to face with Roderick Spiteri who was dribbled, with the Nigerian slotting the ball into an empty net.

Marsa tried to get back into the game and on 80 minutes they managed to pull one back when Warren Chircop tried his luck from outside the area to bend the ball past Ivan Cassar. With five minutes to go Vittoriosa suffered a severe setback when veteran Ivan Zammit was sent-off for dissent.

But although Massimo Cremona side were playing with a man-down, it was another quick counter attack which again was finished off by Anthony Devi Parker, who again dribbled past the Marsa custodian although this time with some luck to slot the ball home.