Melita in deep trouble

Melita 2
Gudja United 4

Melita are third from bottom in the standings following this defeat to Gudja United as the latter leapfrogged the Amateurs in ninth place.

Melita, with neighbours St Andrew's now breathing behind their necks, finished the match with nine men as they had two players sent off in the second half. They made all the early running and after going close through Daniel Gravino and Anthony Briffa, Matthew Borg I headed home Hyzler's cross.

Their joy was short-lived, however, as a minute later Gudja were awarded a penalty for a foul on Chris Grech. Jesmond Micallef made no mistake from the spot.

Gudja were on top now and on 32 minutes Carlos Scicluna put them 2-1 ahead.

Melita looked the better team after the break but their hopes suffered a blow when 'last man' Chris Mifsud Bonnici was dismissed for a foul on Louis Falzon.

Grech made it 3-1 on 56 minutes but Borg I threw Melita a lifeline with his second goal of the day.

But, Gudja were awarded their second penalty on 75 minutes when Grech was fouled by Jacques Scerri with the latter being shown the red card. Scicluna stepped up for the spot-kick and made it a final 4-2 scoreline.

Melita: M. Sapiano, M. Mamo, M. Stivala, J. Mifsud (J. Scerri), C. Mifsud Bonnici, D. Gravino, M. Hyzler (S. Borg), A. Briffa (S. Galea), K. Micallef, J. Galea, M. Borg I.

Gudja: M. Xerxen, C. Micallef, J. Spiteri, J. Zahra (T. Vella), J. Farrugia, E. Bugeja, M. Camilleri, C. Grech, J. Micallef, C. Scicluna (S. Orlando), L. Falzon (R. Micallef).

Referee: Joe Attard.

Birzebbuga St Peter's 1
St Andrew's 2

Billy Mock's revival show at St Andrew's continued last weekend when his team beat Birzebbuga with a late Junior Sank goal.

There were few scoring opportunities in the first half with Birzebbuga goalkeeper Ludvic Fardell forced to leave the pitch after an injury in the ninth minute.

St Andrew's were unlucky a minute before the break when Sank's header hit the bar.

Aldrin Muscat put Birzebbuga ahead after 51 minutes following a good move by James Galea. But, the Saints drew level on 82 minutes through substitute Kevin Camilleri.

When everything was pointing to a draw Sank struck his dramatic winner in added time.

Birzebbuga: L. Fardell (J.P. Mercieca), R. Farrugia, J.P. Barbara (R. Celeste), C. Formosa, L. Burke, M. Ciappara, S. Borg (J. Galea), N. Tabone, A. Muscat, J. Cassar, C. Grech.

St Andrews: F. Tabone, J. Galea, J. Sank, J. Briscoe White, S. Falzon, A. Galea, P. Briscoe White, A. Galea (B. Chetcuti), J. Zammit (J. Gatt Coleiro), I. Borg, N. Micallef (K. Camilleri).

Referee: Darren Calleja.

Balzan Youths 3
Sta Venera Lightnings 0

Balzan remained in touch with the top teams following this victory over 10-man Sta Venera who had Dylan Mercieca dismissed early in the second half.

Malcolm Tirchett was close to giving Balzan an early lead and at the other end goalkeeper Bonello did well to deny Sta Venera's Andrew Hili.

Balzan struck the opener early in the second half. Alistair Camilleri's through ball released Antoine Sacco who fired the ball into the net. Mercieca was then sent off for dissent.

From provider Camilleri turned to scorer on 70 minutes to put Balzan 2-0 up and barely two minutes later Sacco put seal to Balzan's win with a third goal.

Sta Venera should have pulled a goal back late on but Clayton Garzia's penalty was saved by Brian Bonello.

Balzan: B. Bonello, D. Mamo, D. Agius, S. Cappitta, B. Pace (C. Borg), K. Curmi, M. Sciortino (S. Cauchi), L. McKay, A. Camilleri (J. Agius), A. Sacco, M. Tirchett.

Sta Venera: S. Rapinett, D. Bonnici (D. Azzopardi), L. Stivala, C. Abela (C. Garzia), M. Muscat, Y.M. Law, G. Micallef, A. Hili, D. Mercieca, S. Said (I. Falzon), M. Grech.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Zebbug Rangers 1
Rabat Ajax 3

Joe Gerada's Rabat Ajax bounced back from the defeat to Lija the previous week when they beat Zebbug to stay third in the standings.

Rangers played the better football during the first 45 minutes and took just seven minutes to forge ahead through a Josef Felice goal.

Rabat responded with an Eric Sciberras volley that just missed the target. The Magpies were a transformed side after the break as they piled the pressure on Rangers' defence. Their efforts drew dividends on 73 minutes when Kayne Said struck the equaliser.

More was to come from Rabat as Said put them ahead in the 90th minute before Adam Smeir rounded up the score with a last-gasp goal.

Zebbug: P. Attard, J. Mallia, K. Xuereb, A. Ciantar, J. Felice, K. Farrugia, E. Sciberras, G. Saliba, N. Francalanza, G. Mallia, A. Buhagiar (C. Borg).

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, A. Borg, J. Bezzina, J. Tonna, J. Caruana, C. Schembri, C. Muscat (P. Ciantar), E. Muscat, K. Said, K. Micallef, A. Smeir.

Referee: Esther Farrugia.

Leading scorers: W. Borg St John (Mellieha); A. Smeir (Rabat) 8 goals; M. Borg I (Melita) 7 goals; M. Tirchett (Balzan); K. Said (Rabat) 6 goals.