Useful victory for Mellieha in fight against the drop

St George's 1
Mellieha 2

Mellieha moved off the bottom place after chalking up their third win of the season. They beat St George's by the odd goal in three in a tense match during which Sandro Costa Brasilino played a key role in midfield for Ilir Pelinku's side.

Mellieha were the better side in the opening half but on resumption the side from Cottonera improved only to be caught at the back by the swift Mellieha breaks, mainly initiated by either Costa Brasilino or Ibrahim Tarek.

After seven minutes, Glenn Barry dashed inside the Mellieha box, squared the ball for Meade Mifsud who let off a flyer that Simon Gauci did well to turn for a corner.

Mellieha hit back soon after but Costa Brasilino missed a glorious chance after he was put through by Tarek.

On 23 minutes a Clayton Caruana drive from the distance hit the upright with the Mellieha keeper beaten. At the other end, Tarek floated a ball into the St George's area but Reuben Vella's ensuing shot was saved by Andrea Gatt.

Mellieha took the lead nine minutes from half-time.

The Saints stopped for offside as Gianluca Calabretta advanced into the opponents' half before lifting the roof of the net with a powerful shot.

On 40 minutes Barry was released by Luca Desira Buttigieg but shot wide from close range. A minute later the northerners doubled their lead when Vella hit a scorcher home from around 20 metres out. His first-time effort was unstoppable and gave Gatt no chance.

St George's could have easily reduced the arrears early in the second half when Mifsud found Peter Anizoba unmarked, the Nigerian lobbed the ball over the Mellieha keeper but Martin Camilleri was fast enough to save his fort.

On 73 minutes Calabretta could have made the game safe for Mellieha following a perfect Tarek pass. However, Calabretta hesitated and Jesmond Delia raced back to avert danger.

On 77 minutes it was Mellieha again who could have scored. Calabretta, unmarked, again failed to deliver from a favourable position and from the rebound Vella's drive never reached the desired target.

Six minutes from time St George's pulled one back. Barry chipped a teasing ball in the box, Anizoba rose high and headed the ball past Gauci despite being impeded by two defenders.

Deep into stoppage time Caruana's drive following a Mifsud corner almost clinched a point for the Saints but the ball rolled just wide.

St George's: A. Gatt, C. Grech (G. Tanti), A. Bonello, J. Delia, H. Schembri, V. Camilleri (E. Amaira), G. Barry, P. Anizoba, M. Mifsud, C. Caruana, L. Desira Buttigieg (L. Agius).

Mellieha: S. Gauci, M. Abela, P. Camilleri, M. Camilleri, H. Vella, L. Cauchi, K. Gauci, R. Vella, S. Costa Brasilino, I. Tarek (D. Vella), G. Calabretta (P. Vella).

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Man of the match: Sandro Costa Brasilino (Mellieha).