St Patrick force relegation decider against Pietà

Melita 0
St Patrick 2

After looking all but doomed to relegation, St Patrick have resurrected their hopes of keeping their Division One status.

St Patrick made the most of Pietà's defeat to Mosta in yesterday's opening game by beating Melita 2-0 to force a relegation decider against the Hotspurs. The Saints and Pietà finished on 17 points, six above bottom side San Ġwann.

Inspired by in-form Serbian striker Daniel Milovanovic, St Patrick produced one of their best performances this season yesterday but they had to fight hard to overcome the challenge of Melita in an entertaining match.

Melita started the game in lively mode but it was the Saints who threatened first after 12 minutes. Alex Ellul made a good run before setting up Yanis Tonna who drove high and wide from a good position.

The Saints were unlucky midway into the first half when Milovanovic dribbled past a posse of players but his final drive hit the foot of a post.

Milovanovic went close again nine minutes from half-time but his drive was saved by Karl Zahra, the Melita goalkeeper. Four minutes later, it was Milovanovic again who crossed for Tonna but the latter was denied by Zahra.

Two minutes before the break, Melita could have taken the lead when, from another counter-attack, Matthew Borg was foiled by Sean Mintoff, the St Patrick goalkeeper.

Melita drove forward in the latter stages of the first half and Mintoff was forced into a spectacular save to stop Simon Galea's effort.

Five minutes into the second half, St Patrick forged ahead when Milovanovic hit a scorcher from just outside the box that gave Zahra no chance.

The Saints doubled their lead two minutes past the hour thanks to a lucky goal. The Melita custodian rushed out of his goal to make a clearance but the ball hit Gordon Failla and fell to Milovanovic who scored with an easy tap-in.

With Melita looking down and out, the Saints could have increased their advantage. A dangerous header from Failla was blocked by Zahra. In the dying moments, Melita pushed more men forward but St Patrick held out for a vital win in their fight to avoid the drop.

Melita: K. Zahra, D. Gravino, M. Cachia, M. Martin, M. Borg, J. Galea, J. Mifsud, L. Fenech, L. Micallef, N. Rizzo (A. Muscat), S. Galea (N. Baldacchino).

St Patrick: S. Mintoff, M. Fleri Soler, R. Mifsud (R. Cassar), M. Pullicino, S. Zerafa, G. Failla, Y. Tonna (B. Bugeja), A. Ellul (D. Pace), D. Milovanovic, S. Dimech, D. Gauci.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Man of the match: Daniel Milovanovic (St Patrick).