Play-Out underway, valuable victories for Zejtun, Pembroke and Gharghur

IZIBET NATIONAL AMATEUR LEAGUE I
MATCH DAY 16

PLAY OUT
Mellieha 1-2 Qormi
The ten teams in the Play-Out were in action last weekend as the Top 6 competition will start on Friday. Four teams will be eventually relegated to the Amateur League II, with Qormi obtaining an important odd goal in three victory over Mellieha at the Sirens Stadium on Sunday, with the Blues now in desperate need for the points to avoid the drop.

Qormi created the first opportunity of the match after 13 minutes when Jake Bone managed to elude the Mellieha defence but his shot was saved by James Magro. A few minutes later, veteran Brazilian striker Cadu tried his luck with a spectacular overhead kick that ended up well wide.

The team of coach Jesmond Zerafa took the lead on 37 minutes when captain Steve Schembri rose high to head home from a corner. A second goal could have come for the Canaries but Eman Camilleri’s low shot ended up just wide on 51 minutes.

But it was Mellieha who equalized on 70 minutes courtesy of Marc Bolan Adonis with a well taken effort that gave Caruana no chance. Minutes later, Adonis could have put the Northerners ahead, but his effort from an ideal position was somehow deflected by the Qormi defence. On 77 minutes, Qormi coach Zerafa was sent to the stands after displaying some harsh protests towards the referees.

However, it was Qormi who scored the winner ten minutes from time when a low cross by Warren Azzopardi found Cadu who made no mistake with a strong low shot. While Qormi are leading the Play-Out with 25 points, Mellieha need to start collecting points, better sooner than later, as the Blues are just two points ahead of the red zone.


Qrendi 1-2 Zejtun Corinthians
Zejtun’s incredible come-back continued last Sunday, beating Qrendi 2-1 in the morning kick off at the Sirens Stadium. The Corinthians, who obtained five victories and two draws from their last seven league games, have therefore made a giant step into 3^rd tier participation next season, which was their ultimate goal before the start of this campaign.

Zejtun took an early 11^th minute lead with substitute Stefi Cale, who had just replaced the injured Clyde Bouvet, concluding with an excellent shot that easily beat Christian Cassar. The Corinthians were on song as Qrendi appeared rather subdued with Cale proving quite dangerous during the first period.

It took some time for Qrendi to find their rhythm but the team of coach Gotthard Conti had a glorious opportunity to equalize on 37 minutes when Ayesller Carvalho saw his shot from just in front of the goal line miraculously deflected for a corner. Zejtun had a fine chance to double their lead on 40 minutes but Cale blasted well over the bar from just outside the goal area.

Four minutes after the re-start, Zejtun had another great chance when the ball fell to Adrian Carabott but the veteran striker saw his shot well saved by Cassar. The Corinthians paid dearly for that as it was Qrendi who equalized on 66 minutes when Ayesller managed to stab home from close range.

Three minutes later however, Zejtun scored the decisive goal when Cale guided a superb effort from just outside the box in the corner of the net. The match continued combative with chances at both ends but Zejtun eked out an important victory to further distance themselves from relegation troubles.


Kirkop United 2-2 Rabat Ajax
On Sunday in the early Mosta Ground kick off, Kirkop United and Rabat Ajax shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw. It was another disappointing result for Kirkop, who beat the Magpies 5-3 two weeks before, which was their only victory so far this calendar year. Rabat played the last 35 minutes with ten as newcomer Shawn Cutajar was shown a straight red for denying an obvious Kirkop goalscoring opportunity.

Kirkop held the initiative for most of the first half, going close to taking the lead on 11 minutes when Matthew Borg’s corner from the left was turned into a corner by goalkeeper Giancarlo Borg and from the resulting corner, Misael Tabone’s header ended just over the bar. In a swift counter break, it was Rabat who took the lead when Jean Scholey advanced upfield and beat Kirkop custodian Krassimir Zammit with a low shot from the edge of the area.

Kirkop’s reaction was immediate and a goal bound effort by Misael Tabone was cleared into safety by Cutajar on 14 minutes. Seven minutes later, Zachary Tanti came to the rescue for Rabat, clearing a Jamie Cassar effort. However, Kirkop were not to be denied as captain Matthew Borg beat the Rabat custodian with a direct freekick from the left with two minutes left to play in the first half. But two minutes in added time, Rabat regained the lead when off a corner from the right, Kurt Muscat hit past Zammit to send the Magpies with a 2-1 advantage into the dressing rooms.

