Melita and Naxxar figured in an entertaining 1-1 draw, with Melita missing a good chance to go temporarily on top of the table. It was a fair result with both sides giving that extra bit in the first half.

Melita were the better team in the opening stages, but Naxxar rallied for a deserved equalizer near the end of the first half. In the second half, the match played a slower pace, with Naxxar having the edge over their opponents, but failing to capitalize on the few chances theyr created.

After a tame start melita started to dictate matters with a Terpougoff freekick well saved by Azzopardi. On 13 minutes George Gribbon tested Azzopardi who could only partially save and from the rebound Siera Camacho missed a sitter with an open goal at his mercy.

On 18 minutes Terpougoff did the running on the left flank and crossed towards Michael Martin whose point blank shot beat goalkeeper Azzopardi, but defender Andrea Farrugia was right on the goal line to avoid a certain goal. Naxxar had their first attempt on 21 minutes when Darren Falzon tested Sappiano direct from a freekick.

Five minutes later Melita took the lead. A terpougoff cross was apparently handled by Lyden Micallef with referee Azopardi pointing for the penalty spot, and Sierra Camacho made no mistake sending Azzopardi the wrong way. On the half hour Melita went close a second goal but Luke Micallef’s rising shot skimmed the crossbar.

At the other Naxxar went very close on 34 minutes when Siqueira’s shot missed the base of the upright by a whisker. Three minutes from the break, Edilson Fiori finished off a melee in front of the Melita goal, but his shot hit the side netting. On 45 minutes Daniel Sibalin missed a sitter in front of goal, but in stoppage time Naxxar’s pressure was rewarded.

Siqueira beat the offside trap and crossed towards Edilson Fiori who headed home from close range.

Immediately on the resumption, Naxxar went close with a Siqueira freekick forcing goalkeeper Sappiano to a difficult save. Naxxar held the upper hand in the second half and had more of the ball. On 67 minutes Edilson Fiori created havoc in the Melita defence before passing towards Darren Falzon who was denied by a desperate sortie by goalkeeper Sappiano.

Naxxar continued to show the better ideas in the last moments but they never went close enough to grab the three points at stake.

Melita M. Sappiano, T. Terpougoff (N. Baldacchino), M. Sierra Camacho, G. Gribbon, M.Martin, M. Borg, K. Micallef, K. Vella Petroni, L. Sammut, M. Valencia (S. Galea), L. Micallef.

Naxxar L J. Azzopardi, A. Farrugia, L. Micallef, K. Drago, R. Schembri, H. Lima Siqueira (A. Da Silva), E. Fiori (M. Maccari), V. Bellia, M. Del Negro, D. Falzon, D. Sibalin

Referee Kevin Azzopardi