Vittoriosa Stars 0
Gudja 0

Vittoriosa Stars and Gudja United played out a goalless draw in a drab encounter that produced very few scoring opportunities.

For Gudja this was the first time this season that they failed to find the net while this was the second successive draw for Vittoriosa.

The first half was a drab affair with the only notable scoring chances coming late on.

On 37 minutes, Luke Vella Critien played a one-two with David Garcia Mitogo, but the former San Ġwann striker’s shot finished inches wide.

A minute into injury time, Carlos Compagnoli rose above his marker but his headed effort finished over.

The second started a bit brighter with Compagnoli shooting over the bar after a good through pass by Mark Barbara.

On the hour a Peter Paul Sammut half-volley looked destined to hit the net but got a deflection off a Vittoriosa defender.

Six minutes later Gilbert Martin’s long range shot was saved by Matthew Xerxen.

In the 76th minute, the Stars had Clive Spiteri dismissed for a foul on the goalbound Ryan Cauchi.

From the resulting free-kick, Udo Nwoko drove the ball just over the crossbar.

On 88 minutes, Adrian Cara-bott’s header finished over as Gudja tried to make their numerical advantage count but Vittoriosa held on.

Vittoriosa Stars: K. Magri, L. Vella Critien, M. Camilleri (G. Martin), C. Compagnoli, C. Sammut (J. Camilleri), C. Spiteri, F. Arriagada Mella, K. Scicluna, D. Garcia Mitogo (V. Di Maggio), M. Barbara, M. Buttigieg.

Gudja United: M. Xerxen, M. Groves (G. Sammut, R. Cauchi), C. Fenech, R. Buhagiar, C. Giordimaina, E. Awoh, M. Brincat, A. Carabott, P. P. Sammut, U. Nwoko, A. Catania.

Referee: Fiodor Zammit.

Man of the match: Luke Vella Critien (Vittoriosa).

Melita 3
Mqabba 1

Melita came from behind to see off Mqabba for their third successive victory that lifted them to the top of the Division One standings.

Despite falling behind, Noel Zarb Cousin’s side re-grouped and inspired by forward Julian Galea they managed to turn the tables on their opponents to gain three vital points that pushed them one point clear of Gudja United.

It was Mqabba who threatened first when Guilherme de Freitas was put through by Douglas Da Silva Silveira but the forward was denied by the onrushing Philip Schranz.

Mqabba were playing the better football and on 19 minutes Brandon Grech latched on to Claudio Calleja’s through pass, and lobbed the ball over Schranz to put his team ahead.

But the Amateurs equalised on 27 minutes. Galea moved past Gomes with the ball rolling into the path of Nigel Rizzo who beat Kris Calleja from close in.

Melita went 2-1 up on 34 minutes when Da Silva Silveira lost possession in midfield and Luke Sammut burst into the area but was upended by Mark Anthony Psaila.

From the resultant penalty, George Gribbon drilled the ball past Calleja.

Melita sealed the points on 70 minutes when Galea beat Calleja with a firm drive.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, O. Farrugia, R. Gomes (P. Oladatun Taiyer), M.A. Psaila, C. Micallef, B. Grech (J. Gerada), G. de Freitas, C. Calleja (J. Fenech), K. Cutajar, D. Da Silva Silveira.

Melita: P. Schranz, N. Micallef, L. Bianco, G. Gribbon, R. Alinho, M. Valenzia, F. Mennini Righini, J. Galea, L. Sammut (J.P. Attard), E. Cornago (J. Fenech Adami), N. Rizzo (T. Terpougoff).

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Man of the match: Julian Galea (Melita).

Standings