Late goal puts Marsa back on winning track

Football - BOV Div I

Zebbug R Marsa 1 2

A late header scored by Da Lima Melo was enough for Marsa to return to winning ways in a direct clash against Zebbug Rangers. The victory lifts Marsa over the same Zebbug at the end of the first round.

For Zebbug the defeat comes after two successive victories. The Rangers deserved at least a draw from this match. For Marsa Sakurai was instrumental, while Essiel and goalkeeper Mifsud were outstanding at the back.

Marsa were the better team in the opening minutes with Gilbert Martin’s lob landing on the roof of the net. On 13 minutes Sakurai missed a sitter all alone in front of goal with only Azzopardi to beat.

After a slow start Zebbug started to play better with Trebovac in good form. On 16 minutes his drive passed along the face of goal but there was no one on hand to connect. On20 minutes Trebovac passed towards Britto whose effort from an acute angle was well saved by Mifsud.

On 22 minutes Marsa forged ahead when Steve Meilak passed from the left towards Gilbert Martin who slotted home from close range. Minutes later a Meilaq scorcher was brilliantly saved by Azzopardi. On the half hour Marsa captain Gilbert Martin limped off, and five minutes later Zebbug were unlucky when a Dario Tabone shot hit the upright.

Four minutes into the second half Zebbug drew level when from a corner action, Borda’s header was somehow blocked by Mifsud and from the rebound Trebovac slotted home. Minutes later the Marsa custodian made a great save off a Trebovac angled shot.

Zebbug continued to show the better ideas with a Kurt Zammit effort going inches wide and a Clifford Gauci shot was blocked by Mifsud. Ten minutes from time Mifsud was again outstand- ing saving a fierce drive from Zammit direct from a freekick.

Six minutes from time Marsa took the lead again when from a Gary Sultana freekick De Milo Lima nipped in to head home from close range.

Żebbuġ R: J.Azzopardi, C. Gauci, M. Rodrigues Britto, T. Trebovac, R. Bajada, A. Micallef,D. Tabone (A. Curmi), I. Meli, O. Rababah (J.P. Formosa), K. Zammit, M. Borda.

Marsa: L. Mifsud, A.Sicali, M. Busttil, B. Essiel, G. Sultana, J. Farrugia, L. De Melo Lima, K. Sakurai,L. Micallef, S. Meilaq (M. Gauci), G. Martin (J. Theuma)(C. Briffa).

Referee: Matthew Degabriele

LF A Pts