Naxxar L. 2
Melita FC 2
A last gasp penalty which could have sealed promotion for the St Julian’s club was missed by Camacho so Melita have to wait for the result of today’s match involving Pieta Hotspurs to know whether they have sealed promotion to the Premier League.
Melita were two goals down with 20 minutes to go but pulled back to 2-2 and laid siege to the Naxxar goal in search of the winning strike.
In the second clash of the afternoon, Melita needed a victory against Naxxar Lions to claim promotion with the latter having nothing really to play for.
On 11 minutes, Melita came close when a shot by Micallef ended just wide. Naxxar also had a good chance to take the lead on 14 minutes when Darren Falzon was alone in the box but shot well wide. Melita again came close on 20 minutes when from a fine cross, Micallef had an overhead kick which went just over the bar.
Melita should have taken the lead on 27 minutes when Julian Galea’s shot ended inches wide of the post. But it was Naxxar who took the lead on 41 minutes when a pile driver by Farrugia from just outside the box left Sapiano with no chance.
On 50 minutes, a free kick by Camacho was well saved by Azzopardi as Melita pressed forward. However it was Naxxar who doubled on 55 minutes when a corner by Bellia found Agboe Bina who slotted home from close range.
Although Melita were making most of the running, it was Naxxar who could have closed off the game on 68 minutes when a cross by Micallef found Debono whose header was brilliantly saved by Sapiano. A minute later, Vukanac almost put into his own net but Sapiano saved and the action-packed encounter continued with a hopeful lob by Bellia which ended just wide.
Melita reduced the deficit on 72 minutes when a cross by Sierra Camacho found Baldacchino Orland whose effort was saved by Azzopardi with Galea tapping in from close range. And four minutes later, Melita equalised when Gribbon latched onto a loose ball in the box to shoot home to the delight of the Melita contingent.
On 91 minutes, Melita could have won it and sealed promotion when they were awarded a penalty after Baldacchino Orland was felled in the box, but Camacho missed from the spot kick blasting well over.
Naxxar Lions FC: J Azzopardi, A Farrugia, L Micallef, K Drago (A Da Silva), R Schembri, K Farrugia, V Bellia, J Debono, M Macari, D Falzon, O L Agboe Bina
Melita FC: M Sapiano, M R Sierra Camacho, G Gibbon, M Martin, M Borg, K Micallef (Terbougoff), J Galea, L Micallef, K Vella Petroni, S Galea (N Baldacchino), J Vukanic
Referee: S Spiteri
Second half blitz sends Vittoriosa on their way
Dingli S. 1
Vittoriosa S. 3
Vittoriosa continued their winning run under coach Oliver Spiteri when they dismissed tailenders Dingli Swallows by three goals to one with the Stars goals coming in the second half.
This loss put Dingli into serious danger as they are now level on points with St Patrick – a place from bottom with a game to go.
And Dingli took the lead after five minutes when Konda released Chris Azzopardi whose fine low shot grazed the post and beat Vella.
On 35 minutes, Vittoriosa should have equalised when Barbara fed Pereira but the latter’s shot ended just wide.
A minute before half time, Vittoriosa again came close when a pile driver by Muir was brilliantly saved by Farrugia.
On 50 minutes, Dingli had a fine chance when Warren Chircop was in the clear but his shot on the turn ended just wide. Vittoriosa again came close on 64 minutes when a cross by Dylan Pace found Gary Muir who headed just wide.
However that was the prelude to the equaliser which came on 66 minutes. A cross by Pace found Pereira who shot home from close range to draw level. On 71 minutes, Vittoriosa took the lead when a fine cross by Pace found Muir who tapped home from close range. Dingli were unlucky not to equalise on 79 minutes when Owuski hit the post with a fine header.
On 86 minutes a controversy erupted when Porcari was adjudged to have been in an offside position with the Dingli players clamouring and remonstrating to no avail. A couple of minutes later Dingli came close again when Porcari saw his shot well saved by Vella.
But Vittoriosa closed the game off on 89 minutes when Vella Critien broke away and clipped the ball past an onrushing Farrugia for a fine victory.
Dingli Swallows: J Farrugia, F Owugli, K Pace (P Ciantar), A Portelli, R Micallef, L Konda, W Chircop (J Sapiano), K Formosa, C Porcari, R Briffa, C Azzopardi (D Cilea)
Vittoriosa Stars: JM Vella, M Buttigieg, L Lagana, L Vella Critien, R dos Santos, M Barbara (D Pace), A Spiteri (C Piscopo), K Robinson, M Pereira, G Muir, L Grech (R Brincat)
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi