Lija down Rangers to go top

Lija Athletic 1
Żebbuġ Rangers 0

A second-half Beppe Antignolo goal earned Lija the top spot in the league standings, two points ahead of St Andrew's. Żebbuġ, looking to move to a safer mid-table position, gave Lija a good run for their money but were quite ineffective upfront.

Lija dictated the run of play for most of the first period and after just five minutes a point-blank shot by Antignolo was blocked by Rangers' keeper Martin Pace.

Żebbuġ replied with an Omar Rababah shot that went wide and Lija hitting back through captain Daniel Scerri whose shot just missed the target.

On another occasion, Lija striker Antoine Sacco hit a low shot that was deflected to a corner and on 34 minutes Lija were again denied by Pace off a free-kick taken by Heathcliffe Schembri.

There was action at both ends of the pitch but until half-time the score remained goalless. However, seven minutes after the restart Lija took the lead.

Antignolo found space to hit a rasping grounder that beat Pace.

Żebbuġ had a Stephen Calleja shot that was saved by Bonnici and at the other end Pace was on the right spot to keep out an Antignolo effort. Lija were unlucky not to have scored again late on as a headed attempt by Scerri hit the upright.

Lija: L. Bonnici, M. Camilleri, M. Mangion, A. Saliba, D. Scerri, A. Sacco (L. Desira Buttigieg), L. Cilia (M. Schembri), K. Darmanin, J.P. Scerri, B. Antignolo, H. Schembri.

Żebbuġ: M. Pace, S. Privitelli, S. Calleja, E. Calleja (K. Farrugia), A. Lagana, J. Fenech, M.A. Deguara, G. Scerri, O. Rababah, St. Calleja (N. Francalanza), J. Cilia (P. Ciantar).

Referee: Mohammed Khalil.

Żurrieq 2
Għargħur 1

Żurrieq recovered from the upset to Gozo FC in their previous match with a useful victory over fellows-in-distress Għargħur.

Għargħur opened the score after just two minutes through Andre Azzopardi following an indecision by Reds keeper Manwel D'Amato.

But, Żurrieq immediately went on the offensive and they got a deserved equaliser when Steve Azzopardi followed on to score from the rebound after his first shot had hit the upright.

Żurrieq held the initiative after the break and a shot by Daniel Zammit was cleared off the goalline.

Azzopardi missed a good opportunity to put Għargħur in front and his team paid dearly for that as the Reds struck the eventual winner on 52 minutes through an own-goal by defender Clint Farrugia off a Johan Briffa centre.

Żurrieq: M. D'Amato, C. Gatt, J. Camilleri, A. Barbara, D. Mula, J. Saliba, Joh. Briffa, Jos. Briffa, D. Zammit (C. Mamo), V. Zerafa (M. Abdilla), S. Azzopardi (K. Sacco).

Għargħur: M. Aquilina (F. Scicluna), R. Debattista, J. Galea (R. Cassar), C. Farrugia, M. Mercieca, R. Southward, C. Zammit, D. Cremona, D. Mamo, S. Vella (F. Grech), A. Azzopardi.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

Played yesterday: Gżira vs Gozo 5-4; Sta Venera vs Mellieħa 0-2.