Last-gasp Micallef goal sees Melita through

St George’s 1
Melita 2

Melita chalked up their first victory of the season after beating St George’s 2-1 in a tight match.

The Amateurs had veteran striker Michael Galea marking his debut with a goal. He played alongside younger brothers Simon and Julian as Melita showed better qualities for most of the match before hitting a last-minute winner when down with 10 men.

St George’s scored first on 18 minutes, Dylan Zarb breaking free from his marker before planting the ball past keeper Matthew Sapiano.

But Melita scored an equaliser after a period of sustained pressure.

On 35 minutes Luke Sammut was tripped inside the Saints box and from the penalty Michael Galea made it one-all.

St George’s could have taken the lead after the break but Amadeo Mercieca hit badly from a good position. Melita had two attempts by Julian Galea going wide but they were dealt a blow on 80 minutes when Simon Galea was sent off for a second booking.

The Saints, however, did not profit and they were made to pay as a minute from time Luke Micallef hit home Melita’s winner.

St George’s : T. Galea, E. Sevasta, R. Boutahir, G. Inguanez, D. Zarb, H. Schembri, A. Abela, A. Bonello, M.A. Bonnici (D. Zahra), A. Mercieca, C. Grech.

Melita: M. Sapiano, J. Vukanic, M. Sierra Camacho, S. Galea, A. Caruana Scicluna (M. Cachia, K. Vella Petroni), D. Erak (E. Carnago San Pedro), M. Borg, M. Galea, L. Sammut, J. Galea, L. Micallef.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

St Andrew’s 1
Birżebbuġa 0

A Michael Calleja goal midway through the first half was enough for St Andrew’s to beat Birżebbuġa and register their first win in the league.

The seasiders fought bravely but in the end were unable to make it two wins in a row.

St Andrew’s went in for the half-time break leading 1-0 thanks to Calleja’s shot that gave keeper Ivan Casha no chance to save.

The Saints could have added more goals to their tally before the changeover but somehow the efforts from Alinho Concalves never reached the desired target.

With Ronnie Celeste and Mead Mifsud under tight scrutiny, Casha did well to keep his side in the match when stopping the shots from Michael Grima.

Celeste thought he had beaten keeper Daniel Balzan just before half-time but referee Philip Farrugia deemed the ball had not crossed the line.

The southerners were unlucky when a Celeste header hit the upright soon after the restart and substitute Matthew Sciortino also went close again for Birżebbuġa whose valiant efforts ultimately proved in vain.

St Andrew’s : D. Balzan, N. Chetcuti, A. Camilleri Kamsky, T. Lindberg, B. Said, A. Nakuaa, M. Ellul, M. Calleja (R. Previ), W. Camileri (J. Briscoe White), V. Alinho Con-calves, M. Grima (K. Coleiro).

Birżebbuġa: I. Casha, K. Spiteri, M. Pullicino, D. Milovic, F. Schneider, F. Anton (B. Onuta), G. Tanti (F. Peplow), K. Borg, M. Mifsud, R. Celeste, K. Muscat (M. Sciortino).

Referee: Philip Farrugia.