Ten-man Mqabba turned defeat into victory yesterday against other promotion aspirants St George’s in a highly entertaining match.

Mqabba fielding new signings Wilson Caushi and Advan Cakigi, but without Shaun Magro, were the better team in the early stages and went close on several occasions.

But on 35 minutes St George’s were boosted when Mqabba’s David Azzopardi was sent off and four minutes later the Saints took the lead.

But in the second half although with such a handicap Mqabba stormed forward and managed to turn the tide in their favour with three goals, to which the Saints had nothing to show.

In the end Mqabba were worthy winners as they move to second place in the table a mere point behind leaders Balzan and two above St George’s and Mosta.

Caushi went close in the opening minute with an angled shot sailing over the bar. Two minutes later John Paul Muscat crossed towards Marlon Briffa whose first timer went well over the bar.

On six minutes Brazilian Ruiz passed towards Dylan Zarb whose grounder missed the base of the upright by a whisker. On 19 minutes Mqabba goalkeeper Calleja miskicked the ball but he managed to recover saving Gary Inguanez’s attempt.

On 25 minutes Caushi passed towards Claudio Calleja who tested Galea with a grounder.Ten minutes Ruiz nipped past a hesitant Mqabba defence and David Azzopardi floored the Brazilian who was all alone in front of goal. Referee Apap dismissed Azoopardi and four minutes later more good news for the Saints when they won a penalty for a Pierre Grima handling infringement. Kris Calleja saved Ruiz’s shot from the penalty spot but the Brazilian headed in the rebound.

Just before the break St George’s went close to scoring a second but Timotic cleared the danger just before Mark Barbara was about to score from close range.

In the second half the Saints opted to control the match, but Mqabba were a determined lot and on 55 minutes they obtained the equalizer. Newcomer Cakigi did all the running before crossing towards John Paul Muscat who scored from close range. The Saints panicked and seven minutes later Mqabba forged ahead when Claudio Calleja passed towards the unmarked Marlon Briffa who easily kept his calm to beat Galea.

St George’s introduced new blood in Ryan Sell and Terence Farrugia to try and save the game but to no avail. The Saints went close with a Benoir Fenech effort but Mqabba were finding space in their fast breaks.

Two minutes from time Claudio Calleja crowned a five star performance when he scored a beauty direct from a freekick to put the issue beyond doubt.

St. George’s T. Galea, L. Agius, L. Stivala (T. Farrugia), B. Fenech (N. Caruana), A. Bonello, E. Sevasta, E. Amaira, G. Inguanez (R. Sell), D. Zarb, J. Ruiz, M. Barbara.

Mqabba K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Bonnici, B. Timotic, M.A. Psaila (I. Curmi), M. Briffa, D. Azzopardi, C. Calleja (J. Shead), J.P. Muscat (M. Grioli), A. Cakigi, W. Caushi.

Referee Paul Apap