Ten minutes in the second half, Rabat were reduced to ten when Cutajar was sent off for bringing Juan Artiaga Roa down as the latter pounced on a back pass by Nigel Borg. Rabat could have made it 3-1 on 72 minutes with Francis Onwuzo heading just over the bar off a Tanti freekick from the right. However, three minutes later, Kirkop levelled matters when off a long clearance by goalkeeper Zammit, Frencj substitute Dicko Drissa placed the ball at the back of the net despite harsh protests by the Rabat players for a foul on the goalkeeper.

While Rabat remain in the relegation zone with seven points, Kirkop have collected 17 points so far and are therefore still very much involved in battle against the drop as well. During the week, Kirkop United announced that coach Matthew Caruana is no longer in charge of the first team, with David Saliba taking over as interim-coach for the remaining eight match days.


Msida St Joseph 0-4 Pembroke Athleta
In the late Sirens Stadium kick-off last Sunday, Pembroke recorded their biggest win of the season by beating bottom side Msida St Joseph 4-0 with all goals being scored in the first period. The victory for Pembroke was completely justified, while Saints played a dismal first half, completely the opposite of their last outings against Vittoriosa Stars when they gained a precious point (1-1).

The match saw the return of striker Weverton Gomes, who had been sidelined by injury for nearly two months. The Brazilian already made a few minutes last week against Rabat and was called back in the starting line-up for the first time since half December last year.

Pembroke started strongly and created their first chance after 15 minutes when Ryan Sciberras made some space for himself in the box only for his effort to end up wide. The team of coach Jeffrey Mifsud went ahead on 24 minutes through a fine individual move by Maverick Cassar who rounded his defender and drilled an excellent low shot past Nathan Mangion. Ryan Sciberras had a header that ended up just wide on 33 minutes as Pembroke continued dominating.

On 37 minutes, Pembroke doubled the score when a series of shots were brilliantly saved by Mangion with the ball finally rebounding off the cross bar to Weverton who smashed home from close range. Weverton notched up his brace and Pembroke’s third just a minute later with a fine individual effort. The game was put to bed on 42 minutes with Ryan Sciberras cooly lobbing over a hapless Mangion for Pembroke’s fourth.

As expected, the second half was a quiet affair with Pembroke, despite reversing a gear, still comfortably repelled Msida’s efforts to find a consolation goal.


Gharghur 3-2 Marsaskala
The late Mosta Ground kick off last Sunday was an interesting clash between Gharghur and Marsaskala, with the former conquering the seasiders by the odd goal in five. It was a much-needed win for strugglers Gharghur, which clearly puts them back on track for possible salvation as with 13 points gained, the team of coach Christian Cassar have at least connected themselves within reach of Marsaskala and Pembroke. Venezuelan livewire Nestor Canas of Gharghur scored a hat-trick against his ex-team, two from the penalty spot.

The match started with Marsaskala on the front foot, creating early chances. However, Gharghur’s first attack nearly resulted into a goal, as Jayden Aquilina fired a powerful shot, forcing out a brilliant save from Marsaskala goalkeeper Clyde Aquilina. Not much later, Joshua Ojelabi came close to break the deadlock but the lanky Irishman missed from an ideal angle.

In the 22nd minute, Gharghur’s Isaac Chircop was fouled by Marsaskala’s Jacques Vella Critien in the box with a penalty being awarded to Gharghur. Nestor Canas stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to give his side a 1-0 lead. Om the half hour mark, Canas doubled for Gharghur after receiving a perfect cross from Daniel Sciberras. Marsaskala kept pushing and nearly pulled one back in the 36th minute when James Oghenekewaro struck the post.

In the second half, Marsaskala continued to search for a goal. In the 51st minute, Oghenekewaro delivered a precise cross to Joseph Chetcuti, with Gharghur goalkeeper James Abela making a crucial save. In the 74th minute, Canas was fouled in the box by Marsaskala’s Mikele Vella, earning another penalty. The Venezuelan livewire stepped up himself and made no mistake, completing his hat-trick and extending Gharghur’s lead to 3-0. Marsaskala finally pulled one back on 82 minutes through Mikele Vella and three minutes later, Ojelabi scored a stunning goal, bringing Marsaskala within reach at 3-2. But despite their late push, Gharghur held on to secure the victory.

Images copyright Joe Borg