Mqabba make it two in a row

Ten man Mqabba obtained their second consecutive victory beating Zebbug Rangers in exciting match. Mqabba goalkeeper played a blinder but deserved their victory having played for the whole second half with a man less.

The first real threat came Rangers way on eight minutes when a curling Matthew Robert Gauci free-kick finished just over the crossbar.

Two minutes later a Roderick Bajada corner was met by Ratko Mandic whose first time effort from inside the box took a deflection off a defender for a corner.

Mqabba responded on 20 minutes when Claudio Calleja hit a missile from 35 metres with the ball finishing inches wide. On 37 minutes a Claudio Calleja freekick was missed by Paul Chimezie in front of goal. Five minutes before the break Mqabba suffered a severe setback when Quincy Bregman was sent-off for a second bookable offence. Mqabba however did not seem to worry too much as they continued to play some good attacking football.

Mqabba again threatened with some fine crosses and on 62 minutes Chimezie and Mello da Silva had a couple cleared in extemis by the Rangers rearguard.

Keith Vella headed just over the crossbar following a Gauci corner on 67 minutes. On 70 minutes Rangers were unlucky when Tomislav Trebovac had his effort hitting the upright after Debono had made a great save seconds earlier.

Ten minutes from time Mqabba scored a winner, Paul Chimezie controlled well on the edge of the area dribbled past two defenders and as he looked to have lost his balance enetered the area to shoot past Azzopardi from close range.

Three minutes later Żebbuġ looked to have drew level when Charles Ikenna Kean was freed by Matthew Robert Gauci but was foiled by Jonathan Debono who made a miracoulos save. Mqabba should have put the game to bed twice in a minute first when Leontiv Konda hit wide in front of goal and then Claudio Calleja failed to beat Azzopardi when he shot straight at him when unmarked.

Mqabba: J. Debono, M. Bonnici, A. Mello da Silva, C. Calleja, K. Cutajar, L. Vella Critien, M. Borg (J.R. Vella), P. Chimezie (L.Konda) Q. Bregman, G. Adamovic, L. Micallef

Zebbug: J. Azzopardi, T. Trebovac, R. Bajada, C. Ikenna Kean, M. Gauci, D. Tabone, S. Borg, I. Meli (O. Rababah), K. Zammit (D. Borg), R. Mandic, K. Vella, J. Azzopardi

Referee: Sandro Spiteri