Rabat Ajax easily beat Melita in an important clash between two teams fighting for a place in the Premier League next season. Rabat’s victory was a deserved one, and the win puts the Magpies on top of the table together with Pieta Hotspur who however have a game in hand.

Rabat were in top form yesterday even though they were without the services of Wilson Caushi, David Azzopardi and Clifford Gauci. However Arlindo Rustemi, Adam Smeir and Ryan Micallef were devastating in attack.

On the other hand Melita were far from their best form yesterday as they sorely missed the services of George Gribbon in defence and Manuel Sierra Camacho in attack.

Melita had a good start with a Terpougoff shot well saved by Sean Mintoff. Rabat hit back with a Smeir effort that was blocked by Sapiano and Ryan Micallef missed a good chance when he shot high from an ideal position.

On 23 minutes Rabat goalkeeper Mintoff was again called in action this time to save a a Luke Micallef fierce drive. Four minutes later Rabat missed an incredible chance when Rustemi made his way inside the box dribbled past goalkeeper Sapiano but blasted over the bar with an open goal at his mercy.

Rabat took the lead on 32 minutes when Arlindo Rustemi made his way inside the penalty area from the right flank and crossed towards Ryan Micallef who fired in the roof of the net from close range.

Melita were jolted by this goal and were from convincing in attack.On the other hand Rabat continued to dictate matters with Smeir and Rustemi in splendid form. Two minutes from the interval Rabat doubled the score when Yan Cauchi nipped in between Melita’s Michael Cachia and Matthew Borg and beat Sapiano with a low shot.

On the resumption Melita were more aggressive with Terpougoff denied by Mintoff. But Melita’s flair quickly faded away as Rabat were finding open space for their fast breaks. Rabat had some penalty appeals turned down by the referee and goalkeeper Sapiano had to charge out of position to block Rustemi.

On 66 minutes Rabat sealed the issue with a third goal. Smeir passed towards Rustemi whose shot was deflected by Matthew Borg past his own goalkeeper. Rabat were now in full command with Melita desperate to get back in the match. Terpougoff was unlucky when his effort hit the crossbar, but on the other hand Rabat missed some easy chances to score further goals.

In the dying minutes of the match Melita were reduced to ten men when Luke Sammut was sent off for a late tackle on Rustemi.

Rabat A S. Mintoff, N. Caruana, C. Schembri, J. Cornforth, J. Caruana, A. Smeir, A. Rustemi, D. Falzon, C. Muscat, Y. Cauchi (W. Borg), R. Micallef (J. Felice).

Melita M. Sapiano, T. Terpougoff (L. Sammut), M. Cachia (D. Gravino), M. Martin, M. Borg, K. Micallef, J. Galea, M. Valencia, L. Micallef, K. Vella Petroni, J. Vukanic.

Referee Glenn Tonna