Sliema beat Melita, Zejtun surprise Tarxien

BOV CHALLENGE LEAGUE MATCH DAY 20 REVIEW

TOP 6
Melita 0-2 Sliema Wanderers
Sliema recorded their ninth consecutive win in this season’s Challenge League, moving aside neighbours Melita for a second time this season, this time by the score 2-0. Lydon Micallef scored both goals for the Wanderers, on in each half.
Melita initially shared the exchanges. However, they had a hard time to deal with Micallef, who was in splendid shape last Sunday morning. Before Micallef broke the deadlock on 42 minutes, the striker already came close on 23 and 35 minutes, but in both occasions failed to find the net. However, the goal he scored was also thanks to some good work by Jake Engerer, with an assist by Jean Carlos.
After the break, Micallef remained the dangerman for Sliema, going close to double just before the hour before Melita goalkeeper Ryan Caruana could save. However, on 64 minutes, Micallef did add his second of the day by intelligently dribbling his way through the Melita defence, including the goalkeeper. After the second goal the match was practically over, with Sliema needing just one win to seal automatic promotion back into the Premier Division.

Naxxar Lions 3-0 Zurrieq
George Vella’s Naxxar made no mistake against Zurrieq, beating the high flyers 3-0 on Sunday afternoon. It was a near one-way traffic for Naxxar, who’s dominance was evident. Robinson Blandon scored two goals, with Erikys da Silva adding a third late in the match. It was tough for Zurrieq, playing for the first time without Robinho, who joined Hibernians in the Premier Division. His replacement, Christopher Appah, had a quiet match. However, should George Magri’s side want to battle for the 3^rd (Play-Off) spot, they need to start gathering points as they lost all three Top Six matches, without scoring any goals so far.
The Lions opened on 38 minutes with Blandon heading past Dunstan Zarb from a corner action.
With Edson Farias missing a good opportunity straight after the re-start, Zurrieq tried to do something back but attempts by Luca Bugeja and Xylon Portelli proved futile. Just after the hour, Blandon doubled and ten minutes later, Erikys da Silva added the third to give Naxxar another valuable three points towards promotion.

Tarxien Rainbows 2-3 Zejtun Corinthians
Against all odds, after obtaining a point against Naxxar and giving a good match to Sliema, Zejtun managed to maintain their 3rd place with a dramatic odd goal in five victory over Tarxien. Indeed, coach Orosco Anonam is doing miracles with the Corinthians, who saw about ten players leaving during the January transfer window, but their replacements are doing extremely well. Their never-say-die attitude proved to be the key factor for this win, after falling behind twice in the match. For Jacques Scerri’s Rainbows, it was a hard blow, as they are now four points behind the Corinthians in the standings and have lots of work to do in the remaining seven matches.
Tarxien started well with Jairinho (ex-Zejtun) scoring his first goal in the 18th minute from a precise Juninho  pass. Barely two minutes later, Zejtun’s James Brincat did not miss in front of goal to equalise. But it was Jairinho again who doubled the score with a wonderful header from a corner action on 25 minutes.
Tarxien failed to score the third on the resumption and Zejtun took full advantage with a splendid Jacob Bartolo header on 78 minutes. Much to their credit, Zejtun kept pushing for a winner and eventually scored in the 93rd minute thanks to a deflected free-kick by Rafael de Fex.

PLAY OUT
Swieqi United 2-1 Marsaskala
Steve D’Amato’s Swieqi United extended their unbeaten run (including FA Trophy) to nine matches with an odd goal in three win over Marsaskala. The outcome of the match confirms the ability of this team, who should have no difficulty safeguarding their status and are in fact leading the table, along with St Andrews, of the Play-Out.
Swieqi took the lead after 28 minutes when a fine corner reached Frank Temile who headed imperiously past Daniel Attard. The Southseasiders did not let up however and equalised on 39 minutes through Rundell Winchester, who headed home from close range. In first half stoppage time, Winchester should have given Marsaskala the lead but his shot was blocked by Jean-Claude Debattista.
Swieqi retained the lead on 47 minutes when Jean Borg managed to beat Daniel Attard with a fine low shot after the first attack of the half. Despite Marsaskala’s late rally, Swieqi survived and look safe with ten points ahead of the relegation zone.

