Balzan, Gozo and Mellieħa keep up the pace at the top

Lija Athletic 0
Melita 2

Martin Gregory enjoyed a happy debut as coach of Melita FC after the latter beat Lija Athletic 2-0. The Amateurs were the better team for long stretches with Lija, who had come into this match unbeaten, failing to find the net despite making a late reaction.

Melita made the early running and after Kane Micallef's volley hit the bar, they took the lead. It was George Gribbon who put the Amateurs ahead when heading in a Micallef free-kick.

Lija's rally produced efforts from Chris Pace and Lydon Cilia that were saved by goalkeeper Matthew Sapiano.

On the restart, Lija threatened again through Martin Camilleri and Beppe Antignolo, while at the other end, Ives Bilocca's free-kick was blocked by Bonnici.

Lija kept pushing forward and substitute Glen Barry came close on two occasions.

However, it was Melita who sealed their win when Luke Fenech finished off a fine personal move.

Lija: L. Bonnici, R. Farrugia, M. Mangion, M. Camilleri, D. Scerri, D. Cremona (I. Tarik), M. Borg, L. Cilia (G. Barry), C. Pace (A. Spiteri), A. Scicluna, B. Antignolo.

Melita: M. Sapiano, D. Gravino, J. Mifsud, G. Gribbon, I. Bilocca, A. Caruana Scicluna, M. Martin, L. Micallef (N. Zammit), J. Galea, K. Micallef, M. Borg I (L. Fenech).

Referee: G. Tonna.

Mellieħa 1
Marsa 0

Mellieħa gained their third win of the season after defeating bottom side Marsa 1-0. Marsa are still in search of their first points after losing all four matches played so far.

The decisive goal for Mellieħa, who are unbeaten after four matches, came after just eight minutes when Gotthard Conti's shot cannoned against the upright and William Borg pounced to fire home the rebound.

Marsa almost drew level on 12 minutes but Edmond Thornton's header hit the bar.

Mellieħa responded with dangerous efforts by David Fenech and Wayne Borg St John but just before the break, Marsa twice threatened to score an equaliser through George Cutajar and Thornton.

After the change of ends, Marsa stepped up a gear but lacked incisiveness in front of goal. It was Mellieħa who almost struck again when, after a quick break, Borg St John and Vella just missed the target.

Marsa's only real attempt at goal arrived late on when Kevin Scerri's long-range effort finished over.

Mellieħa: S. Gauci, W. Borg, P. Camilleri, K. Gauci, D. Fenech, W. Borg St John (P. Vella), R. Vella, G. Conti (J. Gauci), M. Borg, K. Cassar, L. Cauchi.

Marsa: R. Spiteri, C. Camilleri (A. Galea), J. Rizzo, K. Scerri, S. Cutajar, A. Spiteri, J. Dalli (O. Zammit), S. Farrugia, G. Cutajar, J.P. Zammit (D. Gatt), E. Thornton.

Referee: Karl Frendo Cumbo.

Żebbuġ Rangers 0
Balzan Youths 2

Balzan Youths struck twice in the second half to overcome the stiff resistance of Żebbuġ Rangers. Balzan are now sole leaders in the division, two points ahead of Gozo while Żebbuġ have suffered their first defeat.

The first period was dominated by Balzan but efforts from Chris Abela, Aaron Agius and Ivan Zammit finished wide.

Midway through the half, Bjorn Bondin almost committed an own goal after a poor backpass and from the resultant corner, taken by Keith Farrugia, it was the Balzan midfielder who cleared the ball off the line.

Just before the break, the Rangers' keeper brought off a fine save to deny Agius.

Balzan kept up the pressure after the break. On 62 minutes David Agius's low shot hit the upright while eight minutes later, Żebbuġ had Errol Cachia sent off for protests.

With 13 minutes remaining, Balzan's pressure paid off when they were awarded a penalty after Marlon Vella handled the ball in the area. Agius made no mistake from the spot.

Four minutes later, it was Agius who wrapped up Balzan's fourth win in five matches when he fired home Zammit's throughball.

Żebbuġ: D. Galea, G. Saliba, K. Farrugia, B. Galea, G. Mallia, E. Cachia, D. Gatt (R. Micallef), C. Tabone, M. Vella, J. Galea (R. Attard), J. Cilia.

Balzan: J. Galea, L. Stivala, D. Agius, B. Bondin, J. Francica, A. Agius (A. Camilleri) C. Abela (C. Sciberras), Iv. Zammit (Is. Zammit), A. Lagana, J. Agius, C. Micallef.

Referee: Juergen Spiteri.

Mġarr United 0
Gozo FC 3

Gozo FC maintained their unbeaten start in the league when recording their third win in five matches to stay second, just two points behind leaders Balzan.

The Gozitans dictated the run of play during the first half but it was Mġarr who created the first scoring opportunity after five minutes. Simon Mizzi's free-kick was partially saved by Grima, the ball broke to Julian Camilleri who blasted his shot over the bar.

Gozo replied through an Anthony Portelli header that just missed the target and a Brian Meilaq free-kick that was saved by Kevin Ellul.

On 27 minutes, the Gozitans opened the scoring through Charles Hili.

Mġarr came back strongly and Grima somehow kept out Matthew Muscat's point-blank shot.

After the change of ends, Mġarr went straight on the attack and after only eight minutes, they hit a post through a Neil Busuttil corner-kick. Grima then denied the Greens from attempts by Matthew Muscat and Busuttil.

Mġarr's confidence all but evaporated when Gozo increased their lead 18 minutes from time. Joseph Portelli headed the ball home from a John Camilleri corner.

Two minutes from time, the Gozitans hit their third goal through Joe Portelli after some fine work from Johan Attard.

Mġarr: K. Ellul, C. Muscat (G. Said), C. Bugeja, W. Camilleri, C. Gauci, A. Muscat, M. Muscat, A. Portelli (S. Aquilina), S. Mizzi, J. Camilleri (D. Muscat), N. Busuttil.

Gozo: J. Grima, J. Buttigieg, B. Meilaq, J. Portelli, C. Mercieca, C. Hili (J. Cefai), P.P. Buttigieg, A. Portelli (S. Bajada), R. Buttigieg (J. Attard), J.M. Portelli, J. Camilleri.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.