Vittoriosa Stars 3
Lija Athletic 2

A Timothy Fleri Soler own goal condemned a plucky Lija side to defeat in this direct promotion clash with Vittoriosa, yesterday.

Victory put the Stars temporarily on top of the standings while Lija’s chances suffered a setback as they’re now four points off the pace.

Vittoriosa were arguably the better side on the field of play but Lija gave their opponents a good run for their money. However, Erjon Beu’s sending-off in the second half, a harsh decision for some, took its toll on Brian Spiteri’s side who managed to score an equaliser only to be foiled by an unlucky incident in their box late on.

Lija took an early lead when, from a Beu free-kick, Ige scored from an acute angle.

Vittoriosa made an immediate reaction and scored an equaliser on 11 minutes. Mark Barbara’s cross found Gary Muir completely unmarked and his shot on the turn gave the keeper no chance.

Vittoriosa continued to attack and a Vella Critien effort was turned into a corner by Luke Bonnici. From the flag-kick, Matthew Tabone’s header was cleared off the goal-line by Evano Briffa.

On 25 minutes, a fierce Muir drive was saved by Bonnici as Vittoriosa continued to hold the upperhand.

Lija defended stoutly, though, and were dangerous with fast breaks.

A minute into the second half, Vittoriosa forged ahead. Marcelo Pereira dashed through from the right flank and beat Bonnici with a rasping grounder.

Lija tried to get back in it but on 64 minutes, they suffered a setback when Beu was shown a second yellow for simulation.

Vittoriosa almost took instant advantage but a Muir scorcher was superbly saved by Bonnici.

Then, on 76 minutes, Lija grabbed an equaliser with a Leontiev Konda goal. He fired home from close range.

However, Lija’s joy was short-lived as, in their next attack, Vittoriosa were back in front after Fleri Soler inadvertently headed past his own goalkeeper to hand the initiative back to the Stars.

Vittoriosa: S. Cini, R. Dos Santos, M. Barbara (Samir Arab), M. Pereira, Siraj Arab (A. Spiteri), L. Vella Critien, G. Muir, M. Tabone, R. Brincat (M. Buttigieg), L. Micallef, J. Camilleri.

Lija: L. Bonnici, C. Giordemaina, T. Fleri Soler, D. Scerri, E. Beu, D. Vukovic, E. Briffa, D. Mintoff (B. Fenech), B. Antignolo (R. Saverino Goncalves), A. Ige, A. Sacco (L. Konda).

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Man of the match: Marcelo Pereira (Vittoriosa Stars).

Pietà Hotspurs 4
Birżebbuġa 0

This was an easy ride for promotion seekers Pietà Hotspurs against the relegation-troubled Birżebbuġa who had a player sent off in the opening half and also missed a penalty after the break.

Pietà could have easily gone in front early on when Raphael Kooh Sohna was a whisker away from target with a fine shot after some good work by Senior David. At the other end, Vinicius Pereira Dos Santos’s effort also flashed wide with keeper Miguel Montfort beaten.

On 24 minutes, Kooh Sohna found space in the penalty area but was floored by Ryan Mintoff. A penalty was given and Mintoff was sent off. David made no mistake from the spot to open the scoring.

Pereira Dos Santos rifled his shot well over the bar from close in and a Thiago Mazzitelli free-kick was stopped by Montfort as Birżebbuġa refused to throw in the towel.

However, eight minutes after the restart, Pietà made it 2-0 after a Felix Peplow own goal in an attempt to clear a Cleaven Frendo corner.

Birżebbuġa could have got back into business soon after when Pereira Dos Santos was brought down in the box by Christian Grech. However, Pereira Dos Santos’s shot smacked against the woodwork.

Pietà made sure of the points late on thanks to substitute Karl Cutajar. He scored the best goal of the game – a half-volley from 25 metres out that flew past Ivan Casha.

In stoppage time it became 4-0 as Jurgen Pisani beat Casha with a low drive. Pisani could have added a fifth but his effort hit the Birżebbuġa upright.

Pietà: M. Montfort, C. Cassar, M. Borg, J. Zarate, S. David, R. Kooh Sohna (L. Mallia), C. Grech, J. Pisani, T. Agius (A. Spiteri), Q. Refalo, C. Frendo (K. Cutajar).

Birżebbuġa: I. Casha, R. Mintoff, M. Hrubsa, K. Borg, F. Peplow, V. Pereira Dos Santos, J. Farrugia, M. Deanov (R. Duca), R. Micallef, M. Mifsud (M. Camilleri), T. Mazzitelli (M. Rizzolo Brisolla).

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Man of the match: Senior David (Pietà Hotspurs).

Standings