Lija Athletic 3
Birżebbuġa 2

Lija continued to surprise the pundits when they came from behind to beat Birżebbuġa by the odd goal in five yesterday.

Birżebbuġa seemed on their way after a polished first-half display saw them taking the lead. But Lija were a transformed side after the interval with Albanian Erjon Beu taking centre stage with a brace and Andre Scicluna heading home a stoppage-time winner that propelled his team to the top of the standings, level on points with Pietà Hotspurs.

Lija were unlucky not to take the lead inside the first minute when Antoine Sacco’s shot hit the post. But it was Birżebbuġa who forged ahead a few minutes later.

Frantisjek Schneider’s shot was not held by Luke Bonnici and from the rebound Vinicius Pereira Dos Santos bundled the ball into the net.

Beu drove the ball just wide from a good position as Lija tried to hit back. Beu, again, should have put Lija level just before the break but fired over after some clever play from Ige.

Birzebbuġa almost doubled their lead when in a quick break Thiago Mazzitelli released Mead Mifsud whose drive was saved by Bonnici.

Lija persisted in attack and their efforts were rewarded. Beu made it 1-1 on 61 minutes and the Albanian struck again soon after when he moved past a defender to beat keeper Ivan Casha from close in.

This was an open match and parity was restored on 72 minutes when Pereira Dos Santos headed home from a Jurgen Farrugia cross.

But Lija were not to be denied and in stoppage time they were awarded a corner from which Scicluna headed home the winner.

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

Birżebbuġa: I. Casha, K. Borg, J. Farrugia, K. Spiteri, R. Mintoff, F. Schneider (F. Peplow), G. Tanti, T. Mazzitelli, V. Pereira (R. Duca), M. Mifsud, M. Camilleri (D. Pace).

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Man of the match: Erjon Beu (Lija Athletic).

Vittoriosa S. 0
St Andrews 2

St Andrews were back to winning ways as they defeated Vittoriosa Stars by two clear goals to move up to third in the standings, just one point behind joint-leaders Pietà Hotspurs and Lija Athletic.

It was a fine performance from the Saints who put behind them last week’s disappointing defeat to Lija Athletic to prove that they have what it takes to challenge for promotion.

The only sour note was the dismissal of three players late in the match that tainted an enjoyable encounter.

It was St Andrews who threatened first on 13 minutes when Michael Grima’s shot finished just over while at the other end Marcelo Pereira’s drive hit the side-netting.

The Saints took the lead on 32 minutes when Grima beat Vittoriosa goalkeeper Jean Matthias Vella with a low shot.

Vittoriosa hit back and on 36 minutes Adam Spiteri’s volley was well saved by Matthew Towns.

Pereira should have put Vittoriosa level after the break but was denied by the onrushing Towns.

The Saints took control and on 74 minutes they were unlucky not to double their lead when Joseph Farrugia’s shot hit the bar.

Tempers flared five minutes from time with St Andrews’ Farrugia and Larry Lagana, of Vittoriosa, shown the red card.

More woes followed for the Stars as a minute later Siraj Arab was dismissed for hitting an opponent.

St Andrews sealed the points in stoppage time when Trayo Grozev dribbled past Malcolm Buttigieg before firing the ball home.

Vittoriosa: J.M. Vella, L.R. dos Santos, M. Buttigieg, L. Lagana, L. Vella Critien (Siraj Arab), R. Brincat (M. Barbara), A. Spiteri, M. Tabone (S. Grech), M. Pereira, G. Muir, L. Micallef.

St Andrews: M. Towns, N. Chetcuti, B. Diacono, B. Said, P. Briscoe White (N. Vella Petroni), K. Mifsud Bonnici (J.P. Calleja), J. Briscoe White, J. Farrugia, M. Grima, R. Kerekov, T. Grozev.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut

Man of the match: Matthew Towns (St Andrews).