Birzebbuga St Peters continued with their inexorable rise to the Challenge League as they opened up a five point lead at the the top of the Amateur League 1 league table
Zejtun Corinthians 0 Msida St Joseph 0
In the battle of the minnows at the bottom end of the table, Zejtun were hoping to continue over their first win in the last round of matches over Kirkop United. On their part, Msida still without a win this season were looking to gain something out of the encounter.
After a rather boorish half hour, Zejtun produced the first real chance of the evening when Adrian Carabott produced a stunning shot that appeared destined for the top corner only for Nathan Steve Mangion to superbly parry away for a corner. Zejtun had another opportunity on 43 minutes when Rusland Borg escaped down the right, but his angled effort was again well saved by Mangion.
Msida should have taken the lead themselves in first half stoppage time when Robert Mousstafa Maloul latched onto a loose ball and rounded the keeper, but his effort ended up wide. Carabott had another good chance just before the half time whistle when a low shot was saved by Mangion for yet another corner.
Zejtun had another fine chance five minutes into the second half but Jesmael Catania shot well over the bar from a good position. Another incredible chance went begging for Zejtun on 69 minutes when Fabien Lufi was presented with a simple tap in but somehow fluffed his opportunity.
Msida had a magnificent chance to clinch the three points three minutes from time when a superb effort by Malool saw Saliba save acrobatically with the ball coming off the crossbar.
Kirkop United 0 Pembroke Athleta 0
In another lower table clash, Kirkop United were hoping to put their defeat against Zejtun behind them but Pembroke, coming from a positive result themselves (a 4-2 win against Msida) were not taking things lying down.
After a rather staid opening half hour, Pembroke created their first chance on 32 minutes. Jayden Fenech created some space for himself but saw his effort blocked by Krassimir Zammit. Kirkop replied on 36 minutes when Joachim David King sped off down the right and crossed hard and low with Dale Tabone failing to connect.
Pembroke had another good chance on 41 minutes when Ryan Sciberras let fly from outside the box with Zammit only parrying the shot. However, no one from Pembroke could conclude successfully with the ball eventually cleared.
Kirkop had a good chance on 52 minutes when Dale Tabone saw his shot well saved by Sciberras. Pembroke missed an incredible opportunity on 59 minutes when Jordan Vella received a cross but his effort from a couple of metres was brilliantly blocked by Zammit.
Qormi 1 Attard 0
Attard were looking to return to winning ways after their recent slip ups which saw them descend the table. On their part, Qormi had a disappointing run which was remedied recently with a fine win over Qrendi and were also looking to rejuvenate their campaign.
It was Qormi who took the lead after 18 minutes when David Azzopardi horribly miscued a shot in his own area with the ball ending up in the net. Attard reacted strongly although the half was punctuated by injuries with no less than three substitutions. On 42 minutes, Leonard Blanchard had a fine effort that was well blocked by Carmelo Caruana.
Attard continued knocking on the door in the second half and came close on 63 minutes with a low shot by Bledi Alla that went just wide. The rest of the half saw Qormi lying back without any foray up front and Attard ended up empty handed for the third consecutive match with their promotion credentials now seriously in doubt.
Qrendi 0 Birzebbuga St Peter’s Montekristo 2
Birzebbuga were hoping to extend their lead at the top of the National Amateur League 1 table although they faced a tricky test against Qrendi. The Greens were coming from a disappointing loss against Qormi so they were keen to bounce back.
As expected, Birzebbuga dominated proceedings from the start but it was only in the 36th minute when the Southseasiders took the lead. Samuel Saldanha had his first effort blocked but then managed a beautifully cool lob that sailed over Miguel Abela. Saldanha had another chance five minutes later when he fluffed a great opportunity from a couple of metres.
Qrendi started the second half brightly and had a good opportunity to draw on level terms on 55 minutes, but Gianfranco Micallef’s effort was way over the bar after having received from Carvalho Ayesller. Birzebbuga controlled the game with ease and hung on to the solitary goal until stoppage time when they added another courtesy of Lee Joe Schembri for a 2-0 final scoreline.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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