The Malta Independent on Sunday
Spirited Melita tame the Lions
Football - BOV First Division
Naxxar L Melita 1 1
A spirited Melita side blocked leaders Naxxar Lions in a highly entertaining match.
For Naxxar still smarting from their defeat against ten-man Mqabba, this was another setback, even though they maintained the leadership.
Melita fully deserved the point earned even though they defended for long stretches, but they were never subdued by their more fancied opponents.
Naxxar had a scoring opportunity inside the first minute when Jurgen debono passed towards Yuri messias who was foiled by a Grima timely sortie. Melita how- ever controlled the match even though Naxxar exerted constant pressure.
On 20 minutes Yuri Messias from the right flank shot low with the ball passing in front of goal with Andriuoli unable to connect.
On the half hour an Angus Buhagiar cross from the right found Lorenzo Andriuoli unmarked but his shot was blocked by Grima.
Eight minutes from time another good run from Angus Buhagiar and his cross from the right was headed by Duane Bonnici, but his effort was well saved by Grima. Minutes later the same Grima turned into a corner a Jurgen Debono freekick.
Thirteen minutes into the second half, Melita’s Axl Xuereb headed over the bar a Julian Abela cross from the right. Fifteen minutes from time Melita goalkeeper Grima made a stunning save off a close range header from substitute Guevara Munoz.
Five minutes from time Naxxar took the lead when substitute Joel Ellul scored a great goal with a shot on the turn from the edge of the area. But Naxxar’s joy was shortlived as three minutes later Melita were back on level terms. The Naxxar defence partially cleared a freekick from the left and Michael Cachia was on hand to fire home the rebound with the ball hitting the upright before finishing at the back of the net.
Naxxar L : O. Borg, A. Buha- giar, John Debono, D. Bonnici, R. Cassar, N. Spiteri, R. Grech (J. Ellul), L. Andriuoli (S. Guevara Munoz), Jurgen Debono, L. Adamec, Y. Messias.
Melita: N. Grima, J. Abela, A. Mizzi, M. Cachia, R. Parrado, K. Pace, J.P. Attard, M. Fenech (A. Borg Olivier), S. Schranz, T. Singleton, A. Xuereb (L. Micallef).
Referee: Stefan Pace