MELITA 2ND DIV LEAGUE

GHARB AVOID BOTTOM PLACE

 QALA ST JOSEPH FC ...   (M.Meilaq 21 pen., 79’; D. Abela 56’ pen.)

K. Grima, N. Portelli, C. Muscat, M. Bonello, J. Rapa, M. Meilaq, D. Abela, P.J. Mizzi, J. Bajada, J. Abela (L. Buttigieg), L. Tabone.

 GHARB RANGERS FC ...

  (R. Sacco 10’ pen., 90+3’; R. Scilcuna 37’, C. Hili 73’)

J. Scerri, A. Said, H. Grech, H. Cassar, O. Formosa, R. Scicluna, R. Vella, R. Sacco, C. Hili, S. Cassar, D. Xerri (A.Camilleri).

A goal scored in the third minute of stoppage time earned Gharb Rangers a victory in their direct clash from the bottom of the table against Qala St Joseph.  This was the last match of the campaign for the two sides who were both aiming to end the season on a positive note.   The match was quite balanced which produced seven goals, three penalties and three players who were sent off.

  Gharb opened the score in the 10th minute of play.  Qala’s Jonathan Bajada handled the ball in the area as the Assistant referee waived for an offside and the referee awarded a penalty since the offside was not whistled.  Roberto Sacco converted from the spot kick to put his side in the lead.  The Saints recovered from the difficult moment and on 21 minute they were also awarded a penalty for a foul by David Xerri on John Rapa.  Marcel Meilaq converted from the spot kick.  Play now became balanced but Gharb regained the lead on 37 minutes through an excellent lob by Rueben Scicluna that surprised goalie Kenny Grima.  Three minutes later Gharb’s Clayton Hili was unlucky when his low shot following a solo action hit the base of the post.

  Qala came out very aggressive after the break.  On 49 minutes an angled shot by Luke Tabone was saved in corner by goalie John Scerri.  One minute later Qala were unlucky when a strike by Denis Abela hit the crossbar and on 53 minutes Gharb’s Roy Vella cleared off the goalmouth a melee resulting from a corner action.  Qala’s efforts were rewarded on 56 minutes when Denis Abela was floored in the area by Roy Vella.  The referee awarded a penalty and the Denis SAbela levelled the score with his shot from the spot kick.  Gharb replied on 66 minutes through an attempt by Andrew Said that was saved by goalie Kenny Grima, but the Rangers regained the lead on 73 minutes.  Clayton Hili took a short clearance by Qala’s rearguard and lobbed into an empty goal from outside the area.  Four minutes later the two teams ended with ten players when Qala’s Paul James Mizzi and Gharb’s Saviour Cassar were sent off for arguing.  Qala scored their third equaliser on 79 minutes through a fine shot from outside the area by Marcel Meilaq that surprised the goalkeeper.  Five minutes from time Qala had a second player sent off as Jonathan Bajada was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Roberto Sacco.  Gharb took advantage of the extra player on the field and in the first minute of stoppage time Roberto Sacco concluded badly from a good position following a solo action.  However, the same Sacco made up for his mistake in the third minute of stoppage time when he scored the goal that decided the issue.  Gharb’s striker entered Qala’s territory in a counter attack, dribbled the goalkeeper and deposited the ball into an empty goal

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