Marsaxlokk win to go top
Marsaxlokk 2Melita 0 Marsaxlokk returned to winning ways after having the better of Melita to go back to the top of the Division One standings, one point clear of nearest rivals Vittoriosa Stars. It was far from a convincing performance from the...
Marsaxlokk 2
Melita 0
Marsaxlokk returned to winning ways after having the better of Melita to go back to the top of the Division One standings, one point clear of nearest rivals Vittoriosa Stars.
It was far from a convincing performance from the southerners who looked a disjointed lot during the first half and although they improved after the break, Melita will feel harddone by the defeat after hitting the woodwork three times.
It was Melita who created the first opening when after five minutes Luke Micallef drove the ball wide from the edge of the area after some good work by 18-year old Tobias Terpougoff.
On 18 minutes Deanov sent a good ball into the box for Malcolm Licari who shot wide from a good position.
On the half hour Melita thought they had taken the lead when Michael Martin floated a cross into the Marsaxlokk area, Nicolo Baldacchino anticipated Marsaxlokk goalkeeper Glenn Zammit but the goal was disallowed for a foul on Zammit.
Melita should have taken the lead in the 50th minute when Luke Micallef dribbled past William Camenzuli served Terpougoff who only had to push the ball home but instead blasted well over.
Patrick Curmi's side managed to take the lead in the 54th minute when following a melee inside the Melita box Licari had his shot cleared off the line by George Gribbon, the ball came to Bajada whose weak effort was deflected into the net by Daniel Gravino.
Marsaxlokk won a penalty in the 64th minute when Gribbon grabbed Licari by the neck when jumping for the ball in the area and a penalty was awarded. Deanov hit the ball low and hard into the left hand side of goalkeeper Karl Zahra.
Melita were unlucky not to get back into the game on 73 minutes when Steve Bonnici's header hit a post.
In the 76th minute Bilocca was too fast for the Marsaxlokk rearguard and as he went through in the area was brought down by Zammit and a penalty was given. But Matthew Borg's drive from 11 metres hit the crossbar.
Marsaxlokk: G. Zammit; W. Camenzuli, E. Yanchev, R. Galabov, A. Spiteri (D. Carabott), F, Raimy, P. Pullicino, R. Bajada, M. Licari (G. Caruana), M. Deanov. D. Kokavessis
Melita: K. Zahra; S. Bonnici, D. Gravino, G. Gribbon, M. Martin (S. Galea), M. Borg, N. Baldacchino (I. Bilocca), J. Galea (M. Fenech), J. Mifsud, L. Micallef, T. Terpougoff
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi
Man of the match: Martin Deanov (Marsaxlokk).