Lija Athletic 2
Żejtun Corinthians 0

Lija went top of the standings after beating Żejtun following a polished display in a clash between two sides aiming for promotion.

Despite playing without the suspended Erjon Beu, Lija were still good enough to outsmart Żejtun who had Steve Simtchatcha making his debut.

Żejtun were forced to make two early changes but were never really in the match as Lija looked solid in defence and particularly dominant in midfield with Evano Briffa, Daniel Scerri and Beppe Antignolo all in fine form.

Lija took the lead on 14 minutes. Amadeo Mercieca received an inviting ball from Benoir Fenech before hitting home past keeper Ranier Farrugia from a closed angle.

Żejtun’s reaction never materialized. They lacked vision and lost some composure when Vukovic limped off injured.

Without Beu, Abdullahi Ige took a major role in Lija’s forward line and went close to scoring his team’s second goal when he dribbled his way past a couple of defenders but his shot was stopped by Farrugia.

Ige then collected an Antignolo pass, dribbled past Farrugia and directed the ball towards Antoine Sacco whose effort was cleared off the line by Charlò Magro.

The second half started with another strong Ige run but his shot went off target.

Gradually, Żejtun lifted their game as Lija decided to administer their slender lead. On 54 minutes Hamza Chaib’s deflected shot was blocked by Bonnici.

However, Lija were never in danger. Ige was a constant menace for the Żejtun defence and six minutes from time he dashed through before releasing Andre Scicluna who failed miserably in front of goal.

However, Scicluna made amends on 86 minutes when he sealed the issue with Lija’s second goal, hammering home from close range from a Benjamin Camilleri free-kick.

Lija: L. Bonnici, C. Giordmaina, M. Fleri Soler, D. Scerri, E. Briffa, B. Fenech, A. Scicluna, A. Mercieca (B. Camilleri), B. Antignolo (R. De Almeida), A. Ige, A. Sacco (T. Fleri Soler).

Żejtun: R. Farrugia, A. Farrugia, D. Zahra, Z. Vukovic (H. Chaib), K. Vassallo, C. Magro, D. Zarb (K. Zahra), S. Simtchatcha (B. Gockaj), K. Abela, O. Majtara, A. Carabott.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Abdullahi Ige (Lija Athletic).

Naxxar Lions 2
Gudja United 2

Ten-man Naxxar Lions earned a point against newly-promoted Gudja.

The match turned out to be an entertaining affair with Gudja twice taking the lead, but Naxxar rallied back and saved the game with an Angus Buhagiar brace.

The result lifted Naxxar into second place alongside St Andrew’s who, however, played a game less, whilst Gudja now have 12 points and join Żejtun in mid-table.

Gudja threatened after two minutes when Aleksandrov’s header was brilliantly saved by Pecorella and from the rebound Kurtusic was denied by the Naxxar keeper.

Naxxar could have taken the lead two minutes later when Ewurun’s shot came off the post.

Gudja surged ahead on 25 minutes when Ryan Sell sped through and beat the onrushing Pecorella.

Naxxar drew level 10 minutes later when Sunday Eboh nodded the ball into the path of Buhagiar who scored with a low drive.

On the restart, Naxxar took the initiative but their hopes were hit on 56 minutes when Eboh fouled the goalbound Sell in the area and was dismissed.

From the resulting penalty Aleksandrov gave Pecorella no chance.

Despite being a man down Naxxar were back on level terms eight minutes later when Buhagiar headed home from a Pablo Doffo corner-kick.

The Lions could have won it on 72 minutes when Serino Junior’s long-range shot was pushed away by Xerxen.

Naxxar: L. Pecorella, L. Micallef (D. Falzon), J. Vella, P. Doffo, S. Eboh, K. Drago, B. Serino Junior, M. Del Negro, G. Camilleri, A. Buhagiar, A. Ewurun.

Gudja: M. Xerxen, R. Buhagiar, E. Vella, J. Tonna, F. Owusu, (R. Kovachev), K. Bonello, K. Azzopardi, G. Chircop (D. Bonnici)(P.P. Sammut), I. Kurtusic, R. Sell, K. Aleksandrov.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Man of the match: Angus Buhagiar (Naxxar Lions).

Standings