The fight for survival in the National Amateur League 1 Bottom 8 continued this weekend, with Marsaskala and Għargħur keeping their hopes alive following positive results.
At the Sirens Stadium, Marsaskala pulled off a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Rabat Ajax. Rabat drew first blood through Jake Cordina in the 7th minute, but the match turned in the second half thanks to a stunning hat-trick by Joshua Ojelabi, who struck in the 48th, 80th, and 82nd minutes. Calvin Bonett pulled one back for Rabat in added time, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Marsaskala from bagging a crucial three points.
In another gripping encounter at the same venue, Għargħur earned a hard-fought 3-3 draw against Żejtun Corinthians. Mark Cutajar opened the scoring for Għargħur in the 10th minute, but Stefai Cale responded with a penalty on 14 minutes and followed it up with another goal in the 29th. Jayden Aquilina levelled before the break, yet Cale completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute. However, just when Żejtun seemed poised for victory, Cutajar converted a last-gasp penalty deep into added time to rescue a point for Għargħur.
Over at the Centenary Stadium, Qrendi emerged 4-2 winners over Msida St. Joseph in an entertaining contest. Qrendi took a quick two-goal lead through Sterling Moran (26’) and Ayessler Carvalho (27’), only for Msida to fight back with goals from Leon Pulis (39’) and Mousstafa Robert Malool (48’). However, an own goal on 67 minutes and a strike from Brandon Bray shortly after ensured Qrendi took home all three points.
The other match at the Centenary Stadium ended in a 1-1 stalemate between Qormi and Kirkop United. Matthew Borg gave Kirkop the lead in the 41st minute, but Cadu responded for Qormi in the 82nd to salvage a point.
IZIBET Amateur League 1 Bottom 8 Standings:
- Qormi – 42 pts
- Qrendi – 36 pts
- Mellieħa – 33 pts
- Żejtun Corinthians – 33 pts
- Kirkop United – 31 pts
- Għargħur – 23 pts
- Marsaskala – 22 pts
- Pembroke Athleta – 22 pts
- Rabat Ajax – 8 pts
- Msida St. Joseph – 5 pts
With just a few games remaining, the tension at the bottom is rising, and every point could be the difference between survival and relegation.
