Mqabba 0

Melita 0

Promotion aspirants Mqabba had to settle for a draw yesterday against a determined and lively Melita side. Mqabba who had to play the last fifteen minutes of the match with ten players, are now lying third in the table, five points behind runaway leaders Balzan.

The result was a fair one in an interesting match with many scoring opportunities on both ends of the field.

Melita did the early running as they took hold of the midfield with Batel and the returning Julian Galea showing some good touches. After only two minutes play Melita went close when Cornago San Pedro crossed towards the unmarked George Gribbon whose powerful header was brilliantly saved by Calleja.

Melita continued to play better and a Cornago cross shot hit the side netting. Mqabba had their best chance of the first half mid way through when John Paul Muscat’s precise pass split the Melita defence but Mazitelli with only Zahra to beat shot incredibly wide.

Two minutes later Mqabba went close again when Cakiqi made his way inside the area and crossed towards Marlon Brifa whose shot on the turn missed the base of the upright.

On 34 minutes Melita were rather unlucky when goalkeeper Kris Calleja failed to grasp a harmless looking corner, but George Gribbon’s shot destined to the back of the net was cleared off the goal line by David Azzopardi.

On the resumption Melita had another good opportunity with Luke Micallef creating havoc in the Mqabba defence but his shot hit the side netting. On 55 minutes Melita went close again when Batel served Michael Martin who was stopped by a desperate Kris Calleja sortie.

Mid-way through the second half, Mqabba had two scoring opportunites. Wilson Caushi passed towards Cakiqi who fired slightly over the crossbar, and minutes later Mqabba striker Mazitelli pounced on a Melita defensive lapse but his effort hit the base of the upright.

On 72 minutes Mqabba were reduced to ten men when Mauro Bonnici received a second booking. A minute later Melita went very close to take an immediate lead when Mqabba defender Pierre Grima almost committed an own goal with his clearance smashing against the crossbar.

Melita pushed forward but left ample space at the back for Mqabba’s breaks. On 74 minutes substitute Shaun Magro missed a sitter with only Zahra to beat, and three minutes later a Pierre Grima freekick went slightly over the bar.

Mqabba – K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Bonnici, A. Scicluna, J. Debattista (C. Calleja), M. Briffa (S. Magro), D. Azzopardi, T. Mazitelli, J.P. Muscat, W. Caushi, A. Cakiqi.

Melita – K. Zahra, R. Alinho, L. Martinelli, G. Gribbon, M.Martin, M. Borg, M. Batel (M. Fenech), N. Baldacchino (T. Terpougoff), J. Galea (M. Cachia), E. Cornago San Pedro, L. Micallef.

Referee – Mario Apap