Rabat's hopes look doomed after Melita defeat

Melita 3
Rabat Ajax 1

Melita played an excellent match as they came out worthy winners against a very disappointing Rabat Ajax who have now relinquished their promotion hopes. The Amateurs, on their part, are almost sure of playing Division Two football next season.

After only nine minutes Matthew Borg I provided a perfect pass to unmarked Melita team-mate Mark Hyzler who shot straight into the Rabat keeper. The latter was in action again two minutes later as he saved a shot by Mark Stivala.

Adam Smeir almost broke the deadlock for Rabat and on another occasion a Jonathan Bezzina free-kick was saved by Sapiano. In the closing stages of the first half, Rabat were denied by the Melita keeper off a Kane Micallef header.

The Amateurs showed better ideas after the break and took the lead in the 56th minute through Hyzler following a good move initiated by Borg I.

Three minutes later Melita were awarded a penalty for a foul by Chris Schembri on Borg who scored from the spot. Borg I was on target again on 66 minutes to kill off Rabat's hopes.

Eight minutes from time Gwyn Vassallo pulled a goal back for the subdued Magpies.

Melita: M. Sapiano, M. Borg II, M. Stivala, D. Gravino, S. Bonnici, M. Martin, M. Hyzler, J. Galea, G. Gribbon, K. Micallef (J. Vassallo), M. Borg I.

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, A. Zahra, J. Bezzina, J. Tonna, C. Schembri (D. Galea), D. Falzon, A. Borg, E. Muscat, K. Said, K. Micallef, A. Smeir (G. Vassallo).

Referee: Glen Tonna.

St Andrew's 2
Sta Venera Lightnings 1

St Andrew's continued to gain ground following this victory over Sta Venera who had to play for most of the match with ten players after having goalkeeper Duane Carabott sent off midway through the first half.

On 23 minutes, St Andrews were awarded a penalty for a foul by Carabott on Michael Calleja with the keeper receiving a red card.

Reserve keeper Sandro Rapinett was beaten from the spot by Frederick Tabone, the St Andrew's custodian.

Just before the break St Andrew's were again close following a Junior Sank free-kick but on 67 minutes Jonathan Briscoe White increased their lead with an exquisite lob.

Sta Venera fought hard despite the numerical handicap and reduced the arrears eight minutes from time when Glenn Micallef hit home from a corner. Micallef was again close for Sta Venera but his effort flashed just wide three minutes from time.

St Andrew's: F. Tabone, N. Chetcuti, N. Gatt Coleiro, S. Falzon, J. Sank, P. Briscoe White (S. Sammut), N. Micallef (A. Galea), I. Borg, E. Hili (R. Fenech), J. Briscoe White, M. Calleja.

Sta Venera: D. Carabott, L. Stivala (A. Hili), D. Azzopardi, R. Farrugia (S. Said), M. Muscat, Y.M. Law, G. Micallef, C. Garzia, I. Falzon (S. Rapinett), D. Mercieca, M. Grech.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Zebbug Rangers 0
Balzan Youths 0

This was a priceless point for relegation-threatened Zebbug Rangers against a side fighting for promotion. Balzan Youths' hopes took a setback as they now trail runners-up Mellieha by four points.

Zebbug had Mark Ciantar and Gordon Mallia going close with Sergio Cappitta and Jerryton Agius hitting back for Balzan in the first half.

The Youths outplayed Rangers after the change of ends with Malcolm Tirchett threatening on various occasions but failing to find the opponents' net.

In the 86th minute Balzan could have grabbed the winner but substitute Chris Azzopardi shot wide with an open goal at his mercy.

Balzan had a Matthew Sciortino goal disallowed for offside and in added time Zebbug were denied by Bonello off a point-blank shot by Ciantar.

Zebbug: D. Galea, R. Attard (R. Bonello), K. Farrugia, J. Mallia, K. Xuereb, G. Mallia, J. Felice, R. Bugeja (C. Borg), M. Ciantar, N. Francalanza, E. Sciberras (A. Ciantar).

Balzan: B. Bonello, D. Mamo, D. Agius, S. Cauchi, C. Borg, S. Cappitta, J. Agius (C. Azzopardi), L. McKay, M. Tirchett, M. Monreal (M. Sciortino), A. Agius (S. Mizzi).

Referee: Paul Apap.

Birzebbuga St Peter's 4
Gozo FC 3

Gozo are destined to play in a lower category next season. Bir-zebbuga had a good match but were rather careless at the back and allowed the Gozitans to pull two goals back in the final stages.

Birzebbuga took the lead after seven minutes when Noel Tabone headed in from a Vince Camilleri corner. In the 12th minute Gozo equalised through Joseph Portelli but Aldrin Muscat put the southerners back in front on 28 minutes.

Birzebbuga looked home and dry when Stephen Borg fired goal no.3 just before the break and eight minutes after the restart Michael Ciappara made it 4-1.

However, Gozo reduced the arrears in the 61st minute through Mark Camilleri and they almost completed the recovery when James Buttigieg scored again for the 'visitors' late on... but there was little time for them to save the match.

Birzebbuga: L. Fardell (M. Mangion), D. Baldacchino, R. Farrugia, M. Ciappara (J.P. Barbara), L. Burke, C. Formosa, A. Muscat, N. Tabone, S. Borg, V. Camilleri, P. Muscat (J. Galea).

Gozo: D. Gauci (G. Vella), J. Cefai, J. Azzopardi (J. Buttigieg), A. Said, J. Mercieca (P. Galea), P. Camilleri, S. Farrugia, M. Cutajar, M. Camilleri, D. Cilia, D. Borg.

Referee: Darren Calleja.