Lija Athletic 0
Vittoriosa Stars 2

This was a deserved victory for Vittoriosa Stars as Anthony Eviparker scored a brace to lower Lija’s colours at the Centenary Stadium, yesterday.

The side from Cottonera dominated most of the proceedings even though Lija missed a second-half penalty, an episode that could have changed the face of the game.

With the wind behind their backs, Vittoriosa saw more of the ball in the opening half. They threatened as early as the third minute when a Vittorio Di Maggio free-kick finished just wide.

Ryan Mifsud’s effort from outside the Lija box was stopped by keeper Justin Spiteri and then it was Mark Barbara whose drive from 25 metres out whizzed past the Lija upright.

On 32 minutes, Brian Spiteri’s Vittoriosa opened the scoring from a counter-attack that finished with Eviparker hitting his shot past Spiteri after an excellent ball from Gilbert Martin.

Lija failed to react and Vittoriosa continued to hold the upperhand.

A Di Maggio free-kick was saved by Spiteri and just before half-time the Lija keeper was again in evidence to deny Eviparker with a smart save.

Vittoriosa still looked the better team after the break but Lija improved. They finally managed a decent effort at goal, a Cleavon Frendo free-kick that sailed over the bar.

Lija were awarded a penalty on 63 minutes when Mifsud tripped Abdullahi Ige in the box. Frendo took the spot-kick but Karl Magri dived the right way to keep his net intact.

There was little action worthy of note until the 83rd minute when Martin was fouled by Patrick Borg on his way to goal. Vittoriosa were awarded a penalty and Borg was sent off.

From the spot, Eviparker sent Spiteri the wrong way to double Vittoriosa’s advantage.

Late on, Eviparker could have crowned his day with a hat-trick but fired wide in front of a gaping goal.

Lija: J. Spiteri, P. Borg, E. Beu, K. Vella, L. Casha, C. Frendo, M. Clinch (D. Mintoff), I. McCarthy, B. Antignolo (P. Babic), A. Ige, J. Francica.

Vittoriosa: K. Magri, M. Barbara (S. Grech), F. Arriagada Mella, K. Scicluna, G. Martin, R. Mifsud (L. Vella Critien), C. Spiteri, C. Sammut, V. Di Maggio (L. Gauci), A. Eviparker, M. Buttigieg.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Man of the match: Anthony Evi-parker (Vittoriosa Stars).

Birżebbuġa St Peter’s 0
Msida St Joseph 1

Msida St Joseph beat fellow strugglers Birżebbuġa St Peter’s in a basement clash thanks to a first-half goal scored by Stacey Vella.

The match never really reached high standards as Birżebbuġa remain at the bottom of the table and still in search of their first victory this season.

For Msida, this was a vital victory that lifts them above Rabat in the table even though the Saints have to improve considerably to avoid the drop.

Birżebbuġa had an auspicious start, going close twice through Jeremiah Ani, who missed a sitter, and Gilbert Camilleri whose effort just missed the upright.

Msida had their first attempt on 10 minutes when Aleksandar Sofranac’s header, from a corner, went wide.

On 22 minutes Zvesdan Vukovic found Dino Cachia but his shot was stopped by goalkeeper An-drea Boatto.

Msida then created a good chance but Renie Forace blasted over from an acute angle.

On the half hour, Msida could have taken the lead but Faria lobbed over when free in front of goal.

Birżebbuġa had a Dylan Kokavessis effort finishing wide and on 42 minutes, Vukovic had his in-swinger cleared off the goal line by defender Leone Camilleri.

A goal was in the offing though and two minutes later Msida grabbed a deserved lead when Vella headed the ball into the net from a corner.

On resumption, Msida elected to defend their slender lead as Birżebbuġa pushed forward for the equaliser.

However, the southenders were never dangerous with their only shot at goal coming from Ani after a Vella blunder in midfield.

Six minutes from time Birżeb-buġa’s woes were compounded when Camilleri was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Birżebbuġa: A. Boatto, G. Camilleri (K. Muscat), J. Briffa, D. Kokavessis (G. Magri), L. Camilleri, L. Micallef, N. Clerico (P. Camilleri), E. Bonati, G. Caruana, J. Ani, S. Eboh.

Msida: K. Rizzo, Z. Vukovic, R. Forace, R. Faria, A. Sofranac (C. Murakami), D. Attard (L. Micallef), M. Borda, S. Vella, D. Cachia (I. Chircop), G. Vella, L. Cassar.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Man of the match: Stacey Vella (Msida St Joseph).

Standings

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Melita	7	5	0	2	12	8	15
Gudja Utd	7	4	2	1	19	7	14
Vittoriosa	8	4	2	2	13	7	14
St Andrew’s	7	4	1	2	17	15	13
Lija Athletic	8	4	0	4	13	9	12
Mqabba	7	4	0	3	14	11	12
Pembroke	7	3	2	2	15	7	11
Gżira Utd	7	3	1	3	12	13	10
Fgura Utd	7	2	3	2	8	9	9
Żurrieq	7	3	0	4	10	12	9
St George’s	7	3	0	4	10	13	9
Msida SJ	8	3	0	5	7	19	9
Rabat Ajax	7	2	2	3	5	10	8
Birżebbuġa	8	0	1	7	7	22	1