Marsaxlokk 2

Melita 0

Marsaxlokk bounced back from a series of negative results culminated in the defeat against St George’s, by beating Melita by two second half goals in the opening match of the second round yesterday at The Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The victory puts Marsaxlokk back on top of the table, at least temporarily, but the showing from Patrick Curmi’s boys was far from satisfying.

Experience was surely the winning factor against the young Melita side ably guided by Martin Gregory. The match was balanced for long stretches with Marsxlokk scoring two goals early in the second half to grab the points.

Melita created the first danger with Luke Micallef hitting wide. On 12 minutes a splendid Martin Deanov passed towards Kokavessis but his shot slightly missed the target.

On 30 minutes Melita had a Nicolo Baldacchino goal disallowed for a rather dubious foul on the Marsaxlokk goalkeeper.

On the resumption Melita missed a sitter when young starlet Tobias Terpougoff failed to score with an open goal at his mercy.

Melita paid dearly for this slip as Marsaxlokk took the lead four minutes later when Licari’s first attempt was cleared off the goal line and from the rebound Bajada’s effort was deflected at the back of his own net by Gravino.

Ten minutes later George Gribbon pulled Licari and from the resultant penalty Martin Deanov made no mistake.

Melita fought desperately in the last portion of the match but were rather unlucky on 72 minutes when a header by Steve Bonnici slammed against the upright.

Three minutes later Melita had their best chance to get back in the game when Ives Bilocca was floored inside the area, but from the resultant penalty Matthew Borg could only hit the crossbar.

Marsaxlokk - G. Zammit, W. Camenzuli, E. Yanchev, R. Galabov, A. Spiteri (D. Carabott), F, Raimy, P. Pullicino, R. Bajada, M. Licari (G. Caruana), M. Deanov. D. Kokavessis

Melita - K. Zahra; S. Bonnici, D. Gravino, G. Gribbon, M. Martin (S. Galea), M. Borg, N. Baldacchino (I. Bilocca), J. Galea (M. Fenech), J. Mifsud, L. Micallef, T. Terpougoff

Referee - Kevin Azzopardi