Zahra defiant as Melita stun Stars

Vittoriosa Stars 0
Melita 1

Melita continued to distance themselves from the troubled zone after beating promotion-seekers Vittoriosa Stars 1-0 at the Tedesco Stadium, yesterday.

The goal that settled the issue came from a second-half penalty scored by George Gribbon after a foul by defender Jonathan Xerri who was sent off.

Winston Muscat's Stars have now lost two games in succession after they were beaten by rivals St George's last week. For their part, Melita chalked up their second victory on the trot after upsetting other promotion hopefuls Balzan Youths in their previous match.

Once again, it was keeper Karl Zahra who contributed richly to Melita's precious victory.

The opening half was a drab affair. Both sides opted for a cautious game, waiting for each other to make the first move.

Melita had an Ives Bilocca shot which nearly deceived the Stars keeper and Vittoriosa's pick was a Beppe Muscat effort from just outside the area that sailed over the crossbar.

Melita had a good opportunity to forge ahead on 34 minutes when Nicolò Baldacchino shot goalwards from a Julian Galea ball but the strike was blocked by Brandon Bonnici. Then, five minutes before half-time, Vittoriosa created four ideal openings to score but found Zahra in their way on each occasion.

The Melita no.1 did well to keep out Muscat's effort and Joseph Chetcuti was also denied by the Amateurs' keeper after a measured Muscat pass. From a corner, Gary Inguanez's firm header was stopped by Zahra and just before the break, the latter was at it again to neutralise Muscat's menacing shot.

Jonathan Mifsud tried his luck for Melita a few minutes from the restart but keeper Henry Bonello was on the right spot to save.

Melita were awarded a penalty on 57 minutes when Xerri brought down Baldacchino in the box. The Vittoriosa player got a red card and Gribbon tucked away the penalty.

The Stars were stunned but regrouped and on 67 minutes a Clayton Micallef drive from 25 metres out was saved by Zahra. A few minutes later, a Henry Makinwa header beat Zahra but Matthew Borg cleared from over the line.

Melita did well to administer the remaining minutes of the match as Vittoriosa lost their cool and also had coach Muscat sent off.

Vittoriosa: H. Bonello, P. Aquilina, J. Xerri, B. Bonnici, J. Chetcuti, P. Camilleri (L. Chitescu), G. Inguanez, C. Micallef, B. Muscat, J. Chetcuti, H. Makinwa.

Melita: K. Zahra, S. Bonnici, G. Gribbon, D. Gravino, M. Martin, M. Borg (N. Zammit), N. Baldacchino (S. Galea), J. Galea, J. Mifsud, L. Micallef (A.C. Scicluna), I. Bilocca.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Man of the match: Karl Zahra (Melita).

St George's join promotion race

San Ġwann 1
St George's 2

For the second consecutive season St George's have done the double over troubled San Ġwann. But this win carried more significance for the Saints, now very much involved in the race for promotion. Vittoriosa's defeat to Melita and their win yesterday meant St George's are now in third place.

Following an uneventful first half, where the only decent action was a stunning goal from Glenn Bonello, the Saints looked more determined after the break and could have also won by a wider margin.

St George's took the lead on 25 minutes when Bonello fired home an unstoppable shot from an acute angle following a Silvio Sciberras delivery inside the opponents' half from the right flank. Bonello's shot flew into the net, leaving keeper Justin Spiteri helpless.

St George's were always in command but apart from Bonello's goal they never tested the San Ġwann keeper again. Joe Brincat's team were non-existent until the break.

St George's started the second half on the offensive and looking to score a second goal. A Bonello shot from the edge of the area finished just over the bar on 51 minutes.

The team from Cottonera continued to attack and it was the San Ġwann keeper who kept his team in it when he dived at the feet of Anthony Ewurum. Two minutes later it was Nathan Caruana who powered his way into the San Ġwann box but shot weakly from close in.

San Ġwann ventured forward on 63 minutes when a Lee Cumbo free-kick was turned to a corner by keeper Thomas Galea. However, three minutes later St George's broke free on the counter and Ewurum slid the ball past keeper Spiteri to make it 2-0.

San Ġwann pulled a goal back on 76 minutes when Alan Borg was the provider for Clint Gatt who scored from close distance. Surprisingly, Gatt was substituted after his goal.

Four minutes from time, San Ġwann almost scored a dramatic equaliser when Benoir Fenech mishit his clearance with the ball bouncing off the upright. Then, deep into stoppage time St George's had Chris Grech sent off for dissent.

San Ġwann: J. Spiteri, R. Sammut, L. Cumbo, M. Caruana, M. Francica (D. Micallef) A. Borg, C. Cuschieri, F. Aboulezz, R. Sell, C. Gatt (N. Curmi) L. Bonett (Q. Bregman).

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

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Silvio Sciberras (St George's).