Saints win on penalties

Lija Athletic 1
St George’s 1
(aet; St George’s win 5-4 on pens)

St George’s progressed to the last eight of the cup after battling past 10-man Lija in the only all-Division One clash of the fourth round.

Lija defender Andre Scicluna experienced the agony of seeing his penalty rattling the crossbar after a sequence of six spot-kicks each.

After a quiet opening, St George’s striker Jonathan Ruiz opened the score with an astonishing goal on 20 minutes when he spotted Etim Akpan Ini off his line and beat him with a looping shot from more than 25 metres out.

The Saints began to impose themselves on the game and Leonardo’s long-range missile was blocked by the Lija rearguard.

From the possibility of going 0-2 down, Lija almost drew level just before half-time but the woodwork denied them the equaliser.

Renato Conceicao’s thunderbolt from a free-kick swerved beyond keeper Ryan Marmara but crashed against the post.

The second half never really got going. The Saints, in particular, failed to create any decent attempts at goal.

On 68 minutes, Keith Darmanin floated an inviting ball inside the penalty area and Lija striker Gilbert Camilleri towered above his opponent to head just wide.

A few moments later, the unmarked Timothy Fleri Soler incredibly blasted his effort wide to the relief of the St George’s clan.

But, Lija were handed a lifeline five minutes from time when Marmara was judged to have floored Darmanin inside the box. The former Floriana striker picked himself up to send the keeper the wrong way to level matters.

Deep into stoppage time, Lija were reduced to ten men when Camilleri was sent off for a second bookable offence as the match dragged into extra time.

However, St George’s barely had a glimpse of the Lija goal and their hopes of making their numerical supremacy failed to materalise.

With the penalties looming, Lija’s Conceicao hit the post from the distance.

Lija: E. Aktpan Ini, T. Fleri Soler, C. Giordimaina, D. Scerri, E. Beu (64 E. Briffa), R. Conceicao, G. Camilleri, K. Darmanin, A. Scicluna, M. Fleri Soler, A. Ige.

St George’s: R. Marmara, C. Grech, A. Bonello, E. Sevasta, A. Abela, Leonardo, E. Amaira, H. Schembri, D. Zarb (81 R. Boutahir), J. Ruiz (109 N. Curmi), W. De Azevedo (74 G. Bonello).

Referee: Marco Borg.

Red card: Camilleri (L) 90.