Mqabba FC 1-5 San Gwann FC [HT 1-3]
Sporting a full red kit and a couple of new faces, Mqabba faced San Gwann in the first round of the FMA Knockout Competition. Coach Azzopardi and assistant coach Andolfi started the match with Xuereb in goal along with Dimech, Psaila, Bugeja and Spiteri in a 2-2 formation.
Despite a clear handball which was ruled out by the referees the first goal of the match came through a swift San Gwann counterattack in the fifth minute.
The Mqabba rearguard was again caught by surprise a couple of seconds later making the score 0-2. However, the margin was instantly halved when after some quick return passes between Dimech and Spiteri, the former netted in from close range. It was a signal of intent from Mqabba that matched the opponents for a good part of the rest of the half, going close to scoring again through Dimech and Eminyan.
The final goal for the first half came after 22 minutes when a San Gwann shot in the roof of the net gave Xuereb no chance.
San Gwann started the second half on a high tempo adding a fourth goal in the first minute. Mqabba pushed on and exploited San Gwann's lack of accuracy and perhaps some complacency from their part. Psaila and Falzon both had good chances to pull a goal back for their team. Against the run of play, it was San Gwann that scored the last goal of the match and their fifth of the match two minutes from time following an individual effort.
Mqabba FC Player of the Match: Conrad Dimech