Lija Athletic 4
Birżebbuġa 3

Lija Athletic have stepped up their promotion challenge with a thrilling victory over bottom-placed Birżeb-buġa St Peter’s yesterday.

The match was evenly balanced in the first half but on the restart Lija looked the better side even though Birżebbuġa battled hard to take something from the match.

Birżebbuġa were off to a flier as they took the lead after six minutes. Dylan Kokavessis controlled Gary Caruana’s pass before hitting past Justin Spiteri.

Lija hit back and drew level on 21 minutes. Abdullahi Ige released Nigel Spiteri who beat goalkeeper Andrea Boatto with a low drive.

Lija were in control now and on 29 minutes Ige headed just wide while three minutes later the Nigeria served McAllister Clinch who was denied by Boatto.

On 39 minutes, Lija took the lead when Dylan Mintoff met Cleaven Frendo’s pass to head the ball home.

But their lead lasted three minutes as Clinch was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area and from the spot Jerry Ani made no mistake.

Lija took control of proceedings and they were back in front on 64 minutes when Isaac McCarthy tapped the ball home from close in after some good work by Ige.

On 72 minutes, Lija managed to seal the issue when Frendo scored directly from a free-kick.

Birżebbuġa kept battling and pulled a goal back on 79 minutes through Ani who headed home from close range but somehow Lija held on.

Lija: J. Spiteri, M. Clinch, I. McCarthy (R. Gatt), N. Spiteri, C. Frendo, D. Mintoff, P. Babic, K. Vella, B. Antignolo, A. Ige, J. Francica.

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

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Cleavon Frendo (Lija Athletic).