APS Bank Under 16 Section A

Sliema W 0

Pieta H 0

In this top-or table clash, Pieta’ consolidated top spot with 37 points from 14 games while the Blues are on 35 points from 15 games.

Sliema created the first occasions; Clayton Mizzi missed the bar from outside the area, John Mintoff also missed the bar after a Matthew Ciantar pass, and from a Ciantar flagkick Joseph Cremona headed just wide. Pieta’ keeper Matthew Camilleri foiled Fabian Debono after a Mizzi through ball.

In a Pieta’ reaction, John Debono put Clifford Obinwane through but Sliema keeper Henry Bonello saved the latter’s cross-shot and Obinwane put Goodlip through who missed the upright. A Goodlip cross was cleared to corner and a header by Ryan Camilleri missed the upright after a Karl Pulo cross.

Camilleri then saved in two attempts a Ciantar shot after a Mark Spiteri through ball.

The second period was also action-packed. Camilleri partially saved on John Micallef’s free-kick shot and Gatt Baldacchino headed the rebound past the upright.

Goodlip then put Kokavessis through and Bonello had to rush out of his charge to kick the ball upfield and later turned to corner a shot by Pulo after a Goodlip cross.

Pieta’s Eman Camilleri was then shown the red card for arguing on 70 minutes and a minute later Kokavessis was sent for an early shower for swearing.

On 73 minutes Sliema’s Nathan Caruana was also given marching orders for unsporting behaviour and in the third minute of added time Pieta’ players Goodlip and Gary Busutill were shown a yellow card for adopting a fighting attitude.

Referee: Mohammed Khalil

Player of the Match: Matthew Ciantar (Sliema W).

Section B

Tarxien R 1

Hamrun S 4

After their defeat against eternal rivals Marsa a week ago, the Spartans are back to their winning ways. They are now in fourth place with 26 points from 15 games and stand a good chance for promotion next season.

Tarxien created the first occasion; Matthew Schembri put Terence Vella through but keeper Ryan Mangion foiled him with a timely sortie. Hamrun opened the score on seven minutes; Gilmour Micallef put Mead Mifsud through, Steve Buhagiar tripped him in the area and Quilin Refalo converted the resultant penalty.

Encouraged by this early lead, Hamrun resumed their pressure and dominated Tarxien throughout the first period. Dalton Caruana crossed to Shawn Farrugia but Tarxien keeper Nicholas Farrugia saved his grounder. Micallef put Brandon Borg through but his shot missed the bar and a Micallef cross found no takers in Tarxien’s area.

The Spartans doubled on 18 minutes. Mead Mifsud crossed to Borg who netted with a powerful shot. Dalton Caruana crossed to Refalo but his shot was cleared to corner.

It became 3-0 on 32 minutes after a choral move: Adam Calleja Urry crossed to Mifsud, the latter put Refalo through who scored on entering the area.

On 52 minutes Hamrun scored a fourth goal; Mifsud put Refalo through, Farrugia partially saved his shot and Micallef was on hand to net the rebound. The bar then denied Borg.

Four minutes before the end, Tarxien scored a consolation goal from a Zammit header after an Ian Bescanon free-kick.

Referee: Joe Camilleri

Player of the Match: Gilmour Micallef (Hamrun S).