Sta Venera, Melita set up final clash

Naxxar Lions 0
Sta Venera 2

Two goals from Mark Grech helped Sta Venera Lightnings earn their third win over Naxxar Lions this season as well as progress to the Division II/III KO final.

The Lions had their chances during the match but were denied by some fine saves from Sta Venera goalkeeper John Agius.

Sta Venera dictated matters in the early stages and after five minutes, a shot by Nathan Caruana was saved by Bjorn Attard. Then, Naxxar defender Junior Sank blocked a dangerous shot by Grech and in the 10th minute, an attempt by Andre Cachia was saved by Attard.

On 20 minutes, Naxxar's Ryan Sammut broke on the counter but he was dispossessed by Agius. A minute later Mark Deguara wasted a clear opportunity for the Lions.

Ten minutes from half-time, a first-time shot by Naxxar striker Andy Bartolo finished just wide and on another occasion, a header by Deguara was saved by Agius.

After going close with a Stefan Farrugia free-kick, the Lightnings struck 10 minutes into the second half when Grech tapped the ball home after the Naxxar keeper had partially saved a strong shot from Antoine Galea.

On 62 minutes, Farrugia missed a golden chance to double Sta Venera's lead with the Lions coming close to an equaliser through a Sammut volley that was stopped by the alert Agius.

Grech hit a post late in the second half but the same player sealed Sta Venera's win after finishing off a good move by Galea.

Naxxar: B. Attard, K. Fenech (A. Catania), J. Sank, J. Agius, J. Mercieca, R. Sammut, A. Fenech, M. Coleiro (A. Bajada), A. Bartolo, C. Farrugia, M. Deguara.

Sta Venera: J. Agius, A. Cachia, A. Galea, M. Muscat, Y.M. Law, G. Micallef, S. Farrugia, M. Grech, A. Ellul (L. Farrugia), D. Zuccaro, N. Caruana (R. Carbonaro).

Referee: Juergen Spiteri.

Melita 2
Balzan Youths 0

Melita stayed on course to retain the KO title after beating Division Two leaders Balzan Youths with two second-half goals.

Balzan played the entire second half with 10 men after player-coach Ivan Zammit was sent off just before half-time.

The first half was a balanced affair with Melita threatening to forge ahead through Julian Galea.

At the other end, Alistair Camilleri spurned a clear opportunity for Balzan and in the 21st minute, Melita goalkeeper Matthew Sapiano brought off a fine save to deny Clayton Caruana.

A minute past the half hour, the Amateurs should have taken the lead when a through-pass by Galea found Kane Micallef unmarked but the latter fired wide. Two minutes before the end of the first half, Balzan suffered a blow when veteran Zammit was shown a straight red card for a foul on Galea.

Seven minutes into the second half, Trevor Thomas almost put Balzan ahead but it was Melita who opened the scoring on 62 minutes, Matthew Borg I heading Galea's centre into the net.

Balzan's reaction produced two attempts by Aaron Agius with Melita being denied a second goal by Bonello from a shot by Borg I.

Later in the match the crossbar thwarted Melita schemer Michael Martin and despite Balzan's frantic efforts, it was Melita who almost doubled their lead but an effort by Galea was stopped by Bonello.

On the stroke of time, Melita applied the killer touch when Galea made it 2-0.

After the final whistle, some players confronted each other as skirmishes broke out on the field of play.

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

Balzan: B. Bonello, C. Micallef, D. Agius, B. Bondin, C. Sciberras, J. Francica, I. Zammit, A. Camilleri, T. Thomas (A. Agius), C. Caruana (K. Coleiro), A. Lagana (L. Stivala).

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.