Vittoriosa Stars

Vittoriosa.S   0   Melita   1

Melita continued to distance themselves from the troubled zone after beating promotion-seekers Vittoriosa Stars 1-0 at the Tedesco Stadium, yesterday.

The goal that settled the issue came from a second-half penalty scored by George Gribbon after a foul by defender Jonathan Xerri who was sent off.

Winston Muscat's Stars have now lost two games in succession after they were beaten by rivals St George's last week. For their part, Melita chalked up their second victory on the trot after upsetting other promotion hopefuls Balzan Youths in their previous match.

Once again, it was keeper Karl Zahra who contributed richly to Melita's precious victory.

The opening half was a drab affair. Both sides opted for a cautious game, waiting for each other to make the first move.

Melita had an Ives Bilocca shot which nearly deceived the Stars keeper and Vittoriosa's pick was a Beppe Muscat effort from just outside the area that sailed over the crossbar.

Melita had a good opportunity to forge ahead on 34 minutes when Nicolò Baldacchino shot goalwards from a Julian Galea ball but the strike was blocked by Brandon Bonnici. Then, five minutes before half-time, Vittoriosa created four ideal openings to score but found Zahra in their way on each occasion.

The Melita no.1 did well to keep out Muscat's effort and Joseph Chetcuti was also denied by the Amateurs' keeper after a measured Muscat pass. From a corner, Gary Inguanez's firm header was stopped by Zahra and just before the break, the latter was at it again to neutralise Muscat's menacing shot.

Jonathan Mifsud tried his luck for Melita a few minutes from the restart but keeper Henry Bonello was on the right spot to save.

Melita were awarded a penalty on 57 minutes when Xerri brought down Baldacchino in the box. The Vittoriosa player got a red card and Gribbon tucked away the penalty.

The Stars were stunned but regrouped and on 67 minutes a Clayton Micallef drive from 25 metres out was saved by Zahra. A few minutes later, a Henry Makinwa header beat Zahra but Matthew Borg cleared from over the line.

Melita did well to administer the remaining minutes of the match as Vittoriosa lost their cool and also had coach Muscat sent off.

Vittoriosa: H. Bonello, P. Aquilina, J. Xerri, B. Bonnici, J. Chetcuti, P. Camilleri (L. Chitescu), G. Inguanez, C. Micallef, B. Muscat, J. Chetcuti, H. Makinwa.

Melita: K. Zahra, S. Bonnici, G. Gribbon, D. Gravino, M. Martin, M. Borg (N. Zammit), N. Baldacchino (S. Galea), J. Galea, J. Mifsud, L. Micallef (A.C. Scicluna), I. Bilocca.