Delayed derby produces a stalemate

MIA Division Two

Gzira United 1
Dingli Swallows 0

A second-half Hashem Rhababh goal was enough for Gzira United to increase their promotion chances. This was Dingli's 10th defeat of the season in a match during which they had to play with ten players after having Jonathan Sapiano sent off in the 27th minute.

Gzira were the better team during the first half and after only three minutes they were unlucky when a shot by Hashem hit the upright.

In the 17th minute Hashem wasted an easy opportunity and four minutes later a point-blank shot by Kevin Naudi was saved by Abela.

In the 27th minute Sapiano was sent off after passing remarks to referee Frans Formosa.

Gzira surged forward in attack and scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 58th minute when Naudi released Hashem with a perfect throughpass before beating the Dingli goalkeeper.

Gzira grew edgy in the closing stages and Dingli almost drew level but Etienne Farrugia and Dino Pace were denied by Gzira goalie Micallef.

Referee: Frans Formosa.

Zejtun Corinthians 0
Mellieha 1

Mellieha still have an outside chance for promotion even though they failed to impress in this match against the already-relegated Zejtun Corinthians.

Zejtun thought they had a penalty in favour early on but defender Joe Mercieca's handling of the ball in his area was deemed accidental by the referee. Play ensued mostly in midfield but in the 41st minute Mellieha 'keeper Vella was alert to stop a menacing Elton Caruana shot.

Two minutes later Mellieha took the lead. There was some hesitancy in the Zejtun rearguard and Wayne Borg St John grabbed the chance to lob inside the opponents' net.

In the early stages of the second period Zejtun created ideal scoring chances through Marco Gerada, Caruana and Mario Farrugia but failed to snatch an equaliser as Mellieha gradually started taking control. Near the end, the Zejtun upright denied Mario Debono from Mellieha's second goal.

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

St Andrews 5
Gozo 5

Monday evening's first match produced an incredible result as the Gozitans recovered from a three-goal deficit in the second half and went 5-4 up only for the Saints to halt their impressive comeback with an equaliser in injury-time.

St Andrews started as the livelier side and after 14 minutes Mark Hyzler put them ahead after some hesitancy in the Gozitan rearguard. Ten minutes later, however, the visitors equalised through John Camilleri but quick goals from Hyzler, again, and Mark Schembri gave St Andrews a 3-1 lead at the break.

Soon after the restart the score became 4-1 after Robert Gusman's goal. But between the 52nd and 62nd minutes the Gozitans hit a purple patch scoring four times, through John Camilleri (2), Chris Camilleri and Anthony Portelli, to go 5-4 up.

However, their promotion chances and hopes of a comeback win were dashed in added time when Gusman fired in a last-gasp equaliser.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

St George's 0
Vittoriosa Stars 0

The second fixture on Monday was a lacklustre derby between St George's and Vittoriosa Stars, a match which had to start 30 minutes late due to problems in the floodlights system.

The Saints are now three points ahead of second-placed Gzira, who, however, have a match in hand.

Vittoriosa did the early attacking, going close through Joe Mizzi and James Camilleri. At the other end, St George's were twice denied by Mark Vella off efforts from Nazzareno Abela and Clive Brincat.

After the interval St George's dictated the run of play but free-kicks by Keith Darmanin and Heathcliffe Schembri never reached the desired target. On another occasion a shot by Abela was a whisker away from the Vittoriosa goal. Late in the match goalie Andrea Gatt saved the St George's lines with super saves on Larry Lagana and Charles Cachia.

Referee: Edward Spiteri.

MIA Division Three

Pembroke Athleta 0
Melita AFC 2

Two Edward Herrera goals saw Melita lowering the colours of neighbours Pembroke to maintain their steady charge for Division Two football next season. They are the sole leaders and firm favourites for promotion at the end of the season.

Melita did all the early running, Steve Magri and Herrera very active for the team. However, Pembroke held tight and could have surprised their rivals from one of their quick counter-breaks.

Late in the first period Pembroke's Grima Baldacchino was the protagonist with two saves on Simon Borg.

Soon after the restart Melita were unlucky when a Busuttil shot hit the crossbar. But on 58 minutes Melita deservedly took the lead when Herrera shot home from a Fenech pass.

Two minutes from time Herrera sealed the issue for Melita with a second goal after a fine solo move.

Referee: Malcolm Mercieca.

Sta Lucija 4
Ghaxaq 0

This was an easy victory for Sta Lucija in a 'basement' clash against Ghaxaq. The Saints, inspired by their best player Kurt Grima, took the lead after 11 minutes when Martin Camilleri headed home from a corner.

Grima scored twice after the break and four minutes from time Roderick Mangion rounded up the score for Sta Lucija after hitting home from a Melvin Agius cross.

Referee: Sadia Mizzi.

Qormi 2
Gudja United 0

Qormi are still in the hunt for one of the promotion berths available after beating Gudja, making sure with two goals in the opening half.

Gudja had a disappointing match as they slipped to their fourth upset of the season.

Carmel Formosa opened the score for Qormi after only six minutes.

That proved to be an ideal launch pad for the team as they cruised past their opponents in style even though they had to wait another 30 minutes to score again. This time Qormi's scorer was Clyde Grech who let fly an unstoppable drive.

Qormi created other scoring opportunities after the break but found Xerxen in the Gudja goal in their way as he made fine saves on Zammit, Borg Olivier and Formosa.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Sta Venera Lightnings 2
Luqa St Andrews 1

Young striker Dylan Mercieca was the protagonist in this match as his two goals saw Sta Venera turning defeat into victory.

Sta Venera had to play for most of the second period with ten players when Jeffrey Zammit was sent off. The points helped the Saints to move third in the standings and snapping at Kirkop's heels for the runner-up spot.

Sta Venera had a difficult start when Mark Said put Luqa ahead with a well-taken goal.

Sta Venera's reaction was immediate but could not find a way past the Luqa rearguard. In the 60th minute their troubles grew bigger when Zammit was sent off.

The team was not demoralised though and despite the handicap Sta Venera drew level 13 minutes from time thanks to a low Mercieca drive.

Joe Chetcuti rattled the Luqa woodwork soon after but three minutes from time Mercieca had better luck when hitting home the winner.

Referee: Karl Frendo Cumbo.