Mqabba 0-1 St Andrews
Goran Adamovic’ Mqabba suffered a setback in their quest to avoid the big drop when they were beaten by St Andrews in a match that was dominated for long stretches by the boys led by Brian Said. Without setting any houses on fire, St Andrews fully deserved their victory against a team that had a high morale after their derby victory over Qrendi. But Mqabba were rather disappointing especially in attack where they never gave the impression they could score. On the other hand although enjoying the lions' share of proceedings, St Andrews were somehow found wanting in the final pass in front of goal.
The goal that mattered came just two minutes into the second half when Jamie Sixsmith managed to shoot low into the net from close range following a melee in front of the Mqabba goal.
The result propels St Andrews to a much safer position in the table but on the other hand leaves Mqabba in a desperate one.

Marsa 1-3 Fgura United
After two draws, Fgura finally bagged the full three points against Marsa on Sunday afternoon. Before the start of the game, both teams were on equal points but with this win, distant themselves from Marsa on a third rank just one point behind Play-Out leaders Swieqi and St Andrews.
Marsa took a shock lead after just two minutes play when Teppei Iida’s diagonal shot after being sent through had the better of Fgura goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi. Marsa had in fact the better chances in the opening phase and could have doubled through either Paul Lapira or Luca Brincat, but both failed to convert from ideal angles.
Fgura turned the match around after the break. A Jurgen Debono free-kick had the better of Marsa goalie Nicky Vella on 62 minutes and three minutes later, new recruit Wellington (ex-Marsaxlokk) gave Fgura the lead. On 70 minutes, another new recruit, Colombian Cristian Molina, sealed the outcome of the match with a third goal. Ten minutes later, Justin Grioli was sent for an early shower, collecting his second bookable offence. That same evening, coach Ivan Casha handed in his resignation and will be replaced by Ryan Fenech as player-coach, the first senior coaching job for the ex-Malta international.

Mtarfa 0-1 Lija Athletic
At the final whistle of this match, Lija collectively breathed of sigh of relief, collecting an important three points which is slowly moving the team of Joseph Galea away from the relegation zone. It was only their second win in the last eight matches, figures who show that the team is struggling without the injured Erjon Beu, while they let go one of their best performers, Russell Fenech, on loan to Zejtun. Things look bleak for Mtarfa on the other hand, with their third defeat in the Play-Out and are nine points away from safety.
Lija started like a house on fire and hit the post after just a minute through Japanese forward Kishi Kotaro, who is replacing Beu. The match turned into a relatively quiet affair after a promising opening, with very little goalmouth action until Lija scored what proved to be the winner on 71 minutes when Kotaro managed to stab the ball into the net from close range after a goalmouth melee’. Mtarfa pressed forward in search of an equalizer, but the Lija defence stood firm.

Vittoriosa Stars 1-3 Attard
Attard showed dominancy in this encounter and bagged an important three points, beating strugglers Vittoriosa Stars convincingly 3-1. It was the match of Bledi Alla. The Albanian, who has been playing for Attard since 2017, scored two and assisted with the other, rounding off a wonderful personal performance.
In the 19th minute, Alla’s delicious through pass reached Yuto Morita in the box who placed it confidently behind Christian Cassar to open the score for Attard. Alla doubled for Attard after beating Cassar in a one-on-one situation on 39 minutes. On the stroke of half-time, Alla showed his versatility by scored his second of the afternoon, this time with a header from a corner, leaving Vittoriosa with a lot to think about at the break. Although Attard were still the better team, the Birgu side did try to get back into the match but hit the crossbar twice in quick succession. Deep into stoppage time, Freud Gnindokponou scored a consolation goal for Vittoriosa, who remain anchored rock bottom in the Play-Out.

San Gwann 0-1 Qrendi
Qrendi won three vital points in a low-key match between two sides in almost desperate situation in the lower half of the PlayOut. A good goal score by Henrique Maciel in the opening minutes of the second half proved to be enough for Qrendi who returned to winning ways after their defeat in the derby against Mqabba.
Qrendi had a very promising start but then gradually faded away as San Gwann shared the exchanges and had good efforts from newcomer Reon Saito (ex-Santa Lucia) and young Kemokeh Toure well saved by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff. Qrendi had the best chance on the half hour but Miguel Spiteri denied veteran Brazilian striker Cadu.
After taking the lead, Qrendi controlled with relative ease as San Gwann lacked punch and although having most of the possession rarely if ever tested Mintoff again.

Image copyright Steve Zammit Lupi