Mqabba 3

Marsaxlokk 0

Mqabba registered their second consecutive win that temporarily lifts them two places in the Relegation Pool and keeps their salvation hopes alive.

In a sudden burst, they scored twice in quick succession in the first half, against depleted Marsaxlokk, to make sure of the points. Although they absorbed much of their opponents’ pressure in the second half, they still managed to score the third goal through a penalty on the stroke of full time.

Conversely, this second consecutive defeat leaves Marsaxlokk marooned at the bottom of the standings.

The last-minute suspensions of Potezika and Nwoba might have handicapped Mqabba’s preparations for this match. Yet, after a cagey start, Clive Mizzi’s boys steadied themselves to score two goals in as many minutes midway through the first half to take a firm grip on the match.

On 21 minutes, Mazitelli delivered a wide cross for Claudio Calleja to control the ball and beat keeper Cassar with a low shot.

Calleja turned provider hardly 60 seconds later as he played a through ball for John Paul Muscat to outpace Eboh and shoot low past the Marsaxlokk keeper.

After the drubbing against Hamrun Spartans, Marsaxlokk’s defence was depleted yesterday with absences of Modesto Valeriani, Patrick Borg and Clive Brincat. Trevor Templeman did not even feature in the squad.

The Southseasiders tried to make a reaction but looked flaccid in the face of Mqabba’s organised defence.

In fact Mqabba remained the better team and carved another good opportunity five minutes before the break. Marsaxlokk’s headed clearance on Mazitelli’s free kick fell to the unmarked Muscat who shot feebly from a promising position.

Marsaxlokk, however, went into the second half in more lively fashion and threatened with forages of Stoskovic and Pedroza down the flanks and Caruana through the middle. Stoskovic put his header narrowly off target from a throw-in. Mqabba were conceding several free kicks around their area, but Marsaxlokk failed to capitalise.

Mqabba looked menacing on 66 minutes. Mamic’s shot demanded a difficult save from keeper Cassar as he turned the ball over the post into a corner.

For all their second-half efforts, Marsaxlokk were unable to score at least a consolation goal. In the late stages, Oladutun was ruled offside on Agius’ perfect pass and then Sammut’s mascular challenge on Stoskovic inside the Mqabba area brought them only a corner.

The penalty came on the other end on the stroke of full time. Marsaxlokk’s defender Jonathan Xerri felled substitute Marlon Briffa inside the area and Bojan Mamic rounded up his side’s win from the penalty spot.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, P. Grima, J. Briffa (R. Sammut), B. Timotic, M.A. Psaila, T. Mazitelli, C. Calleja (D. Azzopardi)), J. P. Muscat (M. Briffa), M. Bonnici, D. Fenech, B. Mamic

Coach: C. Mizzi

Marsaxlokk: C. Cassar, J. Brincat, S. Borg (M. Valeriani), S. Eboh, J. Xerri, G. Caruana, J.P. Farrugia, L. Agius, P. Oladutun, N. Stoskovic, A. Pedrozo

Coach: A. Cremona

Referee: A. Azzopardi

Asst.refs: D. Sultana, R. Vella

4th official: P. Caruana

Scorers: C. Calleja 21, J. P. Muscat 22, B. Mamic 90 pen

Yellow cards: S. Borg, L. Agius, J. Briffa, M. Valeriani, J. Xerri

Player of the match: David Fenech (Mqabba)

TMI top 3: 1. T. Mazitelli 2. D. Fenech 3. G. Caruana