No goals at Pace Grasso after two stalemates

No goals were scored last Sunday at the Pace Grasso ground as the last two matches of 2005 both finished in goalless draws.

In the opening match of the day, Sta Venera Lightnings collected another valuable point after frustrating fourth-placed Mosta who missed the chance of going second behind Hibs in the standings.

Mosta dominated the match but could not breach the solid Sta Venera defence. Their first chance came on 20 minutes when Victoria Saliba passed the ball to Karen Lia who was stopped by goalkeeper Sharon Costantino. Thirteen minutes later, Roxanne Gatt's shot was blocked in two attempts by the Sta Venera no.1.

On the stroke of half-time, Rebecca Chircop turned past two defenders but Lia was a trifle too late for the inviting cross.

After the break, Mosta kept pressing forward. A Jane Coates' cross-shot never threatened Costantino and another Coates attempt, this time from a free-kick, was dealt with by the Sta Venera goalkeeper.

The Saints' first shot at goal arrived on 63 minutes when Fiona Mangion tested Karen Camilleri from a free-kick. In the 72nd minute Sta Venera's Orianne Cassar had to leave the pitch injured. She was replaced by Maryrose Cardona.

Mosta's last chance came three minutes from time, when after a defensive scramble, the ball fell to substitute Yanika Fenech who, however, shot wide from close in.

The other match brought against each other two teams fighting for the title, Birkirkara and Melita.

The final 0-0 scoreline did little to boost their chances though as Hibs stayed top four points clear of their nearest rivals Melita.

On 11 minutes, Melita's Ingrid Vassallo broke free but lobbed the ball a whisker away from target. Birkirkara's response arrived soon after when Kristie Vella's shot finished just wide.

On 20 minutes, the Stripes were unlucky not to take the lead. From a Deborah Pisani corner, the ball fell to Catherine Camilleri whose drive hit the bar.

Vassallo was through again after a quick break but her finishing was poor.

Five minutes from the break, Birkirkara were again denied by the woodwork. This time it was Rachel Cuschieri's shot that smacked against the bar.

At the other end, Vassallo, very active for Melita, tried from an angle with the shot skimming Michelle Zahra's upright.

The two teams maintained the pace after the break even though it was the Stripes who enjoyed more possession. Melita's Rebecca D'Ago-stino almost scored against her former team but Zahra was well-placed to stop the menacing shot.

Thirteen minutes from time, D'Agostino sped past her direct marker but her lob lacked precision and the Stripes keeper had enough time to recover position and grab the ball before bouncing into the net.

Team line-ups

Mosta: K. Camilleri, A.M. Vella, M. Deguara, L. Piscopo, R. Gatt, P. Cohen, J. Coates, K. Lia, V. Saliba, R. Chircop, A. Debono (Y. Fenech).

Sta Venera: S. Costantino, A. Vella, F. Mangion, R. Gatt, S. Vella, O. Cassar (M. Cardona), S. Bray, O. Micallef (S. Mejlaq), G. Calleja, J. Grech, T. Briffa.

Birkirkara: M. Zahra, I. Mazzitelli, S. Sammut, C. Fenech, D. Pisani, V. Attard, S. Camilleri, C. Camilleri, R. Cuschieri, K. Vella (C. Demanuele), S. Farrugia.

Melita: S. Zammit, D. Allingham, J. Ellul Soler, C. Scicluna, J. Abdilla, N. Pace, R. D'Agostino, R. Steerchetam (D. Micallef, L. Tabone), O. Bedingfield, K. Agius, I. Vassallo.

Top scorers: D. Theuma (Hibs), Y. Carabott (Hibs) 12 goals; S. Farrugia (Birkirkara) 9 goals; D. Tonna (Hibs) 7.

Next fixtures: January 8: 9 a.m. Qormi vs Rabat Ajax; 11 a.m. Hibernians vs Raiders.