Melita 3

Mosta 2

Melita obtained a dramatic but deserved victory over Mosta to move closer to a historic promotion to the Premier League. Melita have now edged out Mosta in the standings and with two matches remaining they are favourites to make it to the top flight, even though if they still have to face newly crowned champions Balzan Youths.

Mosta were the better team in the first half, coming back strongly after suffering an early goal. But in the second half Melita dominated the game and pushed Mosta in their own penalty area, and managed to turn the tide in their favour with a Nicolo Baldacchino brace.

Certainly the two substitutions made by coach Martin Gregory early in the second half had their effect on the final result. With these inclusions Melita were more menacing in attack as they created many scoring chances.

Melita had a dream start taking the lead after only two minutes play when defender Michael Martin headed home a Maxime Batel corner from the left.

But six minutes later Mosta were back on level terms when a William Camenzuli shot was blocked by a Melita defender and from the rebound Gilbert Martin hit low past Karl Zahra.

The game was played at a slower pace after such a promising start. Mosta had more of the ball and kept the Melita defence under pressure, but Melita went close to take the lead again on 27 minutes when Julian Galea’s header was well saved by Jonathan debono.

On 35 minutes Mosta’s Simon Shead missed a sitter when he received the ball from William Camenzuli but he lobbed wide with only Zahra to beat. But the Mosta striker made amends four minutes later when he nipped in to hit home an inviting Victor Osobu low cross. Just before the break Victor Osobu went close to a third goal but his effort slightly missed the target.

In the second half Martin Gregory introduced Nicolo Baldacchino and Kane Micallef and Melita were now constantly on the attack. On 57 minutes the Mosta goalkeeper Debono saved his side with a brilliant save denying Luke Micallef.

Minutes later Nicolo Baldacchino headed a Kane Micallef cross towards Julian Galea whose first timer went inches wide. On 70 minutes Mosta hit back with a fast break, but Victor Osobu all alone in front of goal shot incredibly wide.

On 73 minutes Melita obtained a deserved equalizer when Michael Martin’s shot came in the path of Nicolo Baldacchino who trapped the ball before beating Debono with a low shot. Melita were now all over their opponents and three minutes later William Camenzuli saved a certain goal blocking on the goal line a Luke Micallef effort after a melee inside the Mosta box.

Mosta could have sealed the issue with two fast breaks, but in both instances striker Gilbert Martin failed to take advantage, even thanks to great recoveries by Luca Martinelli and Rudi Alinhio.

The Mosta goalkeeper made a great save four minutes from time saving a Luke Micallef scorcher from inside the area, but his best was yet to come when he saved a Michael Martin point blank header.

But on 90 minutes the Mosta goalkeeper could not save his side any more when he was beaten by a precise grounder by striker Nicolo Baldacchino who proved to be Melita’s hero yesterday afternoon.

Melita – K. Zahra, R. Alinho, L. Martinelli, G. Gribbon. A. Caruana Scicluna (N. Baldacchino), M. Martin, M. Borg (K. Vella Petroni)), J. Galea, E. San Pedro, L. Micallef, M. Batel (K. Micallef).

Mosta – J. Debono, K. Farrugia, V. Osobu (L. Micallef), M. Briggs, G. Martin (R. Deguara), A. Cini, N. Bogdanovic, B. Agius, K. Spiteri (M. Brincat), W. Camenzuli, S. Shead.

Referee – Marco Borg

Mqabba dent promotion hopes

Mqabba 1

Msida SJ 1

Mqabba’s promotion hopes were yesterday dealt a severe blow when bottom of the table Msida held them to a 1-1 draw.

This was Msida’s first point of the season.

A below par Mqabba side dominated the match and went ahead through a Wilson Caushi on 31 minutes.

At the start of the second half Msida obtained the equaliser through Phiram Sakchai.

It was not Mqabba’s day as they the post twice, once in each half through Pierre Grima and Timotic.

Msida SJ – D. Borda, M. Borda, L. Micallef, R. Xuereb (M. Grech), L. Cassar, P. Sakchai, K. Saliba (D. Hili), N. Curmi, C. Zammit (L. Micallef), M. Jackson Harper, G. Refalo.

Mqabba – K. Calleja, P. Grima, A. Scicluna, B. Timotic, M. Briffa, D. Azzopardi, T. Maziteli (A. Cakigi), I. Curmi (C. Calleja), W. Caushi, J. Shean, S. Magro.

Referee – Mohammed Khaleed