Vittoriosa S 2

Mellieha 1

Substitute Timothy Thomas was the match winner for ten-man Vittoriosa Stars who yesterday defeated Mellieha by the odd goal in three. Mellieha deserved something better as they dominated the match for long stretches, but they missed too much in front of goal, whilst Vittoriosa punced on their chances to claim this important victory.

Vittoriosa played the last part of the match with ten players following Darmanin’s dismissal.

Mellieha were the better team in the first fourty five minutes and went close with an Ibrahim Tarek freekick that went over the bar. On twelve minutes Mellieha went close again when Wayne St John played a good ball from the right towards Calabretta who squandered an easy chance in front of goal.

Vittoriosa’s first attempt came on 22 minutes with a Johan Spiteri header missing the upright. On 33 minutes Calabretta arrived before goalkeeper Cassar but his shot was cleared off the line by David Gauci. On 39 minutes Mellieha forged ahead when Calabretta dribbled past two defenders before beating Cassar with a grounder from the edge of the area.

Just before the break Vittoriosa obtained the equaliser when Trevor Thomas was floored by William Borg and from the resultant penalty the same Trevor Thomas scored with a low shot.

In the second half Vittoriosa had a good start but Mellieha gradually took hold again of the match. On 62 minutes Vittoriosa goalkeeper Cassar made two spectacular saves off Borg St John and Calabretta from the rebound. Three minutes later Vittoriosa were reduced to ten men when Keith Darmanin was shown the second yellow card for a foul on Borg St John.

Mellieha continued with the pressure but Vittoriosa introduced Timothy Thomas who was the Stars’ winning card. In fact Timothy Thomas was a real menace to the Mellieha rearguard with his dribbling and sharp shooting.

On 81 minutes Timothy Thomas missed a sitter in front of goal but he made amends three minutes later when he nipped in between two defenders to chip the ball beyond Gauci’s reach.

Mellieha stormed desperately forward in the dying stages and Vittoriosa goalkeeper Ivan Cassar was their heroes making two spectacular saves off shots by Borg St John and Calabretta.

Tarxien R 1

St. George's 0

Tarxien Rainbows are the new First Division League leaders after their slender and deserved victory against St George’s yesterday.

The Rainbows are now in top spot eevn though they have played a game more than Mosta who have yet to suffer their first goal.

Tarxien confirmed their somewhat magic moment after their victories in the FA trophy against Qormi and in the First Division Konock out against bottom placed St Patrick.

In all fairness sake yesterday’s display was not one of their best as compared to the mentioned showings.

But they were still good enough to beat a rather slow and disappointing St George’s side.

The Saints failed miserably especially in attack with Peter Anizoba a pale shadow of his usual self.

Although the match started at a slow pace, Tarxien were better on the field of play with Essien Mbong a fundamental piece in the Tarxien midfield setup.

On 20 minutes Tarxien scored what proved to be the winner when Essien Mbong passed to ex-Naxxar player Simon Muscat and the talented player crossed for Angus Buhagiar who made no mistake in front of the Saints’ goal.

Tarxien went close again with a good Angus Buhagiar move who passed to Malcolm Buttigieg who blasted ver the bar.

The Saints were expected to press for the equaliser in the second half, but Tarxien were still the better teamwith Ryan Grech and Buhagiar testing Gatt.

St George’s had their best patch mid-way through the half with shots from substitutes Amaira and Marmara but Curmi was on the alert to block the danger.

Near the end Tarxien squandered some easy scoring chances to seal the issue but Simon Muscat and Angus Buhagiar failed to score with the Saints’ goalkeeper Gatt making a brilliant save to deny Muscat.