Mqabba 4

Hamrun Spartans 1

Mqabba bid adieu to the Premier League last night when a lion-hearted performance and a victory against Hamrun Spartans was not enough to save their status.

This occurred because Mosta, direct rivals in the relegation struggle, beat Qormi thus assuring themselves of their stay in the Premier League for at least another season.

Therefore it will be Mqabba and Marsaxlokk who will be playing in the first division next season.

After a timid start, Mqabba fought like lions for every ball, but the news arriving from the National Stadium was not comforting as they must have desired.

In the first half, neither team set any houses on fire, but it was obvious that Mqabba showed a lot of determination and also took a 2-0 lead.

The Spartans lacked any sort of motivation, having made sure of salvation earlier. But they were still good enough to pull one back just before the interval from a penalty.

In the second half, Mqabba were like a spent force and Hamrun took the initiative, but still could not penetrate. And near the end, it was Mqabba who made sure of their victory with another goal.

Alas, it was in vain as Mosta also won their clash against Qormi, thus keeping their three point lead.

Mqabba did the early running and on seven minutes, a Mamic shot was blocked.

At the other end, soon afterwards, Azzopardi twice saved off Calabretta.

It was Mqabba who drew first blood on 17 minutes, Mamic scoring a beauty direct from a freekick.

On the 23rd minute, off a Camilleri freekick, R. Fenech’s header was easily saved by Azzopardi. At the other end, Cassar had to rush out to block a Mazitelli incursion.

Mqabba doubled their lead on the 32nd minute when Mamic won a tackle with Hartvig on a long clearance from the defence and advanced to beat Cassar with a low shot.

Hamrun reduced the arrears on the stroke of halftime, David Camilleri converting a penalty after Timotic floored Mauro Bonnici in the area.

At the start of the second half, Hamrun started playing better.

In the 48th minute, it was Kevin Sammut who hit wide from just outside the area.

Soon after it was Spiteri who had a shot blocked and later, it was Matthew Gauci who had an effort going wide.

Hamrun were now attacking in full swing and after 21 minutes, Ribeiro tested goalie Cassar from a freekick.

In a swift counter-attack, Mazitelli should have scored a third goal for Mqabba when put through by Calleja, but he saw his effort blocked by Cassar.

At the other end, Hamrun almost equalised but Sammut was unlucky to see his 20-metre effort hitting the crossbar.

Mqabba made sure of their win on the 82nd minute when Mazitelli crossed low for David Fenech to hit first time past Cassar. Mauro Bonnici denied Cucciardi a second Hamrun goal as he cleared from over the line.

And a minute from full time, it was Potezika who scored for Mqabba to make their win more impressive.

At the end, the Mqabba players received a richly deserved applause from their fans. And from these columns, I wish them a speedy return to the Premier League.

Mqabba: F. Azzopardi, M. Bonnici, C. Calleja, B. Timotic, JP Muscat (O. Farrugia), R. Duca (J. Briffa), M. Potezika, D. Azzopardi, B. Mamic, T. do Santos Mazitelli, D. Fenech

Coach: C. Mizzi.

Hamrun S.: A. Cassar, R. Fenech, R. Hartvig, S. Bonnici, M. Gauci (D. Cucciardi), G. Calabretta, D. Camilleri, L. Agius (A. Micallef), K. Sammut, G. Spiteri, AM Ribeiro.

Coach: S. Sultana.

Referee: A. Arciola.

Asst refs: W. Debattista, M. Debono.

4th official: K. Azzopardi.

Scorers: B. Mamic 17, 32, D. Camilleri 45, D. Fenech, M. Potezika,

Yellow cards: G. Calabretta, C. Calleja, R. Duca, R. Hartvig,

Player of the match: B. Mamic

TMI Top 3: 1. B. Mamic, 2. T. Mazitelli, 3. D. Camilleri.