Mqabba 2
Msida SJ 0
Mqabba returned to winning ways beating bottom placed Msida SJ with a goal in each half. It was a deserved victory for Clive Mizzi’s boys who moved to second place level on points with Mosta and St George’s, but having played a game more than the Saints.
Msida remain firmly at the bottom of the table as their new imports Enyi, Alinhio and Ture’ are failing to leave their mark on the performance of the side.
Victory apart, Mqabba’s performance was far from satisfying as they seem a far cry from their brilliant form in the first part of the season.
Msida made their first attempt at goal on five minutes when Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja saved his side following a Jonathan Mifsud brilliant header. Mqabba hit back with a Mazitelli effort following some good work by John Paul Muscat.
Mqabba held the edge over their opponents for long stretches and went close again on 20 minutes when a Claudio Calleja shot was well saved by Jeremy Alden. Four minutes later Mqabba broke the deadlock when Marlon Briffa found the back of the net following attempts by Mark Anthony Psaila.
Mqabba lost Mazitelli who was substituted by James Shead and this player was immediately called in action with his shot going inches wide. Mqabba controlled their opponents and maintained their lead till the first half.
On the resumption Msida had a golden opportunity to obtain the equalizer when Ture’ crossed towards Enyi who was blocked by a daring sortie by goalkeeper Kris Calleja. Minutes later it was Mqabba’s turn to miss a good chance when Shaun Magro ripped Msida’s defence apart but his cross in front of goal was not met by any of his team mates.
The match was rather boring for most of the second half until Mqabba finally sealed the issue with a second goal on 78 minutes. A Muscat corner was headed by Calleja towards Briffa whose effort was blocked by Jeremy Alden and from the rebound Branislav Timotic fired the ball home from close range.
Minutes later Mqabba went close again when John Paul Muscat beat a couple of defenders before testing Alden and from the rebound James Shead missed the base of the upright by a whisker. Eight minutes from time John Paul Muscat again made his way past the Msida defenders but his shot skimmed the crossbar with Jeremy Alden beaten.
Mqabba – K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, M. Bonnici, B. Timotic, M.A. Psaila, M. Briffa, T. Mazitelli (J. Shead), C. Calleja, J.P. Muscat (M. Anastasi), J. Debattista, S. Magro.
Msida S.J. – J. Alden; A. Farrugia, L. Micallef, N. Curmi, J. Mifsud, J. D’Amato (R. Caruana), M. Borda, V. Ture, G. Enyi (M. Curtis), J. Delia, V. Alinho
Referee – Malcolm Spiteri