Naxxar Lions 1
Gilmar 87;
Melita 2
Rizzo 55; Gribbon 82;
Melita players walked tall at the Tedesco Stadium last night.
Undaunted by the prospect of facing Premier League opponents, Melita delivered a stirring performance to stun Naxxar Lions in their FA Trophy third round match.
The Amateurs were worth their success as they were the brighter side for long stretches, showing admirable tactical discipline and pushing forward with purpose.
Defenders George Gribbon and Rudi Alhinho typified their defiance with a commanding display, Michael Valencia shielded the back line effectively and Nigel Rizzo and Julian Galea constantly troubled the unsteady Lions defence.
After going two goals ahead with only eight minutes remaining, Melita survived a late finale after Gilmar handed the low-key Naxxar a lifeline but the Division One high-fliers stood firm to set up a fourth round clash with Valletta.
More importantly, their showing yesterday will have done wonders for their self-belief as Melita push for promotion to the top flight.
Neil Zarb Cousin, the Melita coach, opted for 4-2-3-1 with captain Galea taking up the lone striker’s role.
Jesmond Zerafa, who was not present for yesterday’s match as he recovers from influenza, picked a strong formation with young right-back Yaron Sammut the only new face in Naxxar’s team.
Terence Vella, buoyed by his two-goal haul in the 3-1 win over Balzan last weekend, retained his place in Naxxar’s attack alongside Pape Gueye as Zerafa experimented with a three-man defence.
Melita signalled their attacking intentions from the off as they shaded the early exchanges. They piled the pressure on Naxxar who were indebted to Julian Azzopardi after six minutes as the lanky goalkeeper pulled off a flying save to tip Valenzia’s thunderbolt over the bar.
This was a wake-up call for the slow-starting Lions.
Gilmar, playing off the two strikers, was wide from the edge of the box on nine minutes.
Contrary to the first match where Birżebbuġa were torn apart by Valletta, Melita were holding their own against the Lions with Rizzo a dynamic figure on the right.
In a rare attacking foray, Uchenna Emenike, yesterday deployed as left wing-back, made headway but he skewed his shot.
The Lions flickered into life. Gilmar’s corner was deflected to Gueye whose first-time effort was stopped by Philip Schranz. On another occasion, Gueye’s cross-cum-shot just eluded Vella before the Senegalese spurned a glorious chance, blasting high after being picked out by Gilmar.
But it was Melita who should have opened the scoring as Antoine Attard’s curling cross-shot from an angle soared above Azzopardi but the ball cannoned off the crossbar.
Naxxar had a good chance to seize the lead two minutes into the second half. Gilmar held off Mathias Fenech as he darted forward before slipping a pass to Emenike who lifted his shot over the bar from an inviting position.
Ten minutes into the second half, Melita struck.
Fittingly, their goal came from their best player on the field as Rizzo evaded the attentions of the Naxxar defenders to direct a flying header into the net from Attard’s perfect cross.
Naxxar were now expected to raise their game but their chaotic efforts were easily repelled by the solid Melita rearguard.
Eight minutes from the end, Melita’s bold efforts were rewarded with a second goal, Gribbon meeting Emilio Cornago’s corner with a firm header that flew past Azzopardi.
Gilmar revived Naxxar’s hopes as the Brazilian powered his way into the box, outmuscled Schranz and tapped the ball home but it was a case of too little too late for the Lions.
Naxxar Lions: J. Azzopardi, A. Scicluna, I. Edet, V. Bellia, T. Vella, P. Gueye (62 J. Debono), D. Falzon, Y. Sammut, Gilmar, P. Doffo, U. Emenike (70 D. Bonnici).
Melita: P. Schranz, N. Micallef, A. Attard (55 L. Bianco), E. Cornago, R. Alhinho, M. Valenzia, M. Fenech (77 L. Sammut), J. Galea, N. Rizzo (61 J.P. Attard), K. Micallef, G. Gribbon.
Referee: Andrè Arciola.