Melita beat Pieta Hotspurs to keep themselves well in the running for promotion. With three more games to play, Martin Gregory’s team move into third place, above Mosta, in the standings as the race for the remaining two promotion slots intensifies.
A goal in each half, incidentally each time after Pieta could have scored the goal themselves, gave Melita a good cushion by the 50th minute.
Pieta hit one back with 15 minutes remaining but their late rally was not enough to save anything from an evenly balanced match, and finally they were left to rue some missed chances.
Melita enjoyed slightly better the early exchanges and had attempts at goal by Caruana Scicluna and Borg which did not trouble keeper Montfort. Towards the quarter hour, Micallef’s first timer on a Cornago pass narrowly missed the target.
Pieta however carved the game’s first real opportunity on 17 minutes. Bandeira outpaced Gribbon and as keeper Zahra only parried his shot, Refalo crossed the loose ball for Zach Muscat who headed slightly over.
The Hotspurs were made to rue that lost chance ten minutes later. Luke Micallef caught their defence napping, ran inside the area and beat keeper Montfort with a low diagonal drive to put Melita in front.
Pieta went close to levelling matters before halftime. On 36 minutes Owuo played the ball forward to Refalo, but clear in front of goal he hit tantalisingly wide.
Then Bandeira shot feebly in the keeper’s hands when well placed on a Refalo pass.
Pieta remained on the offensive after the restart, looking dangerous with the incursions of Muscat on Refalo’s through passes from midfield.
Muscat missed another good chance when he shot straight on keeper Zahra, put through by Refalo.
The goal again came on the other end though on 49 minutes. Julian Galea played the ball wide on the right for Luke Micallef whose testing cross fell to the unattended Emilio Cornago to beat the helpless Montfort.
Pieta looked rattled as Melita remained firmly in command. Martinelli’s personal effort ended inches wide.
With slightly more than a quarter of an hour remaining, Melita were forced to substitute their injured central defender George Gribbon and soon they conceded a goal on 74 minutes. Owuo ended his overlap on the left with a perfect cross for Zach Muscat to beat keeper Zahra with a firm header.
Suddenly Pieta were back in the reckoning and put some pressure on the Melita defence.
Owuo cut through the middle but failed to find the target with his shot.
Melita held out for the remaining minutes to preserve an important win.
Pieta H M. Montfort, D. Owuo, R. Mifsud (C. Cassar), B. Sciberras, C. Grech, Q. Refalo, R. Bandeira, S. Grech (T. Agius), Z. Muscat, D. Camilleri (L. Mallia), I. Grech
Melita K. Zahra, R. Alhinhio, L. Martinelli, G. Gribbon (M. Cachia), A. Caruana Scicluna, M. Martin, M. Borg, J. Galea, E. Cornago San Pedro (K. Micallef), L. Micallef, M. Batel (M. Fenech)
Referee M. Khalil