Mqabba started the League campaign on a high note when they beat Melita 2-0 thanks to two second half goals. Mqabba’s victory was a deserved one, with a good second half display.

The first half was rather disappointing with very few scoring chances, as neither side managed to be creative in front of goal. Mqabba were unlucky to lose Shaun Magro after 20 minutes, but his substitute Marlon Briffa proved to be the best player on the field of play providing both crosses for the Red’s goals.

Melita disappointed in their first outing. They showed some flashes of good football but they failed miserably in front of goal.

The first shot at goal came from Mqabba’s David Azzopardi, a shot which missed the target. On 28 minutes Melita’s Kane Micallef tried his luck from a distance, but his shot was off target. Melita’s best chance came near the end of the first period but Julian Galea hesitated in front of goal and Kris Calleja blocked the danger.

Mqabba took the lead on 57 minutes when Marlon Briffa’s precise cross from the right was headed beautifully home by Mazitelli. Melita went close to an equalizer four minutes later when Kane Micallef crossed towards Matthew Borg who tested Kris Calleja from an acute angle.

On 65 minutes Mqabba doubled the score. Another god cross by Marlon Briffa found the Melita defence completely off guard, and John Paul Muscat had all the time to place the ball behind goalkeeper Karl Zahra.

Melita had a good chance to get back in the match on 70 minutes but Nicolo Baldacchino shot wide from an ideal position. Melita continued to attack in the final minutes of the match, but the Mqabba defence controlled the match with relative ease. Melita’s last attempt came in stoppage time with George Gribbon’s header going inches wide.

Melita K. Zahra, R. Alinho, L. Martinelli, G. Gribbon, M. Martin, M. Borg (S. Galea), K. Micallef, J. Galea, L. Micallef (N. Baldacchino), K. Vella Petroni, M. Batel.

Mqabba K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, M. Bonnici, P. Grima, B. Timotic, D. Azzopardi, T. Mazitelli, C. Calleja (C. Cuschieri), J.P. Muscat (J. Shead), J. Debattista, S. Magro (M. Briffa)

Referee Malcolm Spiteri

Balzan Y 1

St Andrews 1

St Andrews sprung a surprise yesterday when they held Balzan to a 1-1 draw thanks to a late equalizer. It was a more than deserved point for the Saints who played a brilliant match and were better than their opponents to earn the first point of the season.

For Balzan it was a disappointing result and performance, and they have to thank their goalkeeper Tabone who was the best player on the field of play. Balzan, one of the favourites for the promotion race stuttered yesterday and are still in search of their first victory after two outings.

St Andrews were in splendid form and gave Balzan a very good run for their money. They had some very good moments in the first half and were slightly the better team.

On eight minutes Balzan had their first attempt with Steve Meilaq pouncing on a St Andrews defensive blunder, but goalkeeper Ibrahim was on the alert to save.

Ten minutes later St Andrews should have taken the lead. A Vella Petroni corner was headed by Jack Pallen, and with the Balzan goalkeeper completely beaten, Sylvan Ciscaldi cleared off the goal line. His clearance came William Camilleri’s way who headed towards goal, but once again Ciscaldi was on the right spot to head away the danger.

On the other side the same Ciscaldi went close to score for his side when he received from Clifton Ciantar and shot low, but Ibrahim saved the danger. St Andrews had two good attempts from Eddie Grima and Michael Valenzia, but both shots missed the target.

Balzan dominated the dying minutes of the first half. Simon Mizzi tested Ibrahim and just before the break, Glenn Fenech almost committed an own goal.

On the resumption St Andrews had the first chance with Pallen and Grima combining well, with the former hitting the side netting. On 55 minutes a melee ensued inside the Saints’ penalty area, and Glenn Fenech had to clear the ball off the goal line.

On 63 minutes Balzan goalkeeper Tabone made the save of the match when he tipped from under the crossbar a header by Ronnie Hartvig. Five minutes later Tabone again brought the house down with a brilliant save off an Anakua scorcher, with Camilleri blasting wide the rebound.

On 71 minutes Balzan took the lead against the run of play. Hartvig failed to control inside the box and the same player pulled Steve Meilaq with the referee awarding the penalty. Anywanna easily slotted home from the penalty spot.

St Andrews were jolted and Balzan almost doubled the score on 80 minutes when a Steve Meilaq cross shot slammed against the crossbar. Four minutes from time St Andrews obtained a deserved equalizer when William Camilleri crossed towards Anakua whose weak shot deceived goalkeeper Tabone, and Eddie Grima slammed the ball home.

Balzan Y F. Tabone, R. Conceicao, J. Francica (L. Micallef), C. Ciantar, R. Farrugia, S. Ciscaldi, S. Mizzi (A. Agius), S. Meilaq, R. Forace, M. Sciortino (B. Bondin), U. Anywanna.

St. Andrew’s D. Ibrahim, G. Fenech, P. Briscoe White, N. Chetcuti, R. Hartvig, M. Valenzia (M. Calleja), N. Vella Petroni, W. Camilleri, E. Grima, K. Coleiro (J.P. Calleja), J. Pallen (F. Anakua).

Referee Kevin Azzopardi