Dingli S 0

Mosta 2

Mosta went on top of the standings thanks to a hard earned victory over ten-man Dingli Swallows.

The match was a very balanced affair and Mosta only claimed the victory thanks to two goals scored in a five-minute spell just before half time.

Until that time the less fancied Dingli side were keeping their opponents on edge thanks to some good pressing in midfield, and some good sprints by Jeremy Agius.

However after suffering the two goals, Dingli were unable to get back in the match. To hinder their difficult task Dingli also lost Victor Fiteni on the hour, who was sent off by referee Anton Zammit after receiving the second yellow.

Dingli could have taken the lead on five minutes when Jeremy Agius tested the Mosta custodian from an acute angle. After this effort Dingli failed to be dangerous again, but still gave Mosta a good run for their money.

Mosta were never dangerous until they opened the score. Dingli were very efficient in midfield blocking all Mosta’s attempts. Mosta missed the services of Carlos Camenzuli in attack, with Kalnga having a tame first half.

On 37 minutes Mosta took the lead when defender Steve Borg headed beautifully in a Massimo Grima from the right. Three minutes later Dingli had a glorious chance of obtaining the equaliser when Chris Ciappara was put through by Jeremy Agius, but his shot slightly missed the base of the upright.

Three minutes from the break Mosta increased the score through a Massimo Grima header who scored from close range a good cross by Elton Vella.

The second half started with Mosta on the rampant as they went close with a Kalenga header that was brilliantly saved by Farrugia. Massimo Grima tested Farrugia direct from a freekick and Dingli had a goal disallowed after Achukwu pushed defender Saliba. Dingli received a severe setback on the hour when midfielder Victor Fiteni was sent off following his second book-able offence.

This was practically the end of Dingli’s slim hopes of getting back into the match.

Mosta showed experience as they controlled their opponents to cruise home to an important victory that puts them on top of the standings.

Marsa 0

Mellieha 1

Mellieha obtained their second win of the season against fellow relegation candidates Marsa, in a match they dominated from start to finish. Mellieha’s slender win could have been of larger proportions as they missed a great amount of easy scoring chances especially in the second half.

Their main culprit was their goal-scorer Calabretta who missed some sitters in front of goal. Marsa’s low profile display was hindered by the expulsion of Ivan Borg minutes before the break. Playing with ten players was not easy for the Redblues, as Mellieha, with Costa Brasilino in splendid form, dominated but failed to score more goals to seal the issue.

Mellieha went close on three minutes when a Patrick Camilleri shot was cleared off the line by defender Darren Vella. After a slow start Marsa took the initiative but they failed to be dangerous in front of the Mellieha goal.

On thirty minutes Mellieha took the lead when Costa Brasilino passed to the unmarked Gianluca Calabretta who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Spiteri.

Two minutes later Mellieha went close again and were unlucky when Calabretta’s close range header slammed against the crossbar. Eight minutes from the break Marsa’s hopes were dented when Ivan Borg was sent off after a nasty foul on Patrick Camilleri.

On the resumption, Marsa had their best chance through one of their best players Warren Chircop, whose angled shot was well saved by Gauci. On 55 minutes Calabretta missed a sitter when he shot over the bar from a couple of meters.

Two minutes later the same Calabretta made his way inside the Marsa penalty area but his effort was blocked in style by goalkeeper Spiteri.

Mellieha continued to hold the upper hand, playing some good football in the process. On 72 minutes Calabretta missed yet another good chance when he lobbed slightly wide. Five minutes later goalkeeper Spiteri stretched to the limit to deflect a dipper from Reuben Vella.

Mellieha continued to squander goal scoring chances in the final minutes with Calabretta the main culprit even missing a sitter after managing to dribble past the Marsa goalkeeper.