Marsa and Sirens settle for a draw

Football - BOV First Division

Sirens Marsa 2 2

Marsa and Sirens figured in an entertaining 2-2 draw, after a rather dull first half.

It all started in the stoppage time of the first half with two quick goals as the score stood at 1-1.

On the resumption Marsa quickly took a second lead and took the upperhand and dominated for long stretches but failed to score a third goal, with Sirens making a late rally to grab a point from theis match. Sirens almost forged ahead on ten minutes when Ryan Mifsud almost committed an own goal but Caruana saved. The same Caruana was again called in action to block a Daniel Bonnici scorcher.

On the half hour Marsa missed a golden opportunity when Sirens goalkeeper Romano blocked De Melo Lima and from the rebound Gilbert Martin failed to score with an open goal at his mercy. On 35 minutes Sirens had a fast break with Ryan Sciberras dribbling past goalkeeper Caruan but his destined for the back of the net was cleared off the goal line by Ryan Mifsud.

In stoppage time Marsa forged ahead when Gilbert Martin was floored by Daniel Bonnici and from the penalty spot Rodney Refalo made no mistake. But Marsa’s joy was shortlived as sixty seconds later Sirens drew level when Marsa goalkeeper saved Caruana’s close range effort and from the rebound Charles Newuche drilled the ball home.

Two minutes into the second half Marsa were back in front when Elland Vella scored with a shot from the edge of the area. Marsa were more aggressive now and Elland Vella went close again on the hour with his shot over the bar.

Marsa continued to dictate for long stretches but had nothing to show for their superiority.

Sirens gave their firs warning on 77 minutes when the completely unmarked Daniel Agius was denied by a great Caruana save.

On 83 minutes Sirens saved the match when an Azzopardi scorcher was partially saved by Caruana and from the rebound Daniel Agius shot low into the net.

It was’nt over yet as Marsa were unlucky on 89 minutes when substitute Mark Gauci hit the base of the upright from close range following a good move with Da Lima Melo. In stoppage time Marsa were reduced to ten men when Rodney Refalo received a second booking for simulation.

Sirens: G. Romano, D. Zampa, C. Caruana, L. Gabrieli (C. McLaren), D. Sant, I Curmi, J.N. Azzopardi, D. Agius, R. Sciberras (K. Etim), D. Bonnici, C. Newuche.

Marsa: R. Caruana, M. Busuttil, G. Sultana (C. Cutajar), B. Essiel, R. Mifsud, J. Farrugia, E. Vella, S. Meilak (K. Sakurai), L.A. De Melo Lima, R. Refalo, G. Martin (M. Gauci)

Referee: Eman Grech