Football – Bank of Valletta Division Two

Early on Mgarr wasted an easy opportunity through Matthew Muscat with Mellieha taking the lead on seven minutes through GOTTHARD CONTI.

In the 11th minute Mellieha were close through a Rueben Vella free-kick with Mgarr’s response producing a long-range shot by Alex Portelli which was deflected to a corner-kick and an angled shot which finished just wide.

On the half-hour Mellieha managed to score through David Fenech following a Rueben Vella through-pass but the goal was annulled for an offside infringement.

Mgarr replied through Anthony Muscat whose shot just missed the target with Mellieha having a shot by David Fenech which was well saved by Ghio.

Mellieha dictated the run of play for long stretches troughout the second period and after just two minutes a cross by Rueben Vella was met by GOTTHARD CONTI who shot in from close-range.

At the other end the Mellieha keeper brought off a fine save to deny Josef Micallef with Mellieha losing a clear opportunity through Jeffrey Gauci.

In the 72nd minute Mgarr were close to reducing the arrears as successive shots by Steve Aquilina and Neil Busuttil were blocked by Simon Gauci. Mellieha’s striker GOTTHARD CONTI notched his hat-trick in the 77th minute when he finished off a good move by David Fenech, the latter one of the best players on the field of play.

A minute into injury-time Mellieha had a goal scored by Conti annulled for an offside position after an attempt by Wayne Borg St.John had hit the woodwork.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Balzan Y-Marsa 2-0

Early on Balzan were close as a shot by Luke Stivala was saved with difficulty by Spiteri with Marsa responding through Adam Spiteri whose low shot was parried by Joshua Galea.

In the 12th minute a dangerous header by Kurt Coleiro was deflected to a corner-kick but seven minutes later Balzan’s striker Aaron Agius advanced all alone but was floored by the Marsa keeper Roderick Spiteri who was sent off.

Balzan were given a penalty with AARON AGIUS beating substitute keeper Demis Grima from the spot to give his team a deserved lead.

At the other end Marsa were close through Joe Rizzo but it was Balzan who could have increased the lead through close attempts by Kurt Coleiro and Clint Micallef.

Four minutes into the second half Balzan were close through Cedric Sciberras and in the 51st minute a shot by Clint Micallef was saved with difficulty by the Marsa keeper Demis Grima.

Three minutes later Balzan scored through Kurt Coleiro who fouled Grima and the goal was not allowed to stand and in the 59th minute Luke Stivala crossed from the right flank and a header by Jonathan Francica was saved partially by Grima. CLAYTON CARUANA picked up the ball and shot in from close-range tomake it 2-0.

Two minutes into injury time Balzan could have added a further goal but Chris Abela hit just wide of the far post.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Lija Ath-B’Bugia SP 1-0

Lija Athletic were the better team during the first-half and in the 11th minute their striker Chris Pace was foiled by Paul Celeste.

Then they were again denied by Celeste who turned the ball onto the post off a shot by Martin Borg and on another occasion the B’Bugia keeper saved a point-blank volley by Andre Scicluna.

B’Bugia were close through Ronnie Celeste but it was again Lija who were very close to taking the lead with Bernard Farrugia clearing the ball off the line to stop a shot by Daniel Cremona.

Just before the break the Lija keeper brought off a fine save off Jason Cassar’s long-range shot. Four minutes after the restart, B’Bugia were denied by Luke Bonnici off a close-range effort by Ronnie Celeste with Lija responding through Beppe Antignolo who hit just high over the bar.

At the other end B’Bugia were close through Jason Cassar.

Lija opened the score on 74 minutes as a pass by Martin Borg was picked up by IBRAHIM TARIK who managed to beat Bonnici with an angled shot.

Then Tarik could have increased Lija’s lead but his shot was well saved by the Lija keeper with B’Bugia going close to an equaliser late in the match through Eric Saliba.

In injury time Lija had a Colin Ciantar effort which was cleared off the goal line.

Referee: Sammy Attard.

St. Venera L-Zebbug R 1-1

St.Venera Lightnings showed the better football during the first period and the Rangers’ keeper Martin Pace had to bring off fine saves to deny Mark Grech and Stefan Farrugia.

Then a shot by Andrew Hili fnished just wide with Zebbug replying through a dangerous attempt by Timothy Thomas and an Errol Cachia crosshot which ended just high over the bar.

Zebbug again went close through Timothy Thomas with St. Venera having a Glen Micallef volley which just missed the far post.

In the 42nd minute Zebbug were very close to taking the lead as a through-pass by Donald Gatt was picked up by Marlon Vella who shot just high over the bar from a few metres out.

Zebbug Rangers held the initiative for long stretches throughout the second half and went close early on through Johan Cilia and Timothy Thomas.

In the 55th minute St. Venera broke the deadlock through an angled shot by JEFFREY ZAMMIT following good work by Mark Grech.

From then onwards Zebbug pressed forward with attempts by Johan Cilia and Errol Cachia ending just wide.

St. Venera had a good opportunity in the 71st minute with Mark Grech’s shot just missing the far post but a minute later Zebbug wasted an incredible goal scoring opportunity through Timothy Thomas.

Zebbug continued to push forward and were rewarded for their efforts in the 88th minute as an Errol Cachia corner-kick was headed in by GORDON MALLIA.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.