Vittoriosa Stars 1
Marsa 4
Ramon Zammit enjoyed a perfect start as new coach of Marsa as the Red Blues stunned promotion seekers Vittoriosa Stars, yesterday.
The win enabled Marsa to distance themselves from the drop zone as they are now nine points clear of second-from bottom Fgura.
Marsa took just 17 minutes to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty.
Gilbert Martin sped into the area but was upended by Andreas Galea. From the spot, Rodney Refalo drilled the ball home.
The Stars managed to equalise on 22 minutes. Marsa goalkeeper Leighton Mifsud misjudged Liam Gauci’s cross and in came Jamie Pace to head home.
But Marsa restored their lead ten minutes later.
A misunderstanding between Dion Fava and Clive Spiteri opened the way for Martin to hit a low shot past Karl Magri.
Marsa struck again on 57 minutes. Mark Gauci’s inswinger came off the bar and bounced into the net.
Robert Cassar’s Stars pressed forward to try and reopen the match but it was Marsa who added a fourth goal.
Luis Andre De Melo Lima slotted the ball home following a Tomas Andrade cross.
Vittoriosa: K. Magri, R. Previ, J. Pace, L. Gauci (L. Grech), O. Obiefule, D. Pisani, D. Fava, P. Mrvic (J. J. Ogonnuppe), A. Farrugia, A. Galea (C. Cassar), C. Spiteri.
Marsa: L. Mifsud, M. Busuttil, G. Sultana, B. Essiel, R. Mifsud, M. Gauci (S. Meilak), J. Farrugia, E. Vella, L.A. De Melo Lima, R. Refalo, G. Martin (T. Andrade).
Referee: Alex Johnson.
Best player: Luis Melo Lima (Marsa).
Fgura United 0
Lija Athletic 4
Lija maintained their promotion challenge with a comfortable victory over Fgura United.
The result was harsh on Fgura who came close to scoring on several occasions, hitting the post twice and also missed a penalty.
It was Lija who forged ahead on 33 minutes. Erjon Beu found Lee Joe Schembri who was brought down in the area by goalkeeper Bartolo and from the spot Beu drilled the ball home.
Lija made it 2-0 on 48 minutes. Dandolo’s shot hit the bar and from the rebound Schembri headed past Bartolo.
Fgura were unlucky on 58 minutes when Cleaven Frendo’s inswinger came off the bar.
But two minutes later Lija put the game to bed when Abubaker Bello-Osagie moved past two players before hitting the ball into the net.
Fgura were denied by the woodwork a second time when Okpokwu’s header came off the upright.
On 78 minutes, Fgura were awarded a penalty but Frendo’s effort was saved by Bonnici.
In injury time, Lija added a fourth when Predrag Babic scored directly from a free-kick.
Fgura: B. Bartolo, C. Fenech (C. Ciantar), M. Barbosa, K. Vella, M. Gauci, M. Spiteri, J. Barbara (R. De Fex Marriaga), W. Chircop (D. Aquilina), J. Dalli, C. Frendo, E. Okpokwu.
Lija: L. Bonnici, C. Cassar, P. Babic, L. Muscat (M. Clinch), D. Scerri, E. Beu, L.J. Schembri (A. Sammut), L. Zahra, A. Bello-Osagie, P. Dandolo (A. Galea), A. Borg.
Referee: Jude Amin Utulu.
Best player: Lee Joe Schembri (Lija).