Melita 2

St Patrick 1

Melita registered their second victory of the season beating St Patrick with the odd goal in three. It was deserved victory for Melita who dominated for long stretches especially in the first half.

The Saints defended for long periods and had their best moments late in the game when they surged forward in search of the equalizer. For Melita veteran Michael Galea made a second half appearance with Tobias Terpouguff and Kane Micallef stealing the show with some neat touches.

Melita were dominant in the first half, with St Patrick always on the receiving end. After only two minutes Melita broke the deadlock when Cornago San Pedro passed towards Luke Micallef who beat Joshua Galea with a low shot.

The Saints hit back with a Matthew Caruana effort from the edge of the area, a shot that went over the bar. On eleven minutes Melita were again menacing when Luke Micallef beat the offside trap only to hit incredibly over the bar.

Melita paid dearly for this mistake as three minutes later St Patrick were back on level terms when Gockaj was floored inside the box by Sierra Camacho and from the resultant penalty, newcomer Bertrand Engoudou placed the ball behind Andrew Abela.

Melita immediately pushed forward with Andrea Muscat missing another good opportunity when he hesitated in front of goal shooting over the bar when well placed.

On 35 minutes Kane Micallef passed towards Luke Micallef who was denied by a timely sortie from St Patrick goalkeeper Joshua Galea.

Just before the halftime whistle the Saints’ goalkeeper again came to his side’s rescue when he dived to save a precise grounder by Kane Micallef.

Melita quickly took the lead on the resumption when Terpougoff slalomed his way inside the Saints’ penalty area before passing towards Kane Micallef who easily slotted the ball home from close range.

Melita were now in full command but were unable to deliver the killer blow. On their part St Patrick grew in confidence and played their hearts out in the last portion of the match.

They went close with an Anthony Portelli header that missed the base of the upright, and Blendi Gockaj was denied by a good Andrew Abela save. Melita had ample spaces to operate their counter breaks but missed some good opportunities failing to deliver the last decisive pass.

In the dying minutes with St Patrick doing a desperate extra effort to save the match, melita could have closed the issue when Julian Galea’s shot was stopped by the crossbar with Joshua Galea beaten.

Melita A. Abela, T. Terpougoff, M. Sierra Camacho, G. Gribbon, M. Borg, K. Micallef (A. Caruana Scicluna), J. Galea, E. Cornago San Pedro, L. Micallef, L. Sammut (N. Baldacchino), A. Muscat (M. Galea).

St. Patrick J. Galea, S. Dimech (R. Vella), D. Zammit, D. Micallef (A. Portelli), M. Xerri, M. Caruana (R. Cassar), A. Galea, J. Farrugia, B. Gockaj, B. Engoudou, E. Grech.

Referee Karl Frendo Cumbo