San Ġwann 1 Mqabba 1

It is true Mqabba had the better of the possession and goal-scoring opportunities but they should blame themselves for not getting the 3 points when they played more than 20 minutes (together with time added) with a numerical advantage.

To be fair on Mqabba they had some key players missing namely Martin Anastasi and Claudio Calleja. In fact they only had available a squad of 16, instead of the usual squad of 18.

Mqabba had the better of the game early on and forced several corners but which all went astray. Boirislav Giorev side still managed to take the lead on 10 minutes thanks to a short defensive clearance by the San Ġwann defence, and Jean Paul Muscat, said thank-you very much by firing the ball past Justin Spiteri from just outside the box.

A minute later it was Muscat again who found Shawn Magro well placed in the box but the Mqabba striker took too long to conclude and the danger was cleared. As time went by San Ġwann started to come out of their shell and on 18 minutes Alan Borg drove the ball just wide following a good one-two with Firaz Aboulezz.

Two minutes later Brian Spiteri’s side won a penalty when Mqabba defender Pierre Grima floored Clint Gatt in the box and a penalty was given. But Lee Cumbo’s left footed drive was well saved by Kris Calleja. San Ġwann continued playing well and after some neat passing a close-range effort by Clint Gatt on 25 minutes was well-kept out again by the Mqabba custodian.

The game died down a bit until the break but again came into light on resumption with Mqabba’s Glenn Barry half-volley drive finishing just wide on 47 minutes. Three minutes later a good move by Shawn Magro who did all by himself was thwarted with a fine save by Justin Spiteri.

A Firaz Aboulezz free-kick later hit the crossbar, and the San Ġwann players protested with the referee claiming the ball had crossed the line, as Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja in the meantime pushed the ball for a corner aided by a defender.

From the resulting corner on 56 minutes Miguel Francica’s firm header from Firaz Aboulezz corner made the score 1-1. On the hour Shawn Magro’s fine run ended with the Mqabba striker shooting into the side netting.

On 71 minutes San Ġwann suffered a severe setback when Mario Caruana was shown a straight red-card for a professional foul after flooring Glenn Barry who looked going on for goal. Two minutes later Mqabba should have scored again but Patrick Borg’s close-range header following a Joseph Fenech cross finished wide.

On 81 minutes Glenn Barry had two headers cleared off the line by Leeroy Bonnet. Deep into injury time Justin Spiteri saved well for a corner a Patrick Borg header following a Pierre Grima cross.

San Ġwann: J Spiteri; C Giordemaina, M Caruana, M Francica, L Cumbo, A Borg, C Cuschieri (R Sammut), F Aboulez (V Brincat), C Gatt (Q Bregman), S Pisani, L Bonett
 
Mqabba: K Calleja, M Bonnici, P Grima, P Borg, MA Psaila, S Magro, JP Muscat (C Farrugia), J Fenech, O Grech, G Barry, V Caushi (E Borg)

Referee: Paul Apap

Man of the Match: Leeroy Bonnett (San Ġwann)

St Patrick 0 Mosta 1

Mosta registered their second victory of the season in the BOV first division after beating St Patrick courtesy of a spectacular own goal at the beginning of the second half. Meanwhile the Saints, who played their worst match for ages, suffered their first defeat of the season.

This was a different match between these 2 when they met in the Maltco knock-out competition were the Saints had dominated the match practically from start to finish. St Patrick had won 3-1 on the day. But this time Mosta played their hearts out dominating possession and their never say-die attitude was surely the difference between the 2 sides.

Despite all such play and running, chances were far and few in the match and it was St Patrick who had the first shot at goal when Jurgen Farrugia fired the ball over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

Mosta responded 10 minutes later when Lyden Micallef drove the ball over the top following a good move by several players. Mosta continued to show the better ideas but the Saints rearguard very solid at the back.

Alfred Attard’s side who had won the first match 1-0 against Pieta were finding the going tough especially upfront and as time gone Mosta upped their rhythm further. This mainly happened on the flanks and it was no surprise that on 46 minutes Mosta forged ahead when following a Mark Briggs cross St Patrick defender Ryan Mifsud in a desperate effort to clear blasted the ball past his own goalkeeper Sean Mintoff. Surely a magnificent goal if Mifsud had blasted the ball at the other end.

On 67 minutes Julian Vella shot straight at goalkeeper Sean Mintoff from 2 metres when he was fed well by substitute Gilbert Martin from the bye-line. Mosta were never troubled by their opponents although St Patrick could have saved the day three minutes from time Matthew Fleri Soler headed well but Jonathan Debono saved well following a corner.

After this goal scoring opportunity Mosta crowded their midfield to keep their minimal lead intact. After this win Mosta will surely install more confidence in themselves to fight-it off for promotion together with favourites Marsaxlokk whose match on Monday against Pieta Hotspurs have been postponed due commitments of the Malta Under 23 side.

St Patrick: S Mintoff; M Pullicino (Y Tonna), D Gauci, S Zerafa, D Milovanovic, R Mifsud, L Sciberras, A Ellul (B Bugeja), J Farrugia, T Farrugia (M Fleri Soler), T Caruana

Mosta: J Debono; A Borg, K Farrugia, B Agius, L Stivala, M Briggs, J Vella, M Farrugia, L Micallef (L Grima) T Vella, C Pace (G Martin)

Referee: Paul Caruana

Man of the Match: Mark Briggs (Mosta)

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