Melita shoot down Swallows

Melita 3
Dingli Swallows 2

Melita took a giant step towards retaining their status for another year after a shock win over leaders Dingli Swallows.

This was Melita's best performance of the season. They seized control from early on and it was no surprise when Mark Hyzler put them ahead on 22 minutes.

Dingli hit back and had efforts by Chris Ciappara and Edwin Casha saved by Melita goalkeeper Carter.

But it was Melita who doubled their lead on 36 minutes when Matthew Borg I pounced on a rebound to score after Farrugia failed to hold Micallef's shot.

The goal hit Dingli hard. They found themselves three goals down eight minutes into the second half when Julian Galea nodded the ball home from close in.

But Dingli scored two quick goals to get back in contention. Ciappara made it 3-1 on 54 minutes and seven minutes later the Dingli forward converted a penalty awarded for a foul on Darren Roe.

Dingli staged a late rally but were denied by Carter's fine handling in goal. Melita almost hit a fourth late on but Borg's shot hit the post.

Melita: M. Carter, M. Mamo, M. Stivala, S. Bonnici, C. Mifsud Bonnici, M. Martin, M. Hyzler, J. Galea, G. Gribbon, K. Micallef, M. Borg I.

Dingli: J. Farrugia, E. Casha, B. Genovese (A. Portelli), F. Cauchi, R. Spiteri, C. Ciappara, R. Farrugia (D. Roe, J. Sapiano), G. Saliba, V. Fiteni, E. Farrugia, J. Agius.

Referee: Sammy Attard.

Rabat Ajax 1
Mellieha 1

This was a match between two teams challenging for promotion. The result threw a lifeline to the other teams chasing second place in the standings with five matches to go.

Rabat threatened early on through Kayne Said and Emanuel Muscat. Their pressure paid off on 18 minutes when Jonathan Bezzina put them ahead with a fine shot.

Mellieha responded with a Kevin Gauci drive that missed the target and just before the interval the Rabat keeper just managed to keep out William Borg's shot.

Mellieha sustained the pressure after the break and finally drew level on 70 minutes, Borg firing home from a David Fenech free-kick.

Rabat almost snatched a dramatic winner late on but Bezzina shot wide from a good position.

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, D. Falzon, J. Bezzina, J. Tonna, J. Caruana, C. Schembri, A. Zahra, E. Muscat, K. Said (D. Galea), K. Micallef (P. Ciantar), A. Smeir.

Mellieha: D. Vella, W. Borg, W. Buttigieg, K. Gauci, D. Fenech (M. Borg), R. Vella, W. Borg St John, I. Tarik, H. Vella, L. Cauchi, D. Cauchi.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Lija Athletic 0
Birzebbuga St Peter's 0

Lija failed to close the gap on the front-runners as they only managed a goalless draw against a Birzeb-buga side who had two players sent off in this match.

Lija dictated the run of play during the first half with Giles Lanzon and Brandon Lowell firing just wide from inside the box.

Four minutes before the break Birzebbuga were reduced to ten men when John Paul Barbara was sent off for backchat.

Lija kept up the pressure after the break and Daniel Cremona's shot flew inches wide and Lanzon's free-kick was saved by Fardell.

A minute from time Birzebbuga midfielder Patrick Muscat was sent off for a second caution.

Lija: L. Bonnici, J. Cauchi, M. Mangion, G. Lanzon, D. Scerri, C. Ciantar, D. Cremona (G. Grech), G. Barry, B. Lowell (A. Ellul), C. Lanzon (J. Felice), B. Antignolo.

Birzebbuga: L. Fardell, K. Farrugia, J.P. Barbara, M. Ciappara, L. Burke, C. Formosa, A. Muscat (J. Cassar), P. Muscat, N. Tabone, V. Camilleri, J. Galea.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Gudja United 2
Balzan Youths 3

Gudja's relegation worries deepened last weekend after they were beaten by Balzan, another side seeking promotion.

The match started well for Gudja. In fact, after only four minutes Stephen Orlando put them ahead from an Elvin Gauci corner.

Balzan responded with a Malcolm Tirchett free-kick that finished just over. On 34 minutes, Brian Testaferrata missed a sitter for Gudja.

Parity was restored two minutes into the second half when Tirchett netted the equaliser. Then, Antoine Sacco headed the ball home from a McKay corner to put Balzan 2-1 up.

Gudja refused to throw in the towel and Gauci made it 2-2 from a penalty on 65 minutes.

It was Balzan who had the final say though, Sacco firing an unstoppable volley ten minutes from time to score a useful winner.

Gudja: M. Xerxen, S. Orlando (C. Schembri), M. Galea, J. Farrugia, J. Bartolo (J. Zahra), B. Testaferrata, C. Scicluna (C. Micallef), C. Grech, E. Bugeja, E. Gauci, T. Vella.

Balzan: B. Bonello, D. Mamo, S. Cauchi, C. Borg, S. Cappitta, L. McKay, J. Agius (A. Agius), M. Sciortino, A. Sacco, M. Tirchett (C. Mifsud), B. Pace.

Referee: Paul Apap.