Early goals pave the way to Munxar’s win

Munxar F : 3 (M.Matthias Uzor 2’, 15’; K. Mizzi 90+1’)

L. Gatt, K. Borg, C. Gafa, P. Parnis (N. Attard), C. Bugeja, M. Debrincat, S. Muscat, O. Curmi, P. Said (K. Mizzi), J. Parnis (F. Azzopardi), M.M. Uzor.

Qala S : 1 (C. Caruana 48’)

L. Xuereb, J. Attard, J. Buttigieg, M. Pace, G. Sillato, S. Sillato, J. Cutajar, M. Mumford, C. Caruana, J. Mifsud, B. Sammut (J. Cutajar).

Munxar Falcons scored two goals during the early stages of the semi-final match against Qala Saints and administered play for the rest of the encounter so that they earned qualification to contest the final of the Knock Out competition for the category.  With this result Munxar will ahev the possibility to defend the honour that they won during the last season.  Moreover, the Falcons confirmed in this match their excellent moment of form as they are currently front runners in the second division campaign and they are undoubtedly aiming to end the season by winning the double.  The match was practically conditioned by Munxar’s performance during the first minutes of play when they opened a two-goal lead.  Qala tried to produce a reaction but they only managed to re-open the issue with a goal scored during the second period.  Munxar were in the driving seat, held command of play and made sure of the qualification with a third goal scored during the dying moments of the match.

The Falcons surprised their opponents during the first minutes where they produced effective offensive play which led them to take a comfortable two-goal lead.  In the second minute of play Munxar opened the score through a tap-in by Michael Matthias Uzor following a cross by Jordi Parnis.  Qala continued to suffer Munxar’s play and on 15 minutes Munxar doubled the score when Jordi Parnis operated a fine move on the left flank and from his cross Qala’s defence failed to clear the ball from the area so that Michael Matthias Uzor took the loose ball and fired in goal with a shot on the run.  Munxar continued to dictate matters during the first half and on 33 minutes they could have added another goal but a strike by Jordi Parnis following a personal action hit the post.  One minute later the Falcons were again dangerous through a lob by Michael Matthias Uzor when the goalkeeper was out of his position that ended away from Qala’s goal.

After the resumption the Maroons came out with the intention to re-open the issue and managed to reduced the deficit in the third minute of play when Michael Mumford unmarked Christoph Caruana, the latter entered the area form the right flank and placed in goal with a low drive towards the far post that ended out of the reach of the goalkeeper.  The match became more contested as the two sides increased their efforts in an attempt to clinch the qualification.  On 50 minutes Munxar were dangerous through a strike from outside the area by Paul Said that ended wide. As time passed by play took place mainly in the midfield where the two defensive departments prevailed over the respective strikers.  However, during the final minutes the match became more intense as Qala tried to score the equaliser while Munxar insisted to make sure of the qualification by scoring another goal.  On 85 minutes Michael Matthias Uzor released Jordi Parnis, the latter turned around the goalkeeper at the edge of the area but Qala’s defender Samuel had an excellent recovery and cleared the ball before Parnis could deposit the ball into an open goal.  Two minutes Qala had their best opportunity to level the score but a strike by Michael Mumford form outside the area ended wide.  Munxar scored their third goal in the first minute of stoppage time through a tap-in by substitute Kenneth Mizzi following a fine move by Jordi Parnis on the left flank.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut