Naxxar Lions 0
Żejtun Corinthians 1
The Division Two season-opener at the Centenary Stadium attracted a sizeable crowd as Żejtun Corinthians and Naxxar Lions, the two teams that gained promotion from Division Three last term, went head-to-head. Żejtun started their campaign on a high as they beat the Lions 1-0.
Naxxar were the better side early on, going close with a menacing Gilbert Camilleri shot that was stopped by keeper Ranier Farrugia. The latter was called into action soon after as he kept out a Victor Bellia effort.
Żejtun hit back with a header from Kenneth Abela that was blocked by Bjorn Attard. The Lions continued to play the better football. Matthew Spiteri Gonzi’s header was neutralised by Farrugia.
Darren Falzon failed to beat Farrugia from close range and, just before the break, Attard denied Abela with a timely intervention.
Żejtun scored the goal that mattered three minutes after the restart. Abela was quick to release Silvio Sciberras who let fly a diagonal shot that beat Attard.
The Lions were stunned. Żejtun maintained the initiative and almost made it 2-0 on 55 minutes but Adrian Carabott saw his effort stopped by Attard.
Ryan Cauchi also missed a sitter for Żejtun, hitting wide from a good position as Naxxar made a late reaction. Their best chance of an equaliser came on 81 minutes when Kevin Fenech crossed towards Andrè Rocha da Silva whose header skimmed the upright.
Naxxar: B. Attard, J. Agius, K. Fenech, M. Del Negro (C. Pace), A. Farrugia, M. Spiteri Gonzi, A. Fenech (J. Zammit), A. Rocha da Silva, D. Fenech, V. Bellia, G. Camilleri (G. Magri).
Żejtun: R. Farrugia, E. Azzopardi, D. Vella, J. Cachia, C. Magro, H. Schembri, R. Cauchi, J. Abela, S. Sciberras, K. Abela (A. Portelli), A. Carabott (C. Formosa).
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Żurrieq 2
Mellieħa 3
Mellieħa chalked up a deserved victory at the expense of Żurrieq.
The Reds had an early Klinsmann Grech shot saved by Simon Gauci as Mellieħa replied with a Fabiano Bassi effort that was cleared off the line by keeper Julian Azzopardi.
Philip Taylor put Mellieħa in front on 25 minutes when he hit home from a loose ball.
A Rosen Filipov volley almost had the better of Azzopardi as Mellieħa kept insisting in attack. It was no surprise when Isaac Sammut made it 2-0.
Żurrieq went close to pulling one back before half-time when Steve Azzopardi’s shot from close range was neutralised by Gauci.
However, on 58 minutes Ray Attard narrowed the deficit with a shot that took a deflection on its way past Gauci.
Mellieħa weathered the storm to re-open a two-goal lead on 69 minutes. Filipov found space to deliver an inviting ball to Daniel Cremona who beat Azzopardi to make it 3-1.
Mellieħa were in control now with Żurrieq’s second goal only arriving deep into stoppage time. Jeffrey Camilleri’s strike came too late for the Reds to save the match.
Żurrieq: J. Azzopardi, K. Sacco (J. Briffa), J. Lia, A. Barbara, J. Camilleri, R. Attard, D. Bonnici (R. Varoaro), J. Saliba (J. Briffa), S. Azzopardi, K. Grech, D. Zammit.
Mellieħa: S. Gauci, I. Sammut, M. Vella, L. Cauchi, A. Portelli, K. Gauci (P. Taylor), N. Filipov, P. Camilleri, R. Filipov, F. Bassi (M. Vella), D. Cremona (M. Borg).
Referee: Jude Amin Utulu.