Birżebbuġa beat ten-man Lija to move up to second

Lija Athletic 2
Birzebbuga St Peter’s 3

Newly promoted Birżebbuġa St Peter’s climbed to second in the standings following a hard-fought victory over ten-man Lija Athletic in an entertaining encounter at the Luxol stadium.

It was substitute Keith Muscat who gave his side a precious victory late in the game even though Lija should consider themselves unlucky not to have taken at least a point from this match. They were practically always at par with their opponents despite playing for an hour with ten men.

It was Birżebbuġa who started strongly as after five minutes they were awarded a free-kick and a fierce drive from Franstijek Schneider graced the crossbar.

On 20 minutes, it was Joe Gerada’s side who threatened again when a Dragan Milovic header was cleared off the line by Andre Scicluna with goalkeeper Etim Aktpan beaten.

Lija responded on 25 minutes but were thwarted by goalkeeper Ivan Casha who came out to block Gilbert Camilleri.

On 32 minutes Ronnie Celeste dashed into the Lija box but was floored by Renato Conceicao.

Referee Clayton Pisani immediately red carded Conceicao and looked to have awarded a free-kick just outside the box. But after consulting assistant referee William Debattista he pointed to the spot much to the disappointment of the Lija players.

Matthew Sciortino stepped up for the kick and drilled the ball home.

On 39 minutes, Birżebbuġa should have doubled their lead when Basil Emeka Onuta beat two defenders, rounded the goalkeeper but drove the ball wide.

Birżebbuġa paid dearly for this miss as two minutes from the break a tussle between Bernard Farrugia and Ige Adesina saw the latter falling inside the area and a second penalty was awarded. Clayton Giordmaina made it one-all.

On resumption it was Birżebbuġa who again started to dictate matters and on 50 minutes it was Onuta who made up for his first-half miss to drive the home from close range.

Lija’s reaction was immediate and after 63 minutes Gilbert Camilleri’s free-kick was tipped over the crossbar by Casha.

Lija drew level on 75 minutes when Adesina fired home from just inside the area following a terrible clearance by Milovic.

But six minutes from time substitute Muscat was brilliantly fed by Mead Mifsud, and the 19-year old drove the ball home.

Lija: I. Aktpan, R. Conceicao, G. Camilleri (E. Briffa), K. Darmanin, B. Camilleri, I. Adesina, B. Fenech (T. Fleri Soler), A. Scicluna, M. Fleri Soler, C. Giordmaina, A. Sacco.

Birzebbuga: I. Casha; N. Tabone, B. Farrugia, D. Milovic, F. Schneider, G. Tanti, K. Borg, M. Sciortino, M. Mifsud, B. Onuta (K. Muscat), R. Celeste.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Matthew Sciortino (Birżebbuġa).