St Patrick-Mellieha 1-0

Although Mellieha held the possession of the ball throughout the first period, it was St Patrick who created the first goal scoring opportunities.

In the 5th minute a free-kick taken by Simon Zerafa was headed just wide by the Saints’ captain Matthew Xerri and a minute later Simon Gauci saved off an insidious crosshot by Steven Dimech.

In the 15th minute Mellieha had a cross from the left flank by Daniel Cremona but Fabiano Bassi, all alone with an open goal, could only hit the upright.

Then Nikolay Filipov hit high over the bar from a direct free-kick and in the 19th minute a low shot by Mark Vella was well saved by the Saints’ keeper Joshua Galea.

In the 28th minute Mellieha were again unlucky as a shot by Mark Vella hit the crossbar and two minutes later the same player was denied by another fine save by Galea.

Three minutes before the break, St,Patrick were close as a cross by Ilyad Scicluna was headed on by Anthony Portelli with the Mellieha custodian managing to save with difficulty.

After the break, the Saints were the better side and after ten minutes Glen Barry shot just wide from close-range.

In the 56th minute David Mamo squandered an easy goal scoring opportunity as he blasted the ball high over the bar when unmarked in the penalty area and two minutes later the Mellieha custodian brought off an excellent save to deny Anthony Portelli.

The Saints kept pushing forward with Gauci bringing off another difficult save to deny Anthony Portelli with Mellieha replying in the 65th minute as a Nikolay Filipov free-kick was saved with difficulty by Joshua Galea.

Then Filipov shot high when freed by Daniel Cremona and in the 81st minute the same player again missed the target following a personal effort.

Six minutes from time the Saints scored the winning goal as Glen Barry headed in from a cross from the left flank and three minutes into injury-time Mellieha were close as a shot by Alex Portelli was saved with difficulty by Joshua Galea.

At the end of the match the St Patrick players, committee members and numerous supporters celebrated their team’s promotion to the First Division in style.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Asst Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Thomas Debono.