Marsaxlokk off to a strong start
Marsaxlokk 4Melita 1 Marsaxlokk kicked off their BOV Division One campaign in style when they eased past a Melita side who at times played at par with their more-quoted opponents. The southerners looked the more polished outfit but the difference...
Marsaxlokk 4
Melita 1
Marsaxlokk kicked off their BOV Division One campaign in style when they eased past a Melita side who at times played at par with their more-quoted opponents.
The southerners looked the more polished outfit but the difference between the two sides was experience. Despite the defeat, Melita's youngsters should improve as they are a good footballing side.
Marsaxlokk had Peter Pullicino and Roderick Bajada in fine form while for Melita defender George Gribbon and striker Julian Galea were a class above the rest.
Before the match a minute silence was observed for former Malta striker Charles Cassar who passed away on Wednesday. Cassar, was a prolific striker who started his football days with Marsaxlokk and then moved on to Hibernians.
Marsaxlokk, enjoyed the better share of possession, trying to open up the Melita defence from the flanks through the incursions of Martin Deanov and Pullicino with the Amateurs showing good defensive organisation.
After seven minutes a Roderick Bajada drive from outside the area finished over the crossbar.
But on 15 minutes it was Melita who struck first when Julian Galea latched on to a split defensive pass by Kane Micallef to strike the ball home. Marsaxlokk reacted immediately and equalised on 29 minutes, Bajada heading the ball home after a good cross by Pullicino.
Marsaxlokk continued to pile up the pressure and on 40 minutes were unlucky when a good link-up play between Maksims Danilov and Bajada finished with the latter hitting the foot of the post from just inside the area.
On 52 minutes Melita missed a sitter when Galea stole a ball in the Marsaxlokk area, served Micallef who with only the goalkeeper to beat drove the ball wide.
The Amateurs were made to pay for this miss as a minute later Marsaxlokk forged ahead when Danilov was in the right place to slot the ball home following a Bajada pass.
On the hour Marsaxlokk made the game safe when Pullicino zig-zagged into the Melita box and shot home following a Deanov cross.
Melita tried to push more men forward and as a result Deanov found acres of space on the left.
In fact it was no surprise when Marsaxlokk scored a fourth. This came on 83 minutes when Bajada flicked the ball home following a Deanov cross from the left.
Marsaxlokk: G. Zammit; W. Camenzuli (G. Caruana), C. Mamo C. Brincat, E. Yantchev, P. Pullicino, F. Raimy, R. Bajada, M. Deanov (M. Caruana), T. Templeman, M. Danilov (D. Kokavessis)
Melita: M. Sapiano, S. Bonnici, M. Mamo, G. Gribbon, M. Martin (N. Baldacchino Orland), K. Micallef, N. Rizzo, J. Galea, J. Mifsud, L. Fenech, L. Micallef (I. Bilocca)
Referee: Mario Apap
Man of the Match: Roderick Bajada (Marsaxlokk)