St Andrew’s 1
Lija Athletic 3

A strong first-half performance propelled Lija Athletic to their first win of the season at the expense of St Andrew’s.

Marco Gerada’s team struck three times during the opening 45 minutes and then successfully administered their handsome lead after the break to secure the three points.

Lija started to impose their game from the early stages and on 14 minutes Antoine Sacco saw his header well blocked by St Andrew’s goalkeeper Daniel Balzan.

In their next attack Lija found the breakthrough as on 18 minutes Gilbert Camilleri headed the ball past Balzan.

Camilleri was again close a minute later when turned well but his shot was pushed away by the Saints goalkeeper.

St Andrew’s almost equalised two minutes later when Kurt Coleiro was first to Valdo Alinho’s corner but his close-range shot was cleared off the line by the Lija defenders.

Lija doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Erjon Beu’s fierce drive flew past Balzan and into the net.

St Andrew’s were stunned and they conceded again on the stroke of half-time when Keith Darmanin’s free-kick beat Balzan.

St Andrews were an improved lot early on the restart and on 55 minutes Nicky Vella Petroni picked up a loose ball from the edge of the area to shoot home with the ball hitting the roof of the net.

The Saints continued to attack and on 18 minutes Arafa Nakuaa brought the best out of Joswel Caruana from a William Camilleri cross.

Lija were reduced to ten men late on when Jean Paul Scerri was dismissed for dissent but despite this setback they still managed to hold on to their lead.

St Andrews: D. Balzan, N. Chetcuti, K. Galea (W. Camilleri), T. Lindberg, B. Said, A. Nakuaa, M. Ellul, M. Calleja (A. Amato), V. Alinho Goncalves, N. Vella Petroni, K. Coleiro (M. Grima).

Lija: J. Caruana; R. Conceicao, D. Scerri, E. Beu, G. Camilleri (C. Giordmaina) K. Darmanin, B.Camilleri (T. Fleri Soler), J.P. Scerri, B. Fenech, A. Scicluna, A.Sacco (I. Adesina).

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

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

Standings