Marsa finally put their minds at rest

Pembroke A. Marsa

Marsa grabbed the vital three points needed to avoid a relegation play-off when they beat Pembroke yesterday evening. It was a deserved win for Marsa who have now opened a sevenpoint lead over third from bottom Zabbar.

De Fex Marriaga was once again their best player, even scoring the winner from the penalty spot. Pembroke had their good moments especially in the opening stages but Marsa fully deserved their victory.

Pembroke enjoyed the

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lions share at the start with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza missing a sitter after a couple of minutes with only the goalkeeper to beat. On 26 minutes the same Mifsud Triganza tested the Marsa custodian direct from a freekick, with Micallef making a good save.

On 38 minutes Marsa took the lead when in a fast break De Fex Marriaga passed towards Paul Lapira who lobbed beautifully home.

Marsa continued to attack and three minutes later Luka Mijic hit the upright from an acute angle.

Just before the break from a Fex Marriaga freekick, Mark Camilleri headed just wide.

On 57 minutes Mifsud Triganza was tripped inside the area by Melvin Busuttil after a fine run, and from the penalty spot the same Mifsud Triganza sent Micallef the wrong way.

But on 63 minutes Marsa regained the lead when De Fex Marriaga was floored by Amarildo Giloga, with the referee awarding the penalty and sending off Giloga.

From the penalty spot De Fex Marriaga made no mistake.

Marsa continued to attack and on 70 minutes they went close to a third goal when Mijic crossed towards Paulo Lapira whose header was well saved by Towns.

Standings

M. Towns, M.A. Borg (C. Camilleri 77 min), A. Hili, M. Mifsud (D. Priso 73 min), T. Fenech, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, I. Misan, N. Grech, A. Giloga, Y. Tonna (Z. Grech 85 min), O. Bugeja.

S. Micallef, A. Caruana, V. Stanic (E. Grech 77 min), M. Busuttil, N. Micallef, J. Farrugia, M. Gauci (D. Pirotta 16 min)(M. Platisa 85 min), M. Camilleri, R. De Fex Marriaga, P. Lapira, L. Mijic. Daniel Portelli Qormi Pieta H Żejtun C Mqabba Żebbuġ R San Ġwann Vittoriosa S Sirens Pembroke Marsa Qrendi Żabbar SP Melita Rabat A P W D L F APts 24 16 5 3 45 22 53 24 16 1 7 52 26 49 24 13 6 5 45 27 45 24 12 7 5 45 26 43 24 11 8 5 38 26 41 24 11 6 7 44 36 39 24 9 8 7 41 33 35 24 8 4 12 38 42 28 25 10 8 7 43 32 28 25 7 6 12 36 47 27 24 6 8 10 28 38 26 24 5 5 14 28 52 20 24 4 6 14 23 46 18 24 1 2 21 19 70 5