On May 23, 1999, the old Pace Grasso ground relived some of its old glory.

For the first time in several months, a large crowd assembled at the Paola football venue to witness that season’s Third Division decider between Attard FC and Melita.

Melita were seasoned campaigners in this division but for Attard it was the first time in 25 years that they had come so close to winning the championship.

To make the day more interesting, before the big match Sirens and Għargħur were due to meet in another key match to decide which team would seek re-election to the league at the end of the season.

Having beaten Sirens twice in the league, Għargħur were firm favourites to win this encounter. A game of football, however, is only decided when the referee blows his last whistle.

Sirens came out fighting and after a few minutes, David Vella beat the Għargħur goalkeeper from a tight angle.

The game continued at the same rhythm with Sirens enjoying the bulk of the exchanges. Then, seven minutes from half-time, Nathan Copperstone scored to give Sirens a 2-0 lead.

It seemed that the game was as good as over. However, after the break, Għargħur found their feet and Charles Borg reduced the arrears with a well-placed header.

Għargħur continued pressing for the equaliser but in the process they left their backdoor wide open and Jonathan Copperstone scored Sirens’ third goal.

A few minutes later, Ronnie Fenech made it 3-2 but there was no time left for another attack and Għargħur had to suffer the humiliation of finishing bottom of the league.

The afternoon’s main match between Attard and Melita was a thriller.

The first half was balanced with both defences having the upperhand over the attackers. However, midway through the half, Richard Camilleri opened the scoring for Attard.

Melita rallied and three minutes later, they had the ball in the net but the goal was annulled for a foul on goalkeeper Jonathan Cutajar. The Amateurs, however, persisted and five minutes from the break, Andrew Naudi levelled the score with a shot from well outside the box.

The same kind of rhythm was maintained after the break. Both teams had their moments but once again it was Attard who went in front following a well-taken goal by Chris Gauci.

It was not long, however, before Naudi once again equalised with another long-distance shot.

It was now anybody’s game.

The ball flowed from one end of the pitch to the other as both teams tried to gain an edge. Only five minutes was left on the clock when Anthony Gera put the Amateurs in front for the first time.

Everything seemed lost for Attard but to their credit, they did not give up.

They doubled their efforts and, less than a minute later, were awarded a penalty. It seemed rather harsh on Melita but referee Clayton Pisani was adamant in his decision and Chris Ciappara scored to drag the match into extra-time.

Only seconds from the second restart, Attard suffered a blow when midfielder Franco Degabriele was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The force was now with Melita.

Time and again they came close to scoring but very late in extra-time Ciappara won the ball in midfield and after dribbling past a a couple of Melita defenders, he hit home the winner for Attard.

In his celebrations, Ciappara foolishly took off his shirt and was dismissed after earning his second yellow card.

With nine men, Attard were hard-pressed to contain Melita’s fury but somehow they held on until the final whistle to claim the first honour in their history.

After the game Attard captain Ian Ruggier received the championship trophy from then Malta FA vice-president Carmelo Bartolo.

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