Veteran Abela saves Qrendi with late header
Marsa 1 Qrendi 1
Veteran striker Kenneth Abela scored a late equaliser for newly promoted Qrendi, to give the newcomers their third consecutive draw so far this season.
For Marsa it was the first point earned this season, and could have easily been the first victory too had it not been for the sending off of defender Essel midway through the second half.
Marsa were the better team in the first hour of the match as they created the better chances and took a deserved lead on 29 minutes when Dylan Pirotta pounced on a Qrendi defence collective black out and beat Azzopardi from close range.
Ten minutes later another good opportunity for Marsa with Pirotta’s cross from the right towards Neil Micallef who shot wide when well placed.
Just before the break Marsa went close again with a Mark Gauci freekick and a Charles Newuche free header that was saved by Qrendi custodian Azzopardi.
Seven minutes into the second half Marsa had another good opportunity with a Jimenz header again saved by Azzopardi.
On 65 minutes Marsa defender Benjamin Essel received a second booking and was sent off.
Qrendi now started to have the edge over their opponents who elected to defend their slender bu precious lead.
Although not dominating the match Qrendi started to pile up the pressure as Marsa had nothing to offer in attack, especially when both Newuche and jimenez were substituted.
Qrendi saved the game and their unbeaten status seven minutes from time when veteran striker Kenneth Abela, who had just came on as a substitute, headed home Qrendi’s equaliser.
Marsa S. Micallef, E. Grech, B. Essel, R. Mercieca, N. Micallef, J. Farrugia, M. Gauci, D. Pirotta (J. Farrugia), E. Bonello, C. Newuche (M. Dimitrijevic), R. Alegria Jimenez (M. Mifsud).
Qrendi J. Azzopardi, M. Farrugia (T. D’Amato), B. Bondin, Z. Bowman, P. Mrvic, D. Santos Da Hora, D. Sammut, L. Scorfna, E. Amaira (K. Abela), S. Nakamura, J. Spiteri (D. Zarb).
Referee: Etienne Mangion