Vittoriosa Stars 5 St George’s 0

With Clayton Micallef playing a blinder being involved in all of the 5 goals scored, Winston Muscat’s side were technically and mentally superb and the fact that they scored early in the game, gave their confidence a boost.

Meanwhile St George’ s have now suffered their second defeat from as many games as they were defeated by Balzan in their opening match of the season.

Vittoriosa took the lead after only 2 minutes when Henry Makinwa who sprinted on the left flank, played a good ball to Beppe Muscat whose drive was blocked by a defender. The ball came into the path of the unmarked Clayton Micallef who drove the ball home from call range.

Vittoriosa continued to press forward and it was no surprise that they increased their lead. This came about on 14 minutes when Leontin Chitescu was too fast for the Saint’s rearguard when he pounced on to a Clayton Micallef cross to beat the stranded Thomas Galea.

St George’s only immediate reaction came on 20 minutes when Glen Bonello tried his luck from the edge of the area but his shot was neutralised by Henry Bonello without too much difficulty.

Vittoriosa made it 3-0 on 35 minutes when Clayton Micallef was quick to react after the Saints custodian failed to hold a Johann Spiteri first-time effort, to shoot home from close range.

Vittoriosa lowered a gear early on but scored 2 goals in the space of a minute, first when on 62 minutes Michael Borg Olivier picked up a through ball courtesy of Clayton Micallef and then it was Beppe Muscat, following a good move by Michael Borg Olivier, Leontin Chitescu and Clayton Micallef. This goal was vintage class touches and skills that were a joy to watch.

St George’s were now dead and buried even though on 70 minutes Gordon Mallia hit the crossbar following a chip from just inside the area and from the rebound Anthony Ewurum saw his drive saved by Henry Bonello.

On 78 minutes Saints substitute Josef Dalli made a good move when he dribbled past two defenders but was unaided by his teammates and was immediately closed down by Jeffrey Chetcuti.

Vittoriosa S: H Bonello; B Muscat, J Camilleri, J Spiteri (C Cachia), L Chitescu, H Makinwa (M Borg Olivier), J Chetcuti, E Vella (J Felice), B Bonnici, P Aquilina, C Micallef

St George’s: T Galea; D Galea (C Schiavone), A Bonello, S Sciberras, E Sevasta, C Ciappara (J Dalli), N Caruana, A Ewurum, G Mallia, G Bonello, E Amaira

Referee: Andre Arciola

Man of the Match: Clayton Micallef (St George’s)

Balzan Youths 2 Melita 1

Despite playing with 10-men for the last half an hour of the match, Balzan Youths confirmed that they might be the dark-horses and a hard nut to crack in division one when again they gave a magnificent performance to join Mosta and Vittoriosa at the summit thanks to the experience of Ivan Zammit, the hard working Aaron Agius and new acquisition veteran striker Simon Shead.

After beating St George’s, David Carabott’s side practically put the game to bed in the first 7 minutes of the match after gaining a 2-goal advantage. Melita, a side composed of several young players were overawed by the fact that they suffered to early goals.

Although they tried to hit back they found the Balzan rearguard, aided by Matthew Sciortino who was deployed as a wiper in front of his own rearguard. Melita showed lack of experience especially at the final stages of the match as they did not make up for the man-up situation which should have worked at their advantage.

Balzan forged ahead immediately with only 1 minute and 37 seconds on the clock. Renie Forace floated a ball into the Melita area; Aaron Agius headed the ball back into the path of Simon Shead who like a flash tapped the ball home from close range, his third goal of the season.

Balzan made it 2-0 on 7 minutes when Aaron Agius dribbled past a defender to shoot home from just inside the box, this after some good work by Peter Anizoba from the right-flank.

They could have made it 3-0 3 minutes later when Renie Forace found Peter Anizoba who grace the crossbar. Aaron Agius shot wide from the rebound. Balzan continued to run the show and went close again on 37 minutes when Luke Micallef headed just over the crossbar a Kane Micallef cross.

Melita came more into the game in the second half and on 54 minutes they managed to reduce the arrears when Luke Micallef coolly drove the ball home from just inside the box after receiving a Luke Fenech cross from the left flank, with the ball squeezing in despite three Balzan defenders guarding the post behind goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone.

On the hour Balzan made a tactical change when veteran player-coach David Carabott substituted Peter Anizoba as Melita started to increase the pressure. But they received a severe setback two minutes later when Aaron Agius was sent-off after receiving a second yellow card, both for simulation.

Despite playing with a numerical advantage Melita failed to pose anymore threats with Balzan controlling well the issue to win three more valuable points.

Balzan Youths: F Tabone, D Agius, D Fenech, J Francica, I Zammit, S Aquilina, R Forace, M Sciortino (G Tanti), S Shead (T Thomas), A Agius, P Anizoba (D Carabott)

Melita: M Sapiano, D Gravino, G Gribbon, M Martin J Galea, N Rizzo (S Galea), K Micallef, L Fenech, L Micallef, I Bilocca (L Sammut), M Mamo (N Zammit)

Referee: Glenn Tonna

Man of the Match: Matthew Sciortino (Balzan Y)

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