Mqabba 1

Marsaxlokk 0

A defensive lapse by Marsaxlokk’s defender Sascha Borg enabled Bojan Mamic to score the all important goal, soon after the interval, that gave Mqabba a win and three points that lift them above Hamrun Spartans in the standings.

Mqabba carved out chances galore, especially in the first half, but fluffed them in equal measure. Mazitelli and Mamic were too erratic in their finishing.

Most of Mqabba’s danger came down the right flank where defender Sascha Borg was at pains to hold out Shawn Magro’s incursions during the first 45 minutes, although Mqabba failed to capitalise and the match was still goalless at halftime.

Depleted Marsaxlokk were spearheaded by Malcolm Licari in attack but looked a blunt instrument without good service.

Carlo Mamo played in midfield, in front of the defence, and was his side’s point of inspiration. Patrick Borg and Clive Brincat played as centre backs.

Neither side managed to put a shot on target during the first quarter hour with a shot and a free kick by Mamic both going over as Mqabba tried to take a grip on the early proceedings.

But their first real threat came from a Calleja shot from edge of the area which severely tested keeper Christian Cassar in the Marsaxlokk goal after 20 minutes.

Six minutes later, Mqabba crafted a good move, started by Grima towards Calleja who crossed low. Mamic laid the ball in the path of Potezika, who shot horrendously over.

Mqabba fluffed another chance past the half hour when Magro played the ball back from the byeline on the right for Mazitelli to hit weak and out.

Mqabba again should have scored when Magro went past Borg from the right, played the ball back towards Timotic, who could control but failed to put his shot on target.

Marsaxlokk, who had been mostly bystanders, went closest three minutes from the break when Licari headed Farrugia’s long throw-in against the bar and the ball was cleared into a corner. Then, on Licari’s long ball forward, Caruana headed wide.

In between though, Calleja’s dipping shot from the edge of the area, was tipped over into a corner by keeper Cassar as another Mqabba chance went begging.

But Mqabba were gifted a goal within a minute of the restart. Sascha Borg played a short pass to his goalkeeper and Bojan Mamic was quick to take the ball into his stride and score.

Mqabba, who had put in David Azzopardi for Magro at the start of the second period, moved Marlon Briffa wide on the right flank.

But they looked less dangerous as Marsaxlokk remained composed. Mazitelli’s grounder went narrowly wide towards the hour. But with only a goal down, Marsaxlokk were still in the game.

With eight minutes remaining, Farrugia’s glaring miss deprived them of an equaliser. The Marsaxlokk forward went past Bonnici inside the area and with only the keeper to beat, he shot incredibly wide.

Surviving that scare, and with keeper Cassar blocking Mamo’s free kick, Mqabba went on to defend their minimal lead to take three important points.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Potezika, B. Timotic, M. Briffa, T. Mazitelli (R. Sammut), C. Calleja, M. Bonnici, C. Micallef, B. Mamic (J. P. Muscat), S. Magro (D. Azzopardi)

Coach: C. Mizzi

Marsaxlokk: C. Cassar, M. Valeriani, P. Borg, C. Brincat, S. Borg, C. Mamo, S. Eboh, M. Licari, G. Caruana (S. Cutajar), J.P. Farrugia, D. Grech (K. Polidano)

Coach: A. Cremona

Referee: F. Zammit

Asst.refs: I. Spiteri, D. Sultana

4th official: M. Borg

Scorer: B. Mamic 46

Yellow cards: M. Briffa, C. Mamo, C. Brincat, C. Calleja, C. Micallef

Player of the match: Bojan Mamic (Mqabba)

TMI top 3: 1. C. Calleja 2. M. Briffa 3. C. Mamo