Late Coleiro goal floors Gozo FC at home

Gozo FC 0
Balzan Youths 1

Balzan strengthened their grip on the top placing of the standings after edging past Gozo FC last weekend. This was the first defeat for the Gozitans who played below par at the Gozo Stadium.

Balzan were awarded a penalty after only eight minutes when Gozo defender Charles Mercieca handled the ball in his box but from the spot-kick Aaron Agius saw his shot parried by Jonathan Xuereb.

Play was balanced with Luke Stivala and Aaron Agius going close for the visitors but their efforts were stopped by the Gozitan keeper.

Balzan held the upperhand after the break and had shots by Anthony Lagana and Jerryton Agius that failed to hit the target.

Gozo's best scoring opportunity arrived in the 66th minute with an angled shot by Joseph Portelli that ended over.

Balzan struck the winner six minutes from time when substitute Kurt Coleiro found space before placing the ball past Xuereb.

In time added on Coleiro almost made it 2-0 but his shot hit the bar.

Gozo FC: J. Xuereb, J. Buttigieg, J. Cefai (O. Farrugia), C. Mercieca, B. Meilaq, C. Hili (J. Attard), P.P. Buttigieg, J. Camilleri, A. Portelli (R. Buttigieg), J. Portelli, J.M. Portelli.

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

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Lija Athletic 0
Żebbuġ Rangers 2

Żebbuġ chalked up their second win of the season at the expense of Lija.

Three players were sent off during the match with the main protagonist being Rangers keeper Martin Pace who made a string of fine saves, including a penalty.

Żebbuġ took the lead on 18 minutes through Keith Farrugia. Lija hit back strongly and had efforts from Chris Pace and Beppe Antignolo finishing just wide while Pace parried away efforts from Glen Barry and Lydon Cilia. At the other end, James Galea saw his header hit the upright.

Just two minutes into the second half Lija were awarded a penalty for a foul on Martin Camilleri but Chris Pace's shot from the spot was stopped by Pace.

Barry headed just over a cross by Camilleri and on 75 minutes Żebbuġ had Keith Farrugia dismissed for a second bookable offence. Seven minutes later Farrugia's team-mate Lawrence Vella and Lija's Antignolo suffered the same fate after an off-the-ball incident.

Still, a minute from time nine-man Rangers sealed the issue following an excellent volley by substitute George Saliba.

Lija: L. Bonnici, M. Mangion, M. Camilleri (R. Farrugia), D. Scerri, M. Borg (I. Tarek), G. Barry, L. Cilia, J.P. Scerri, C. Pace, C. Ciantar, B. Antignolo.

Żebbuġ: M. Pace, D. Gatt (G. Saliba), K. Farrugia, B. Galea, G. Mallia, C. Tabone, M. Vella (T. Farrugia), J. Galea (O. Rhababh), L. Vella, J. Cilia, R. Attard.

Referee: Andrea Sciriha.

Mellieħa 0
Sta Venera 0

Mellieħa dominated this match but failed to find a way through as Patrick Zammit had a positive debut as coach of Sta Venera Lightnings even though the team is still languishing in the red zone.

The northerners took control from early on and Wayne Borg St John was denied by the Sta Venera keeper on 13 minutes. Kevin Cassar's shot was blocked while a Reuben Vella free-kick ended just over the bar.

On 32 minutes, Sta Venera almost took a surprise lead but Jeffrey Zammit's header hit the woodwork.

Two minutes after the restart, Sta Venera striker Ian Falzon was denied by Simon Gauci but Mellieħa regained the initiative and on 70 minutes a shot by David Fenech was cleared off the line.

Gauci distinguished himself with an excellent save off Zammit's shot and late on it was Vella who again forced Mercieca into a diving save.

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

Sta Venera: J. Mercieca, A. Cachia, A. Galea (C. Abela), M. Muscat, Y.M. Law, G. Micallef, A. Hili, I. Falzon (M. Grech), S. Farrugia, J. Zammit, A. Ellul (M. Briffa).

Referee: Sammy Attard.

St Andrew's 1
Melita 1

This derby ended in a draw with the Saints preserving their unbeaten record, after drawing their opening six matches.

Inside the opening minute Melita almost scored but Julian Galea headed just wide from a Matthew Borg I cross. At the other end, an Alex Busuttil free-kick just missed the target.

St Andrews took the lead on 34 minutes when Matthew Calascione drilled the ball home from a free-kick.

The Amateurs increased the pressure during the second half and on 59 minutes a shot by Matthew Borg I was cleared off the line by Busuttil.

Melita finally drew level on 70 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Frederick Tabone on Matthew Borg II. Matthew Borg I made no mistake from the spot.

Melita could have snatched all points late on but Kane Micallef missed the target from a good position.

St Andrew's: F. Tabone, N. Chetcuti, B. Diacono, J. Briscoe White, S. Falzon, A. Camilleri Kamsky, N. Vella Petroni, M. Valenzia (G. Fenech), M. Calascione, A. Busuttil (E. Hili), M. Grima.

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

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Marsa 0
Mġarr United 3

This was Mġarr's best showing of the season as they emerged worthy winners against bottom team Marsa thanks to goals by Josef Micallef, Matthew Muscat and Paul Fenech. Marsa were never in the match and they need to improve if they want to avoid relegation.

Mġarr were the better side throughout the first half and after four minutes a point-blank shot by Steve Aquilina was saved by Roderick Spiteri.

Marsa were denied by Luca Grech off an Adam Spiteri dipper but in the 19th minute Micallef put Mġarr in front following a good move by Muscat.

Another goal by Micallef was disallowed for offside and just before the change of ends Mġarr were unlucky when a Muscat free-kick hit the crossbar.

Mġarr continued to dominate proceedings after the break and doubled their lead on 52 minutes when Muscat concluded some fine work by Malcolm Bugeja.

Marsa were down and out and Mġarr increased further their lead on 79 minutes thanks to substitute Fenech whose shot finished in the top corner of the net for a comfortable 3-0 final result.

Marsa: R. Spiteri, C. Camilleri, B. Demicoli (S. Cutajar), J. Rizzo, A. Galea, K. Scerri, J. Dalli, G. Cutajar (O. Zammit), A. Spiteri, W. Spiteri (C. Cioffi), S. Farrugia.

Mġarr: L. Grech, A. Portelli, N. Busuttil, C. Bugeja, W. Camilleri, C. Gauci, D. Muscat (K. Vella), S. Camilleri, M. Muscat, J. Micallef (M. Bugeja), S. Aquilina (P. Fenech).

Referee: Mitchell Scerri.