St George’s 1

Melita 2

Ten-man Melita obtained their first victory of the season beating St. George’s with the odd goal in three in a balanced match. Melita were better in the first half, but the Saints came back strongly in the second half, but missed some glaring scoring chances through Amadeo Mercieca.

Michael Galea made his debut for Melita, to join his younger brothers Simon and Julian. Michael marked his debut with the equalizer from the penalty spot, whilst Simon was sent off ten minutes from time.

Both teams had lost their opening match and were very cautious in the opening minutes

Scoring chances were few in the first half with St. George’s taking a surprise lead in their first attack on 18 minutes. Dylan Zarb outpaced defender Sierra Camacho to beat Mathew Sapiano with a fierce drive.

Melita immediately hit back with a Luke Micallef grounder that was well saved by Thomas Galea.

On 35 minutes Melita obtained a deserved equaliser when Luke Sammut was floored by Sevasta, and Michael Galea converted in style the resultant penalty. Melita were now playing better and went close again before the break through a Luke Sammut shot.

On the resumption St. George’s looked a transformed side and missed a sitter in the opening minutes when Mercieca shot wide with an open goal at his mercy. On the other end Melita had a goal disallowed, and Julian Galea had two attempts slightly missing the target. On 75 minutes an Inguanez freekick missed the target by inches.

Ten minutes from time Melita were reduced to ten men when Simon Galea was shown the second yellow card. The Saints went close again but Mercieca missed another sitter.

St. George’s paid dearly for these mistakes as Melita scored the winner on 90 minutes when Luke Micallef scored with an angled shot.

St. George’s: T. Galea, E. Sevasta, R. Boutahir, G. Inguanez, D. Zarb, H. Schembri, A. Abela, A. Bonello, M.A. Bonnici (D. Zahra), A. Mercieca, C. Grech.

Melita: M. Sapiano, J. Vukanic, M. Sierra Camacho, S. Galea, A. Caruna Scicluna (M. Cachia)(K. Vella Petroni), D. Erak (E. Carnago San Pedro), M. Borg, M. Galea, L. Sammut, J. Galea, L. Micallef.

Referee: A. M. Sant

St Andrews 1

Birzebugia 0

St Andrews registered their first win of the season beating a fighting Birzebbuga side by a a solitary goal scored in the first half. The Saints deserved their victory for their first half performance as they dominated their opponents.

However Birzebbuga had a strong comeback in the second half, going close to an equalizer on several occasions.

St Andrews deservedly built a one-goal till the first 45 minutes.

On 22 minutes Aldinho Concalves brought the best from Ivan Casha direct from a freekick, and from the resultant corner Michael Calleja slammed the ball home from close range.

Birzebbuga had no reply with Celeste and Mead Mifsud completely subdued by defenders Brian Said and Tomas Lindberg who was making his debut.

The first half had a dramatic finish when a Celeste header appeared to finish at the back of the net, but the ball must have hit the crossbar as referee Philip Farrugia, who was making his debut, waved play on.

Birzebbuga were unlucky on the resumption when a Celeste header hit the upright.

St. Andrews : D. Balzan, N. Chetcuti, A. Camilleri Kamsky, T. Lindberg, B. Said, A. Nakuaa, M. Ellul, M. Calleja (R. Previ), W. Camileri (J. Briscoe White), V. Aldinho Goncalves, M. Grima (K. Coleiro).

Birzebbuga: I. Casha, K. Spiteri, M. Pullicino, D. Milovic, F. Schneider, F. Anton (B. Onuta), G. Tanti (F. Peplow), K. Borg, M. Mifsud, R. Celeste, K. Muscat (M. Sciortino).

Referee: P.Farrugia