Dingli S 4

Pieta H 1

Leontiev Konda was in brilliant form yesterday as he led his side to a comfortable 4-1 victory over Pieta, thus avenging the 1-6 drubbing suffered in the first round.

Dingli fully deserved their victory in this entertaining match, with many scoring chances especially from the Swallows. However Pieta had the merit of never throwing in the towel as they continued to offer stiff resistance to their opponents.

However Pieta’s defence was not at its best yesterday as it was easily and repeatedly ripped apart by a Konda, who had a five star performance.

Pieta had the first attempt at goal with a Robson Bandeira header going slightly of target, with Dingli hitting back soon afterwards with a Reuben Vella effort going wide.

On eight minutes Prince Will Okachi’s cross was not met by Sapiano in an interesting Dingli move. Six minutes later Dingli took the lead when Ryan Sammut headed home a well taken corner by Konda.

Dingli continued to dictate matters and an Okachi shot slightly missed the target. But on 34 minutes Dingli doubled the score when Leontiev Konda passed towards Okachi who kept his cool in front of Vella and slotted the ball home. Just before the break Dingli could have added a third but Sapiano’s effort sailed over the bar.

On the resumption Pieta tried to get back in the game and Bandeira’s effort missed the base of the upright by a whisker. On 51 minutes Dingli made it three when Kevin Borg’s freekick found Konda completely unmarked, and the Bulgarian crowned his great performance heading the ball home.

On 63 minutes Dingli goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia made a stunning save off a Sheldon Grech scorcher, and two minutes later Dingli put the issue beyond doubt. Leontiev Konda did all the spade work and Kevin Borg had an easy task slotting the ball home for Dingli’s fourth.

Defender had two attempts brilliantly blocked by the Pieta goalkeeper as Dingli continued to weave their attacks. On the other end Bandeira created havoc in the Dingli rearguard, but his cross was not met by Campos with an open goal at his mercy.

Bandeira and Zach Muscat tried their luck as Pieta pushed for a consolation goal, but Dingli were unlucky when a Konda shot on the turn smacked against the upright.

Six minutes from time Pieta reduced the arrears when substitute Sheldon Grech beat substitute Abela from an acute angle. Pieta pushed for more with Campos denied by Abela from close range efforts.

Dingli S - J. Farrugia (M. Abela) K. Pace, R. Sammut, S. Tellus, K. Borg, R. Vella (C. Ciappara), K. Formosa, J. Sapiano, L. Konda, P. Okachi, E. Farrugia (K. Bonavia)

Pieta H - K. Vella, D. Owuo, B. Sciberras, C. Grech, Q. Refalo (L. Mallia), L. Bandiera, S. Grech (T. Agius), D. Campos, Z. Muscat, I. Grech, K. Fedele (D. Camilleri)

Referee - Glenn Tonna

Mqabba win crucial match with second half goalsMqabba 3

Lija A 1

A John Paul Muscat goal and a brace form Brazilian Thiago Mazitelli helped Mqabba win a crucial promotion match against challengers Lija, to go temporarily in second place.

This result practically eliminates Lija from the promotion race, and puts Mqabba among the hot favourites to join run-away leaders Balzan in the top flight.

Everything happened in the second half after a rather dull first fourty five minutes. Mqabba fully deserved their victory against a Lija side which failed to be menacing in front with Antoine Sacco and Dzanovic never coming to grips with the Mqabba defensive set up.

The first half was very fast and interesting in the first part, with both sides going near to scoring an early, but after the promising start the match faded away rsulting in a boring affair.

Mqabba who started without Cakigi created the first chance with John Paul Muscat’s attempts, being saved by an alert Sean Mintoff in the Lija goal. Lija hit back with a scorcher from Marko Potezica and the Mqabba goalkeeper and captain Kris Calleja effected a spectacular save.

Mintoff was again called into action on nine minutes saving brilliantly a breath taking freekick by Wilson Caushi. On 25 minutes a Wilson Caushi cross from the right was met by Thiago Mazitelli whose header went slightly over the bar.

As previously said the match lost much of its flair, with Lija having a slight edge in the final minutes of the first half. Striker Wayne Borg St John failed to control to a long ball from Kurt Formosa, and Keith Darmanin tested Calleja following a melee inside the Mqabba box.

Seven minutes into the second half Mqabba forged ahead when Thaigo Mazitelli dribbled round two defenders before passing towards John Paul Muscat who made no mistake from a couple of meters.

But their joy was short lived as four minutes later were back on level terms when Daniel Scerri headed home a good Keith Darmanin cross from the left.

Five minutes later Mqabba were back in front when John Paul Muscat was unstoppable on the left flank and crossed towards Mazitelli who beat Sean Mintoff from close range.

Mqabba were now in the driving seat and they sealed Lija’s fate on 71 minutes when Briffa and Caushi combined well on the right flank, with Mintoff partially blocking the Albanian’s effort and from the rebound Mazitelli obtained his brace.

The match was now won and lost, as Lija were not able to recover. Mqabba administered their two-goal lead with relative ease, even going close to further goals.

Mqabba – K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Bonnici, A. Scicluna, B. Timotic, D. Azzopardi, T. Mazitelli, J.P. Muscat (C. Calleja), I. Curmi (M. Briffa), W. Caushi (A. Cakigi), S. Magro.

Lija A – S. Mintoff, M. Camilleri, M. Fleri Soler, D. Scerri, A. Sacco (A. Saliba), M. Potezica, W. Borg St. John (A. Buhagiar), K. Darmanin, K. Formosa (B. Antignolo), A. Scicluna, A. Dzanovic.

Referee – Paul Apap