Melita fly high after Żejtun rout

Melita 5
Żejtun Corinthians 0

Martin Gregory’s Melita took another big step towards winning promotion to the Premier League as they tore 10-man Żejtun apart, yesterday.

The Amateurs did all the damage in the opening half during which they scored all their goals. The second half was a different story as Melita, despite remaining in control, lifted their foot off the pedal, perhaps deciding that five goals were enough for the day.

Luke Micallef took advantage of some lax defending to head in Melita’s opener after nine minutes and then a Manwel Ramon Sierra Camacho scorcher made it two.

It got worse for Żejtun on 22 minutes when they had a man sent off and goals continued to flow before the half-time whistle.

Żejtun, out of promotion contention, were never really in the game with the rampant Melita going top of the standings for at least 24 hours and their mission could be completed today if Pietà fail to beat St Andrews.

The game started with Melita going forward in numbers and Micallef capping a fine flowing move with a finish from a tight angle after Julian Galea did well to send an inviting ball in the direction of his unmarked team-mate.

Melita made it 2-0 five minutes later when Sierra Camacho received a short free-kick from Kane Micallef and blasted the ball home from almost 30 metres out.

To make things worse for Żejtun, Charlò Magro was shown a straight red card after blatantly hitting Simon Galea with an elbow.

There was no stopping Melita now and on the half hour Matthew Borg sprinted clear down the right flank but his effort went inches wide.

Julian Galea made it a first half to remember for Melita on 36 minutes when following a corner, Karl Vella Petroni’s header was partially saved by Ranier Farrugia and from the rebound Galea hammered home.

Three minutes before the break Melita continued to run riot when Kane Micallef hit a first time effort from just inside the box to beat the helpless Ranier Farrugia for his team’s fourth goal.

Then, captain George Gribbon rose well to head a free-kick taken by Kane Micallef to make it 5-0.

The Żejtun fans couldn’t help it. They even lowered a banner they always hang at the stadium with the words “Pride of the South”.

The most ardent supporters in the first division could not contain such a hammering and you couldn’t blame them.

Melita: M. Sapiano, M. Sierra Camacho, G. Gribbon, M. Martin (M. Valenzia), K. Micallef, M. Borg, J. Galea, L. Micallef, K. Vella Petroni (A. Muscat), S. Galea, J. Vukanic (A. Caruana Scicluna).

Żejtun: R. Farrugia, C. Magro, E. Azzopardi, M. Borg, N. Filipov, S. Magro, R. Cauchi (C. Formosa), K. Abela, D. Grech, A. Farrugia (K. Ganchev), G. Delia.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Best player: Luke Micallef (Melita).

Standings