Melita boost promotion hopes

St George’s 1
Melita 2

Melita came from behind to stun promotion hopefuls St George’s and put themselves within touching distance of the teams fighting for a place in the Premier League next season.

St George’s had made a bright start to the match and after five minutes they protested heavily for a penalty when Mark Barbara was challenged from behind by Luca Martinelli in an attempt to clear the ball but the referee saw nothing untoward and waved play on.

On 11 minutes it was the Saints again when Barbara found Gary Inguanez who quickly released Jonathan Ruiz who instead of shooting immediately, tried to control the ball but failed to do so, and his final cross was poor and wide.

The Saints made their pressure count and forged ahead on 15 minutes when Glenn Bonello tapped home a Barbara cross.

Melita should have drawn level on 18 minutes when Luke Micallef drove the ball wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

On 33 minutes Nicolò Baldacchino fired straight into the hands of Galea while two minutes from the the break the St George’s keeper was again at his best to keep out Nigel Rizzo’s shot.

The second half produced fewer scoring opportunities with Melita holding firm control of proceedings.

Melita’s perseverance was finally rewarded on 75 minutes when Matthew Borg slotted the ball home from close in.

Six minutes later Melita completed their comeback when Micallef hit home following another well taken free-kick by Rizzo to avenge their first round defeat by St George’s by the same scoreline.

St George’s: T. Galea; T. Farrugia, B. Fenech, E. Sevasta, M. Milutinovic, L. Agius, D. Zarb, M. Barbara (L. Stivala), G. Inguanez (E. Amaira), G. Bonello, J. Ruiz.

Melita: K. Zahra; R. Alinho (M. Cachia), L. Martinelli, G. Gribbon, M. Borg, N. Rizzo, N. Baldacchino (J. Galea), E. Cornago San Pedro, L. Micallef, M. Fenech, S. Galea (K. Vella Petroni).

Referee: Paul Apap.

Man of the match: Luke Micallef (Melita).