Debattista earns Melita crucial victory over Balzan

MELITA 1

Debattista 25

BALZAN 0

MELITA

A. Lubik, Aldair, K. Mohnani, A. Penha da Costa, M Debattista (80 N. Cutajar), A. Borg Olivier, M. Van de Font Bovenkamp, D. Xuereb (88 M. Cachia), J. Yepes, K. Bondin (82 B. Cassar), H. Motta.

BALZAN

D. Ciappara, G. Camilleri (75 G. Farrugia), S. Arab, T. Caruana, N. Pulis, J. Busuttil, D. Oluwatobiloba, H. Stanic, A. Akpan Udoyen, R. Floro (65 B. Hili), M. Novaes (65 I. Westendorf).

Referee: Daniel Portelli.

Yellow cards: Floro, Xuereb, Arab, Van de Fint Bovenkamp,

Matthew Debattista’s first-half strike ensured Melita moved five points clear of the relegation zone.

Balzan were expected to run the show in the opening half with a forceful wind blowing behind their backs.

Melita goalkeeper Aleksander Lubik was forced to pay extra attention on 25 minutes when he fumbled what appeared a harmless clearance by Henri Stanic but the flight of the ball took on an unpredictable pattern by the strong winds.

From the prospect of taking the lead, Balzan found themselves behind.

It was another soft goal as Karl Mohnani sent in a cross from the right flank towards the centre where the unmarked Matthew Debattista volleyed the ball home.

Soon after the interval, Balzan came to life and Nicholas Pulis was at hand to latch onto a long cross and his shot from an acute angle finished into the side-netting.

An increasingly desperate Balzan continued to create opportunities as the match wore on.

Almost immediately, Dimeji Oluwatobiloba slipped into the Melita penalty but was prevented from scoring by Lubik.

Melita almost punished their flat-out approach, but Oluwatobiloba made a last-ditch clearance with Debattista poised to push the ball home from Jesus Yepez. Debattista was denied by Dylan Ciappara after some devastating counter-attacking play.

On 73 minutes, Ciappara pushed the ball over the bar from a thundering drive by Yepez.

Jan Busuttil almost scored a priceless equaliser two minutes from time, but he was blocked in time.

Melita ended on a flourishing note as Yepez struck the foot of the post from just out of the penalty area.

Balzan punted hopeful long balls and Isaac Westendorf hit a diagonal shot that drifted wide.