National Amateur League 1 review: surprises and shocks

The National Amateur League 1 was full of surprises as the top teams, Luqa St Andrew’s and Attard were dealt surprise defeats at the hands of San Gwann and Qrendi respectively.

Qrendi 4 Attard 0

Both teams were looking for maximum points with Attard hoping to keep up pace with leaders Birzebbuga St Peter’s Montekristo. Qrendi were also hoping to climb up the mid table position to ensure they had a shot for the Promotion Pool.

Qrendi had a first chance after 12 minutes when Fernandes Andrade’s shot from an angled position hit the side netting. And it was Qrendi who took the lead on the half hour mark when Brandon Bray craved out an opening before shooting a brilliant low shot past Zach Valletta.

Attard pressed forward after that and should have equalised after 41 minutes when a succession of shots by Nicholas Schembri and Bledi Alla were somehow blocked by the Qrendi defence. Schembri came close with another header in first half stoppage time that was tipped over by Miguel Abela.

The second half was a combative affair but the extremely strong winds made play rather difficult. After a period of pressure by Attard, it was Qrendi who managed to double their lead 8 minutes of time courtesy of a classic counter with Fernando Andrade concluding with ease.

On 85 minutes it was 3-0 with another classic counter and Brandon Bray smashing in after the first effort by Andrade was saved by Caruana. And just two minutes later, Andrade notched his brace and Qrendi’s fourth as the match ended in a rout for the South Westerners.

Birzebbuga St Peter’s Monte Kristo 1 Qormi 0

After Attard’s surprise heavy defeat against Qrendi, Birzebbuga St Peter’s Montekristo were looking for nothing less than the three points against Qormi to secure top spot before the end of the year. Qormi were coming from a disappointing loss against Kirkop United that set them back somewhat.

Qormi had a good chance to take the lead on 11 minutes when Jake Bone’s point-blank effort was cleared by Carl Ciantar. However, the strong wind was making it difficult to play with chances at a premium for both teams.

Qormi had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty after 50 minutes  when Jamie Lee Micallef fell in the box but the referee waved play on. Birzebbuga missed an incredible opportunity to take the lead on59 minutes when Morgon Filho received an inch perfect pass from Lee Joe Schmebri but inexplicably blasted the ball over the bar.

Matters turned far worse for Birzebbuga when they ended up with ten men on 77 minutes after Samuel Saldhana received his second yellow card for a simulation. Jamie Lee Micallef had another good chance on 80 minutes but his low shot was saved by Julian Azzopardi.

But it was Birzebbugia who found the winner two minutes from time when Jamie Magri Overend slammed home from close range much to the jubilation of the Southseasider’s staff and support.

Zejtun Corinthians 0 Pembroke Athleta 1

This encounter was an important clash for both Zejtun Corinthians and Pembroke at the bottom end of the table who were both looking for some points to extend some daylight between them and the teams in danger of the drop.

The opening half hour was a pretty dreadful affair with very little goalmouth action apart from a few corners. Right at the end of the half, Pembroke were presented with a glorious opportunity to take a shock lead but Immy Micallef blasted over from inside the penalty area.

Zejtun had a free kick at the start of the second half but Stefi Cale’s effort was easily blocked by Dean Sciberras. But the Corinthians received a massive setback on 56 minutes when Clyde Bouvet was sent off for a second yellow card after a simulation in the penalty area.

Pembroke started pushing forward and had another good opportunity when Kyle Sciberras Balbi let fly from outside the area with a fine shot that was well saved by Anson Saliba. Minutes later it was Cale who had an angled shot just wide as the match opened up.

Zejtun came close on 86 minutes when substitute Sheldon Vella’s header ended up just wide. In the end it was all drama as Maverick Cassar was sent off for Pembroke on 90 minutes but a minute later substitute Jamie Camilleri grabbed the winner much to the delight of the Athleta faithful.

Mellieha 0 Xghajra Tornados 1

Xghajra Tornados were looking for a win to continue challenging for a promotion pool position as results went in their favour this final round of the year. Mellieha were sitting pretty in the middle of the table and were also looking for points out of this encounter to safeguard their National Amateur League 1 status.

Xghajra Tornados took an early lead after 14 minutes when a cheeky lob by Richmond Hanson found Cedric Zahra who easily slotted the ball home and beating a hapless Anthony Curmi. Hanson was on fir and two minutes later he entered the box but his low shot was somehow blocked by Curmi.

The rest of the half passed without much incident but at the start of the second half, Mellieha had two free kicks which were cleared by the Xghajra defence as the Northerners started upping the pressure.

However, Mellieha were dealt a blow on 75 minutes when Xghajra were awarded a penalty with Sebastian Perdomo receiving his marching orders for a second yellow card. Curmi managed to save the penalty which was weakly taken by Raylon Paisley. In the end, Xghajra saw off the final minutes to register an important win which took them to third in the table.

Other results:

Marsaskala 2 Vittoriosa Stars Orsini 3

Rabat Ajax 1 Gharghur 0

San Gwann 4 Luqa St Andrew’s 1

Msida St Joseph 1 Kirkop United 3

National Amateur League 1
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