Melita stun Floriana to bag first win in Closing Round

MELITA           2         

Debattista 2; Bondin 64

FLORIANA      0

MELITA

A. Lubik, G. Barone (83 A. Simanca), K. Mohnani, Andre (83 S. Martinez), M. Debattista (65 J. Yepez), M. Bovenkamp, D. Xuereb, K. Bondin (65 N. Cutajar), C. Sanchez (78 C. Gyamfi), H. Motta.

FLORIANA

Y. Fillion, O. El Hasni, J. Grech (68’ J. Becerra), D. Vella (68’ A. Garzia), O. Spiteri (68’ Q. Allionida), M. Garcia, C. Zammit Lonardelli, G. Gamarra, F. Sasere, A. Kouros, Fernandinho.

Referee: Daniel Casha (Alex Johnson).

Yellow cards: J. Yepez, N. Cutajar, H. Motta, G. Gamarra.

Melita stunned Opening Round winners Floriana as a goal in each half paved the way for a 2-0 win to collect their first three points in the Closing Round.

It was a fully deserved win for Clive Mizzi’s side who were coming from an unfortunate 3-2 defeat at the hands of Hibernians.

But this time, Melita were determined to earn something from the game.

After taking an early lead, they managed to keep their opponents under control, also thanks to an impressive performance by goalkeeper Akeksander Lubik.

Floriana, on the other hand, disappointed. It took the Greens quite some time to react after conceding the early goal and their reaction was quite sterile. The second goal, then killed any hopes of a comeback.

For Floriana, goalkeeper Yann-Alexandre Fillion was named in the starting line-up, replacing the suspended Christoffer Mafoumbi. Fillion and Fernando Junior made their league debut after starring for the Greens in the FA Trophy clash with Xewkija Tigers last week. Another new recruit, Jock Becerra, was included as a substitute.

New signing Camilo Sanchez, on the other hand, was making his first appearance for Melita but captain Jean Pierre Attard was ruled out through suspension.

Melita had a perfect start, taking the lead on two minutes. Matthew Debattista received a pass from the right by Karl Mohnani and from the edge of the area, he hit low past goalkeeper Fillion.

Floriana replied with a Fernandinho effort from outside the area that ended high on 21 minutes.

Five minutes later, Oualid El Hasni headed high off a Fernandinho corner.

On 34 minutes, goalkeeper Aleksander Lubik performed a good save on a Gonzalo Gamarra header while the same player had an effort parried by the Melita goalkeeper three minutes later. 

Five minutes from half-time, the Greens threatened once again with a fine Jake Grech effort which ended just over.

On the stroke of half-time, Melita almost doubled the score when Andre’s low shot scraped past the post.

At the start of the second half, fourth official Alex Johnson replaced referee Daniel Casha after the latter sustained an injury.

Two minutes into the second half, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli headed just wide off a cross by Fernandinho as the Greens went out in search of the equaliser. 

Lubik came to the rescue two minutes later, turning into a corner a great Franklin Sasere effort off a corner by Jake Grech from the right.

However, on 64 minutes, Melita doubled the score.

Andre released Marc Van de Font Bovenkamp on the left and the latter’s attempt was blocked by Fillion with Kurt Bondin chesting the ball down before placing it into the back of the net.

Three minutes from time, the Greens went close to reducing the gap but substitute Aleandro Garzia’s angled shot from the right was neutralised by the Melita custodian.