Sirens    1

Marsa   3

A Luka Mijic brace and a gem of a goal scored by rafael De Fex Marriaga geva Marsa a deserved victory yesterday against San Gwann. A victory that lifts the Redblues above Melita in the lower part of the table.

Sirens looked a demotivated lot and only came to life when marsa had built a three-goal cushion. Apart from Mijic, De Fex Marriaga was Marsa’s best player and was a delight to watch.

Marsa held the edge in the first half, in a match that was played mainly in midfield. Sirens started like a house on fire and even had a goal disallowed, but they immediately faded out, leaving their opponents the initiative.

Sirens had to do without striker Giovanni Galea as he limped off after 25 minutes and was substituted by Michael Micallef. Marsa’s best patch came in the last twenty minutes of the first half with Mijic and Lapira creating some problems for the Sirens rearguard, and with De Fex Marriaga in good form, distributing numerous passes.

Paul Lapira tested Marmara with a low drive and on 30 minutes Luka Mijic made his way on the left flank but from his inviting cross, Paul lapira failed to connect for a golden opportunity. However Marsa did break the deadlock five minutes later when De Fex Marriaga gave a long ball towards Luka Mijic who beat Kremenovic on the run and from just inside the area beat Marmara, who managed to partially block, but the ball still finished at the back of the net.

Two minutes into the second half Luka Mijic struck again when he received from De Fex Marriaga, dribbled past goalkeeper Marmara to put at the back of the net. On 56 minutes Marsa sealed the issue with a third goal when Mijic passed towards De Fex Marriaga who scored a beauty from the edge of the area.

Marsa now elected to defend and Sirens pressed forward and pulled on back fifteen minutes from time when Ryan Previ slotted home from close range. Sirens continued to attack but Marsa held on to to their lead for a precious victory.

Sirens:  R. Marmara, R. Previ, B. Kremenovic (E.J. Johnson 85 min), I. Chircop, D. Sant, D. Agius, C. Caruana (E. Fieramosca 59 min), J.N. Azzopardi, L. Galea, E. Goodman, G. Galea (M. Micallef 25 min).

Marsa:  W. Galea, E. Grech, N. Micallef, A. Caruana, V. Stanic, J. Farrugia (R. Mercieca 92 min), M. Camilleri, P. Lapira (D. Pirotta 89 min), M. Gauci, R. De Fex Marriaga (M. Platisa 71 min), L. Mijic.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri

 

Mello Da Silva keeps Zebbug hopes alive

Zebbug R 1

Melita 0

Arilson Mello Da Silva scored the all importnat goal on 36 minutes to keep Zebbug in the hunt for the promotion race.

For Melita another disappointing afternoon as they suffered yet another blow.

They were practically outclassed yesterday and were only kept in the game by a string of good saves from goalkeeper Grima.

They did have a late reaction like the one against Rabat last week, but Zebbug held on to their lead.

The ex Mqabba striker scored a very good goal after a fine solo run and a precise grounder that gave Grima no chance to save.

Żebbuġ R: J. Farrugia, S. Schembri, M. Bonnici, F. Gusman, R. Da Silva Gomes, C. Gauci, A. Curmi, K. Zammit, L. Mallia, A. Mello Da Silva, A. Obaje.

Melita: N. Grima, D. Cutajar, J. Abela, A. Mizzi, R. Parrado, E. Cornago, F. Lufi, J.P. Attard, L. Micallef, A. Borg Olivier, N. Bradshaw.

Referee: Shawn Calleja