MALTESERS "MELLT" IN OUR MOUTHS

Today is the day. England at Wembley with a full house, remarkbly, it's on the tele and I shall be parked in front of some screen in Market Harborough waiting for the phoenix to arise.
I have mentioned the Maltese a few times before and the latest entry has made reference to the upcoming World Cup qualifying draw.
http://baileyfootballblog.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/how-to-make-maltese-cross.html

So let's wish Gareth all the very best in his latest quest and let's hope our boys respond to his experience and to Sammy Lee's wise words. I wonder where Roy and Sam are?

The Republic of Malta, named after it's delicious "honey" "mell", is one of a Mediterranean archipelago of 7 islands (gathering of islands or "fish swimming" in the sea). Three of these are inhabited including Malta itself of course, Gozo and Comino. The rest are not, but they do remind us of the historic rising sea level in the Mediterranean basin since the last Ice Age. We think that Malta will not continue to be inundated though the islands mark what was once a "land bridge" between Sicily and North Africa, so there is evidence that the Med has been "filled up" and even may still be.

With a population of about 450,000, Malta is the 8th most densely populated country in the World. It holds a place in the Guiness Book of Records for the greatest gathering of story book characters, 453. (presumably in costume). It also has no rivers and forests on the island and has given England more points in the Eurovision Song Contest than any other country.

As far as football records go, England has played Malta on three occasions. In February 1971 (won 1-0 away-Martin Peters scored), in May '71 (5-0 at Wembley) and in June 2000 (2-1 away). Goal scorers in the 5-0 win included Chivers 3, Lee and Clarke.
Gareth Southgate played against them in 2000 and was a sub taking over for Martin Keown (who had scored) in a friendly. Heskey got the other goal. Richard Wright (gk) scored their goal.

Scotland beat them 5-1 in the Ta'Qali Stadium in September in our group. One of the Maltese squad was Luke Gamblin, 23,  who plays for Barnet. The first ever international played by the Maltese was in 1957 against Austria which they lost 2-3. They are ranked 179th in FIFA at the moment.

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