Zabbar earn precious point against Mqabba

Mqabba Zabbar SP 0 0

Zabbar earned a precious point against promotion aspirants Mqabba in a balanced and keenly contested match. Zabbar held the edge in the first half but Mqabba came back strongly on the resumption, but failed to obtain a winner.

The result dents Mqabba’s hopes of making it to the Premier, but on the other hand the result could prove to be fundamental for Zabbar in their relegation struggle.

Mqabba had the game in their hands in the opening minutes but were rarely effective in front of goal. Zabbar took some time to settle down, but had the first attempt at goal on 18 minutes when Diacono crossed towards Dylan Micallef whose header from an ideal position was well saved by Debono.

The same goalkeeper was outstanding five minutes later when he again denied Dylan Micallef who almost deceived the goalkeeper direct from the corner flag. Zabbar were now all over the place and Debono came again to his side’s rescue saving a close range header from Camilleri following a Pace Briffa freekick.

On 31 minuta Mqabba had their first real danger, and it was a glorious chance missed by Shawn Darmanin who miskicked with an open goal at his mercy, following a godd Chimezie run. On 33 minutes Debono was again outstanding diving to save a Karl Sacco header. Two minutes from the break Zabbar goalie Grech made a great save off a Paul Chimezie drive.

On the resumption Mqabba were unlucky when a Paul Chimezie shot hit the upright on 61 minutes. Eight minutes later Chimezie was put through in front of goal but his effort was blocked by Grech with Trebovac hitting wide the rebound.

Mqabba pushed everything forward in the remaining minutes but failed to obtain a winner.

Mqabba: J. Debono, G. Gesualdi, N. Ojuala, M. Borg (R. Tanti 68 min), K. Cutajar, S. Darmanin, P. Chimezie, M. Ciantar (L. Micallef 68 min), M. Del Negro, B. Muscat, A. Saindou Ahamd (T. Trebovac 59 min).

Żabbar SP: J. Grech, K. Borg, K. Cutajar, S. Diacono, C. Camilleri, D. Micallef (C. Magro 68 min), G. Adamo (D. Pace 80 min), K. Sacco, S. Cesare, S. Pace Briffa, N. Silva (C. Stewart 51 min)

Referee: Emannuel Grech Qormi Żejtun C Pieta H Mqabba Żebbuġ R San Ġwann Vittoriosa S Qrendi Sirens Pembroke Żabbar SP Marsa Melita Rabat A PW D L F A Pts 23 15 5 3 43 21 50 23 13 5 5 44 26 44 22 14 1 7 48 26 43 23 12 6 5 44 25 42 23 11 8 4 36 23 41 23 11 6 6 44 34 39 22 9 7 6 38 29 34 23 6 8 9 27 36 26 22 7 4 11 34 40 25 23 9 8 6 40 30 25 23 5 5 13 28 50 20 22 4 6 12 27 42 18 22 3 5 14 19 43 14 22 1 2 19 17 62 5