Melita beat Lija Athletic in their last match of the season to force a promotion decider with Mosta next Friday to determine the third team to go to the Premier League.

Melita fully deserved their victory against a gallant Lija side that gave Melita a very good run for their money. Kane Micallef was Melita’s best player yesterday and was instrumental in his side’s three goals.

Melita found it very hard especially in the first half as Lija defended well with Melita missing some scoring opportunities. In the second half Melita were more determined and took the lead early in the second half through a Kane Micallef penalty. Lija had Daniel Scerri sent off in the penalty incident and Melita quickly added a third goal to put the issue beyond doubt.

Melita had a dream start when after only two minutes Carnago San Pedro headed home a Kane Micallef cross. Minutes later Lija’s Spiteri slightly missed the target with a precise header.

On 20 minutes Melita went close again when a Kane Micallef scorcher was brilliantly saved by Sean Mintoff. Three minutes later Lija were back on level terms when defender Martin Camileri crossed towards Admir Dzanovic who headed home past a bewildered Zahra in the Melita goal.

Melita quickly went backin attack and on 33 minutes Julian Galea missed a sitter all alone in front of goal. Just before the break Andrea Spiteri beat the offside trap only to be denied by a brilliant Zahra save.In stoppage time Kane Micallef went close again with his rising shot going inches high.

On the resumption it was Lija’s turn to miss an incredible scoring chance when Marko Potezica was put through by Antoine Sacco, but his shot all alone in front of goal was somehow blocked by Zahra.

On 50 minutes Carnago San Pedro passed towards Kane Micallef whose two point blank shots were brilliantly blocked by Mintoff, and from the second rebound Nicolo Baldacchino’s shot was handled on the goal line by Daniel Scerri.

Referee Sant awarded the penalty and sent off Daniel Scerri who lost a pillar in defence. From the penalty spot Kane Micallef coolly scored with a low shot. Melita were now in the driving seat and on 56 minutes they put the issue beyond doubt. Kane Micallef crossed from the left and Nicolo Baldacchino headed beautifully home.

The match was now won and lost with Melita dictating matters and missing some scoring chances where Vella Petroni and San Pedro were not sharp enough. In the closing stages Lija went close to another goal but Melita goalkeeper Zahra made a superb save off a Dzanovic missile from the edge of the area.

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

Lija A S. Mintoff, A. Spiteri, M. Camilleri, A. Sacco, M. Potezica (W. Borg St. John), K. Darmanin (J.P. Scerri), J. Spiteri, A. Scicluna, A. Dzanovic, M. Fleri Soler (B. Antignolo).

Referee Alan Mario Sant