Amateurs stay afloat

Melita 2
Sta Lucija 0

Melita won their third match in a row, defeating Santa Lucija 2-0 with goals from players with an identical name... Matthew Borg I and Matthew Borg II.

This result meant that Melita have maintained their Division Two status for next season.

With the Amateurs dictating the run of play during the first period, Saints' defender Karl Caruana almost committed an own goal from a Gregory Degabriele free-kick after barely seven minutes.

Melita were dangerous again on 14 minutes through an Adriano Fenech free-kick and, on another occasion, an effort by Degabriele just missed the target.

After Fenech's dipping shot was saved with difficulty by David Brincat, five minutes before the interval Melita drew first blood. Sta Lucija goalkeeper Brincat turned away Daniel Gravino's close-range shot and, from the resultant corner, Degabriele's inviting cross was headed home by Matthew Borg II.

After the break, Melita maintained the initiative and their task of taking maximum points became easier when, on 61 minutes, Sta Lucija's Aaron Sciortino was sent off for a second caution.

Melita made sure of the points in the 73rd minute when Matthew Borg I finished off a swift counter-attack.

Nine minutes from time, Melita wasted an easy opportunity through substitute Matthew Zampa and two minutes into stoppage time, Saints' defender Emanuel Cutajar was red carded following an incident with a Melita player.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Birzebbuga SP 2
Zejtun Corinthians 2

Birzebbuga St Peter's and Zejtun Corinthians shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Birzebbuga looked to have secured the three points after opening a two-goal lead in the first half but Zejtun's bold reaction saw them levelling matters with goals from Andy Portelli and Mario Farrugia.

After only five minutes, Zejtun went close through a Vince Camilleri free-kick that was saved by Mercieca but seven minutes later Birzebbuga broke the deadlock through John Paul Barbara. His effort took a deflection off Zejtun's keeper Fardell as it sailed into the net.

Zejtun's response produced dangerous efforts by Camilleri and Elton Caruana but on 28 minutes, Birzebbuga increased their lead through Antoine Sacco following a personal move.

Just before half-time, Sacco had successive close-range shots saved by Fardell.

Two minutes after the restart, Zejtun were back in the game thanks to Portelli. Birzebbuga may have regained their two-goal lead in the 58th minute but Barbara's shot was splendidly blocked by Fardell.

Zejtun pressed forward and after going close on various occasions, they deservedly drew level 11 minutes from the end of regulation time through Farrugia.

A minute into injury time, Saints' substitute keeper Matthew Mangion brought off an excellent save to foil Portelli.

Referee: Mariano Debono.