Match Day 7 of the extremely balanced Amateur League 1 delivered high drama, with second-placed Mqabba surviving a scare in the Western derby, while Xgħajra Tornados upset high-fliers Attard, and Qormi romped to a decisive victory over ten-man Lija Athletic.

Mqabba 3 – 2 Luqa St Andrew’s

In the Western derby, Mqabba secured vital points in their promotion push against a determined Luqa side. Mqabba took the lead in the 16th minute when Luka Mijic converted a penalty awarded for a handball inside the box. Mqabba doubled their lead four minutes before halftime through Cedric Tahouto Gaoue, who finished with a strong shot after a fine through pass.

Luqa staged a remarkable second-half comeback. Bydasser Sammut halved the deficit in the 58th minute during a goalmouth scramble. The recovery was complete in the 75th minute when Gyamfi Collins converted Luqa’s penalty after he was fouled in the box. However, Mqabba immediately responded, with Luka Mijic grabbing his second goal of the evening with a fine low effort in the 81st minute, sealing the 3-2 victory.

Attard 2 – 3 Xgħajra Tornados

High-flying Attard suffered a stunning defeat at the Sirens Stadium against struggling Xgħajra Tornados, who climbed off the bottom of the table with the victory. Xgħajra took a surprising lead against the run of play when Dylan Mifsud profited from a counter-attack to beat Zach Valletta with a great lob. Attard equalized through Precious Uchechukwu (30′) after a goalmouth melee, but Xgħajra retook the lead five minutes later via Chikh Ali Shaban.

The game turned decisively in the 75th minute when Attard’s Luca Martinelli was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity (DOGSO). From the resulting free kick, Raylon Kaylon Paisely curled the ball into the net to make it 3-1. Attard reduced the deficit a minute from time with a penalty scored by Nicholas Schembri, but Xgħajra held on for the important 3-2 win.

Qormi 5 – 0 Lija Athletic

Qormi capitalised on Attard’s slip-up with a comfortable 5-0 routing of Lija Athletic to strengthen their push for the top spots. The Canaries took the lead in the 16th minute when Dion Fava slotted home a rebound. Lija’s situation worsened just before the break when Mead Mifsud was sent off for an off-the-ball offence. Qormi immediately capitalized, with Emmanuel Garba heading in a second goal in stoppage time.

Qormi sealed the points early in the second half through a string finish by Innocent John Awori. Awori grabbed his second goal in the 64th minute as Lija completely collapsed. Lija ended the match with nine men after Yanis Tonna was also shown red, and Emmanuel Garba added a fifth goal right before the final whistle.

Kirkop United 0 – 1 San Ġwann

San Ġwann secured an important mid-table victory over Kirkop United thanks to a single second-half goal. After a lively first half where both keepers were tested, San Ġwann found the breakthrough in the 51st minute when Matteo Vella gained possession outside the box, turned deftly, and hammered home a fine low shot. Kirkop’s task became harder when Leon Theuma was sent off for a second yellow card in the 69th minute. Despite hitting the bar late on, Kirkop could not find the equalizer, allowing San Ġwann to register the important 1-0 win.

⚽ Match Statistics

Mqabba 3 – 2 Luqa St Andrew’s

• Goal Scorers:
  • Mqabba: Luka Mijic (16’ pen, 81’), Cedric Tahouto Gaoue (41’)
  • Luqa: Bydasser Sammut (58’), Gyamfi Collins (75’ pen)

Attard 2 – 3 Xgħajra Tornados

• Goal Scorers:
  • Attard: Precious Uchechukwu (30’), Nicholas Schembri (89’ pen)
  • Xgħajra: Dylan Mifsud (20′), Chikh Ali Shaban (35′), Raylon Kaylon Paisely (75’ free-kick)
• Red Cards: Luca Martinelli (Attard, 75’ DOGSO)

Qormi 5 – 0 Lija Athletic

• Goal Scorers:
  • Qormi: Dion Fava (16’), Emmanuel Garba (45+’, 90’), Innocent John Awori (46’, 64’)
• Red Cards: Mead Mifsud (Lija, 42’), Yanis Tonna (Lija, 86’)

Kirkop United 0 – 1 San Ġwann

• Goal Scorer:
  • San Ġwann: Matteo Vella (51’)
• Red Card: Leon Theuma (Kirkop, 69’, second yellow)