Dalli goal decides

St George's 1
Melita 0

This was an important win for St George's who have distanced themselves from a congested drop zone but, surely, merit goes to their goalkeeper Thomas Galea who produced a series of fine saves to deny Melita a deserved equaliser.

The first half was a pulsating affair with both sides playing open football. St George's were almost on the mark after seven minutes when Anthony Ewurun sped through, rounded keeper Karl Zahra but hit into the side-netting.

Melita responded with a Luke Micallef shot that was stopped in style by Galea.

George Gribbon's timely tackle prevented Josef Dalli from opening the score for the Saints and soon after, Joey Falzon's side again came close but Gordon Mallia's volley from a corner flashed wide.

Micallef was again denied by Galea and, at the other end, an Ives Bilocca lob smacked against the bar.

But a goal was in the offing and it came on the brink of half-time. Dalli beat his marker and coolly slid the ball past Zahra to put St George's in front.

Melita had the first attempt at goal of the second half but Julian Galea's shot from outside the box went off target. Galea then centred into the Saints area but Nicolo Baldacchino shot high from a good position.

On 68 minutes veteran midfielder Silvio Sciberras was close to making it 2-0 seconds after coming on as a substitute but his free-kick fell a whisker away from goal.

Melita upped their game in the final 15 minutes but the Saints held tight. On one occasion, Luke Sammut failed to make contact following an inviting Bilocca delivery and soon after Jonathan Mifsud headed wide from a corner. Steve Bonnici shot straight at the Saints keeper from two metres out.

Galea dribbled past two St George's defenders but miscued his final shot. The Saints keeper again came to his team's rescue four minutes from time to parry a Bilocca shot.

Deep into stoppage time Galea was on the right spot to palm away Bilocca's free-kick and from the corner, taken by Simon Galea, the woodwork denied the luckless Melita.

St George's: T. Galea, E. Sevasta, N. Caruana (S. Sciberras), A. Ewurun (J. Bugeja), C. Grech, E. Amaira, B. Fenech, J. Dalli, G. Mallia, G. Bonello (C. Ciappara), A. Bonello.

Melita: K. Zahra, S. Bonnici, G. Gribbon, D. Gravino, M. Martin, M. Borg (L. Sammut), N. Rizzo (J. Mifsud), N. Baldacchino Orland, J. Galea, L. Micallef (S. Galea), I. Bilocca.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

Man of the match: Thomas Galea (St George's).

Playing today

Tedesco Stadium: 19.00 Vittoriosa vs Marsaxlokk.