Naxxar Lions 1
Rabat Ajax 2

Adam Smeir’s goal six minutes from time gave Rabat Ajax a crucial win over Naxxar Lions yesterday and lifted them to second in the standings, a point behind leaders Pietà and two ahead of third-placed Melita.

The Lions were coming from two consecutive wins under new mentor Winston Muscat but yesterday Rabat clinched all three points to bounce back from their upset to Żejtun.

Despite being without the influential Arlindo Rustemi, who was serving suspension, and the injured Joe Cornforth, Rabat still produced some flowing football to confirm their true potential.

The Magpies forged ahead on 33 minutes when Justin Felice hammered the ball in from close range after connecting with Smeir’s centre.

Rabat remained the better side and with five minutes to go before the interval, Smeir almost made it 2-0 but his effort whizzed past the wrong side of the upright.

The Lions looked much better after the restart and drew level on 52 minutes with a fine looping Darren Falzon header from an Edilson Fiori dos Santos cross.

Naxxar grew in stature and a Boris Odwong inswinger almost had the better of the Rabat keeper. The Lions then shouted ‘penalty’ for a presumed handling infringement inside the Magpies’ box from a Falzon shot but referee Mario Apap deemed otherwise.

At the other end, Smeir’s shot from an angle was stopped by Justin Spiteri but the Lions keeper was beaten on 84 minutes.

Ryan Micallef’s ball into the box was fluffed by Spiteri and team-mate Lydon Micallef and Smeir was on the right spot to hit home.

Naxxar: J. Spiteri, V. Bellia, M. Del Negro, D. Falzon, A. Farrugia, R. Schembri, L. Micallef, A. Attard, H. De Lima Siqueira (R. De Sousa), E. Fiori Dos Santos (M. Maccari) B. Odwong.

Rabat: S. Mintoff, N. Caruana, C. Schembri, J. Caruana, J. Felice (D. Azzopardi), A. Smeir, D. Falzon, C. Muscat, V. Caushi (R. Micallef), Y. Cauchi, C. Gauci (A. Zahra).

Referee: Mario Apap.

Man of the match: Adam Smeir (Rabat Ajax).

Lija Athletic 4
St George’s 1

Three late goals in the space of five minutes gave Lija three priceless points at the expense of fellow strugglers St George’s in a match played at high tempo in the first half only for the pace to drop in the second.

St George’s couldn’t have started the game on a better note when, after just two minutes, defender Neil Curmi blasted the ball home after receiving an inviting pass from Glenn Bonello.

The Saints’ joy was short-lived, though, as nine minutes later Antoine Sacco rose high to head home the equaliser from a Thomas Caruana corner.

Marco Gerada’s Lija were now in control and Abdullahi Adeshina Ige hit the foot of the Saints’ post from close range. A minute later Ige’s header finished just over the bar from Sacco’s cross.

St George’s, still without a coach, hit back with a Jonathan Ruiz attempt that just missed the target. The Cospicua outfit went close again when a Keith Darmanin free-kick brushed against the crossbar.

There was nothing of note for much of the second half with the first scoring opportunity coming Lija’s way when substitute Daniel Mizzi’s inswinger ended just wide.

Then, with six minutes left, Sacco made it 2-1 as the Lija striker was too quick for the Saints rearguard before shooting home from close range. Three minutes later substitute Gilbert Camilleri blasted the ball into the net after a short clearance by the St George’s defence.

A minute from time, Emmanuel Sevasta brought down Conceicao in the area and a penalty was given. Camilleri stepped up to round the score for Lija.

Lija: E. Ini, C. Giordmaina, D. Scerri, R. Conceicao, K. Darmanin (D. Mizzi), J.P. Scerri, A. Scicluna, T. Caruana (G. Camilleri), M. Fleri Soler, A. Ige, A. Sacco.

St George’s: R. Mercieca, C. Grech, H. Schembri (G. Inguanez), E. Sevasta, A. Abela (K. Grech), N. Curmi, E. Amaira, D. Zarb, M. Zbiba (R. Boutahir), G. Bonello, J. Ruiz.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Man of the match: Gilbert Camilleri (Lija Athletic).

Standings