The final result is a clear indication that the St Venera youngsters were by far the better outfit during the whole 70 minutes as they created most of the actions and also managed to score five goals.

Following this game St Venera are in fourth position on 10 points from nine games while Mqabba are in penultimate position having only seven points from 10 games.

St Venera applied the early pressure and mounted four actions in a row. Neil Farrugia served Ranier Debono with a through ball; the latter served Keith Schembri in the area but he missed the upright from his shot.

Schembri then served Leroy Abela on the right flank and crossed to Jonathan Calleja in the area but the latter failed to apply the killer touch.

Ryan Grech served Debono in the area but Mqabba keeper Marlon Sacco foiled him by diving at his feet and smothered the ball. After a one-two between Schembri and Debono, Sacco saved the latter’s shot from inside the area. 

In the 12th minute St Venera forged ahead when from a flag kick by Ismael Alfalah, the ball was partly cleared outside the area and Grech scored the rebound with a hard shot. 

In the first action by Mqabba, Karl Formosa was fouled outside the area and the ball was headed away after the free kick by Jurgen Diacono. 

The Yellow/Blues resumed with their pressing. Abela dribbled past two opponents and after entering the area the ball hit the base of the upright from his shot with Sacco beaten and the ball was cleared.

Substitute Jonas Simbeye served Schembri with a through ball and Sacco was forced to come out of his charge to kick the ball upfield. 

A minute before the break, St Venera doubled the score as Abela dribbled past an opponent on the left flank and, after advancing, he scored with a rising shot in the top right hand corner. 

Seven minutes after restart the score became 3-0 when Abela dribbled past an opponent on the right flank and he scored with a cross-shot which completely deceived Sacco.

Mqabba reacted and Karl Saliba served Ryan Vella on the right flank but the latter missed the bar by inches. Then Kyle Azzopardi pounced on a loose ball and after entering the area, St Venera keeper Joel Xuereb, who had a very easy Sunday morning, saved his low shot.

In the 58th minute the score became 4-0 when Schembri served Grech in the area with a through ball and he scored with a low shot.

St Venera scored their fifth goal a minute from the end when Schembri dribbled past three opponents, entered the area and served Abela with a square pass. The latter found the net with a hard grounder.

Referee: Clinton Cassar 

Player of the match: Leroy Abela (St Venera)