St George’s 1

Melita 2

Melita staged a good comeback yesterday to topple St George’s and beat them with the odd goal in three.

St George’s took a deserved early lead and looked capable of controlling their opponents’ reaction. But Melita had other ideas and with two quick goals in the last fifteen minutes of the match they turned the tide in their favour.

This was a severe setback for the Saints’ hopes of making it to the Premier League as their position in the table is becoming more complicated. On the other hand the victory puts Melita among the possible candidates of making it to the top flight.

Melita played their hearts out, showing some good football in the process and were rewarded in the end.

The Saints had a very bright start and had penalty appeals turned down by the referee. Minutes later Benoir Fenech’s effort slightly missed the target. On eleven minutes the Saints had a very good move between Mark Barbara and Gary Inguanez, who squared the ball towards Ruiz who hesitated in front of goal and missed a good opportunity.

Four minutes later St George’s took a deserved lead when Mark Barbara passed towards Glenn Bonello who beat Galea with a precise rounder.

Melita immediately bounced back in attack and could have easily equalized three minutes later Luke Micallef missed a sitter all alone in front of goal. On 22 minutes Luke Micallef passed towards Nigel Rizzo who tested Thomas Galea.

On 30 minutes Melita went close again with a good Matthew Borg move who passed towards Nicolo Baldacchino who shot straight in Galea’s hands, when he should have done better.

Two minutes from the break a Nigel Rizzo scorcher was well saved by Thomas Galea, and in stoppage time the same goalkeeper made another impressive save off an Emilio Cornago San Pedro close range header.

On the resumption Melita held the initiative for long stretches, but the Saints were rather dangerous in their counter breaks. Ruiz had some good runs and had a shot going slightly wide and with another good initiative he passed towards Glenn Bonello who failed to connect.

Fifteen minutes from time Melita reaped fruit from their hard work when they obtained the equalizer. From a Rizzo freekick, Luke Micallef’s shot was partially saved by Thomas Galea and Matthew Borg was on hand to nod the ball home.

Melita continued to push forward and five minutes later they scored what proved to be the winner when Luke Micallef hammered home from an angle for a well taken goal.

The Saints were unable to hit back as Melita covered well to hold on to their precious lead till the final whistle.

St. George’s - T. Galea; T. Farrugia, B. Fenech, E. Sevasta, M. Milutinovic, L. Agius, D. Zarb, M. Barbara (L. Stivala), G. Inguanez (E. Amaira), G. Bonello, J. Ruiz

Melita - K. Zahra; R. Alinho (M. Cachia), L. Martinelli, G. Gribbon, M. Borg, N. Rizzo, N. Baldacchino (J. Galea), E. Cornago San Pedro, L. Micallef, M. Fenech, S. Galea (K. Vella Petroni)

Referee - Paul Apap

Balzan move closer to promotion

Lija A 1

Balzan Y 2

League leaders Balzan Youths obtained another victory, a victory that puts them closer to the Premier League.

Balzan Youths are now very close to making it to the top flight, as they now have an eight-point lead over second placed St George’s and Mqabba, with the latter having a game in hand, today’s much awaited clash against Mosta.

Neighbours Lija playing their last slim chances of challenging for the promotion race, gave their best, but had to give in at the end, leaving the field empty handed and maybe losing all hopes.

However Lija gave a very good account of themselves, especially in the second half when they pushed their opponents in their own half.

The leaders confirmed they are a solid side well geared for the top division evn though, yet again, they failed to impress.

Balzan with Calcado and Renato Conceicao in top form, should do better especiallky in attack where Anywanna is still far away from his best form.

Balzan had the lions’ share of the exchanges in the first fourty five minutes, as they held the initiative for long stretches. However Lija Athletic gave a very good account of themselves playing a very solid game in midfield and in defence.

A Steve Meilka attempt was well saved by Mintoff inside the first minute, and Lija hit back with a Daniel Scerri attempt going inches wide.

On nine minutes Anywanna tried an overhead kick, but the ball was off target. Renato Conceicao shot straight in Mintoff’s hands and on 23 minutes Anywanna beat the Lija defence, but his shot slightly missed the target.

On 25 minutes Conceicao stunned goalkeeper Mintoff from a distance but the ball skimmed the crossbar. On the other end Antignolo passed towards Dzanovic whose effort was blocked by Tabone.

Three minutes from the break Balzan took a deserved lead when Calcado passed towards Steve Meilak who dribbled past goalkeeper Mintoff who floored the Balzan striker. From the resultant penalty Calcado made no mistake with a precise shot that finished in the top corner.

The second half was less intense as Balzan defended their slender lead allowing Lija to take the initiative.

The weather conditions made it practically impossible to see spectacular football but both sides gave their hearts out.

Play was mainly in midfield in this second part of the match, as Lija failed to penetrate the leaders’ well organised defence.

On their part Balzan failed to make use of the spaces that the Lija defenders left in an attempt to get the equaliser.

Goal mouth actions were very rare in the second half, but Lija were very unlucky when an Antoine Sacco header slammed against the crossbar with the Balzan goalkeeper beaten.

Lija piled up the pressure in the dying stages but were jolted on 90 minutes when Pedro Dos Santos Calcado broke through a gaping hole in the Lija defence and after a good run he slotted the ball past Mintoff.

But it was not over yet as sixty seconds later Lija scored a deserved consolation goal when substitute Wayne Borg St John fired a beauty from the edge of the area, that completely beat the Balzan goalkeeper Tabone.

Lija A – S. Mintoff, M. Camilleri, A. Saliba, D. Scerri, M. Potezica, A. Sacco, A. Buhagiar (W. Borg St. John), A. Scicluna, A. Dzanovic, B. Antignolo (K. Formosa), M. Fleri Soler.

Balzan Y – F. Tabone, C. Ciantar, J. Francica, S. Pace, R. Forace, D. Grima (B. Bondin), R. Conceicao, A. Agius (M. Buttigieg), P. Dos Santos Calcado, S. Meilak (D. Fenech), U. Anywanna.

Referee – Alan Mario Sant