Melita fightback stuns Spartans

Melita came from two goals down to see off Hamrun Spartans 5-3 in their final league match of the season.

It was the Spartans who looked in control when they surged into a two-goal lead.Hamrun took the lead on 19 minutes when Giacomo Favero received possession on the edge of the area and let fly a powerful low drive that rolled past goalkeeper Andrew Abela.

Favero struck again on the stroke of half-time when in a quick raid the Italian midfielder was put through by Emiliano Lattes and easily beat the onrushing Abela.But Melita burst into life after the break.

The Amateurs were awarded a free-kick on the left channel and Luke Sammut delivered a teasing cross into the path of Jean Pierre Attard who headed past Andrea Cassar.

Melita were suddenly in it and on 67 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Julian Galea was brought down in the area by Massimo Grima and from the resultant penalty Michael Valenzia drilled the ball past Cassar.

The match tunred on its head and Melita were awarded a second penalty on 71 minutes when Cassar was adjudged to have brought down Luke Micallef inside the area with Irish referee Paul McLoughlin pointing to the spot and dismissing the Hamrun custodian.Anthony Curmi was quickly brought in with Ayrton Micallef making way.

This time it was Manuel Sierra Camacho to take the penalty and the Spaniard beat Curmi despite the latter touching the ball on its way into the net.Hamrun drew level nine minutes from time when Melita goalkeeper Abela was judged to have blocked illegally Lattes run inside the area and Grima made no mistake from the resultant penalty.

However it was Melita who had the final say as four minutes from time Julian Galea profited from some hesitant defending from the Spartans to burst clear and lob the ball over Curmi.There was still time for Melita to hit their fifth goal when in a swift raid Micallef released Galea who beat Curmi to cap a fine comeback for the Amateurs.

Melita striker Julian Galea was voted as the BOV Player of the match.