Pietà Hotspurs 0
Lija Athletic 2

Lija Athletic bounced back from their 4-1 upset to Marsaxlokk as they beat Pietà Hotspurs 2-0 to go top of the Division One table.

After dominating the first half, Brian Spiteri’s team contained Pietà’s flurry after the break. The Hotspurs had a great opportunity to get back into contention but they missed a penalty and their hopes evaporated.

Lija had the better of the first half. After four minutes, Rosalino de Almeida missed a good chance when shooting over from close in.

Four minutes later, Lija forged ahead when Erjon Beu beat Hotspurs goalkeeper Miguel Montfort with a good shot from the edge of the area.

As Pietà failed to react, Lija continued to dictate matters with the Albanian striker coming close to scoring his second on 16 minutes but his free-kick ended just wide.

Three minutes later, Pietà responded when a Quilin Refalo grounder, from a Cleaven Frendo corner, just missed the target.

Lija stunned their opponents midway through the first half when they doubled their lead thanks to Abdullahi Ige who slotted home from close range after De Almeida rounded Montfort.

Lifted by their two-goal advantage, Lija continued to play fast and flowing football.

Seven minutes from half-time, Beu’s grounder was off target and, at the other end, Frendo’s first-time effort from outside the area was high.

Pietà saw more of the ball in the second half but were rarely dangerous as Lija crowded their midfield and defended well.

The Hotspurs thought they had gained a lifeline when, on 71 minutes, they won a penalty after Ige tripped Jonathan Zarate in the box. From the spot, Raphael Kooh-Sohna hit the crossbar.

Pietà continued to push men forward and five minutes before the end, Kooh-Sohna’s darting run finished with the Cameroonian striker driving the ball onto a post.

Two minutes into stoppage time, Ige jinked his way through and lobbed Montfort but the ball came off the crossbar.

Pietà: M. Montfort, C. Spiteri (I. Grech), H. Madsen, R. Kooh-Sohna, J. Pisani (T. Agius), C. Cassar, J. Zarate, Q. Refalo (L. Mallia), C. Grech, A. Spiteri, C. Frendo.

Lija: L. Bonnici, C. Giordemaina, M. Fleri Soler, D. Scerri, E. Beu (A. Mercieca), B. Camilleri (E. Briffa), B. Fenech, A. Scicluna, B. Antignolo, A. Ige, Rosalino de Almeida (A. Sacco).

Referee: Jude Ameen Utulu.

Man of the match: Abdullahi Ige (Lija).