St Andrews 3
Lija Athletic 2
St Andrew’s overcame the challenge of Lija Athletic in a five-goal thriller to go top of the Division One standings.
The Saints were again inspired by the strong running of Trayo Grozev and Joseph Farrugia as Lija suffered their second successive defeat.
St Andrew’s created the first chance after nine minutes. From a Farrugia corner-kick, Michael Grima’s header finished just over.
On 19 minutes William Barbosa’s drive was pushed away by goalkeeper Kris Calleja.
The stalemate was finally broken on 23 minutes and it was Lija who took the lead.
Ryan Sell’s header came off the bar and from the rebound Andre Grabowski bundled the ball home.
St Andrew’s drew level on the stroke of half-time when Barbosa nodded the ball into the path of Grima who shot past Calleja.
The game kept the same pattern on the restart and Lija regain their lead on 52 minutes when Grabowski picked Adeshina Ige who turned past his marker before burying the ball home.
A minute later Sam Bartolo denied Lija a third goal when he pushed away Grabowski’s effort.
Parity was restored on the hour when from a well-worked free-kick, Barbosa played the ball towards Farrugia who blasted the ball home from a close angle.
However, it was St Andrew’s who grabbed the winner five minutes from time. Grozev beat the offside trap, rounded goalkeeper Calleja before depositing the ball into an empty net.
St Andrews: S. Bartolo, N. Chetcuti, B. Said, D. Gera, J. Briscoe White, J. Farrugia, M. Grima (N. Vella Petroni), A. Amato (M. Johnson), W. Barbosa, E. Lattes, T. Grozev.
Lija: K. Calleja, T. Fleri Soler (F. Zammit), M. Fleri Soler, D. Scerri, R. Sell (D. Mintoff), D. Vukovic, A. Grabowski, E. Briffa, B. Antignolo, K. Alexandrov, A. Ige.
Referee: Malcom Spiteri.
Man of the match: Joseph Farrugia (St. Andrews).
Gudja United 1
Żebbuġ Rangers 3
Żebbuġ Rangers are meeting their expectations as they registered their second consecutive victory after having the better of an improved Gudja side.
Striker John Nwoba changed the course of the game to Zebbuġ’s advantage when he came on for Sergio Hili.
Early on, the game was a balanced affair with chances few and far between.
Gudja had their moments but were not dangerous even though Matthew Groves had an effort saved by Farrugia.
It was Żebbuġ who forged ahead on 28 minutes when Anderson Ribeiro headed firmly into the net from a Kenneth Scicluna cross.
This goal gave more composure to Żebbuġ and on 32 minutes they could have added a second when a Ribeiro header looked destined to hit the net but was cleared off the line by Steven Agius.
Gudja came close to an equaliser on 37 minutes when Anthony Ewurum’s fierce drive was well saved by Farrugia.
Żebbuġ started the second half very well with a Mauricio Britto drive sailing over the crossbar while substitute Nwoba had his effort turned away for a corner by Xerxen.
From the ensuing corner, Nwoba’s header was blocked by Groves and Britto went in like a flash to head home.
A minute later Gudja came back into the game when a tremendous drive by Ryan Dalli finished into the back of the net.
But Żebbuġ made the game safe on 57 minutes when Nwoba darted into the area and was brought down by Ranier Buhagiar.
From the penalty, Britto blasted the ball home.
Gudja: M. Xerxen, D. D’Agostino, C. Farrugia, A. Scigliano (E. Bugeja), R. Buhagiar, K. Azzopardi, S. Agius, R. Dalli, M. Brincat, A. Ewurun, M. Groves (D. Buzzaccheta).
Żebbuġ: J. Farrugia, L. Camilleri, L. Galea, M. Francica, K. Scicluna, M. Farrugia, T. Paris (B. Chetcuti), S. Hili (J. Nwoba), M. Britto Rodrigues, A. Tabone, A. Ribeiro (R. De Barros Consan).
Referee: Matthew Degabriele.
Man of the match: John Nwoba (Żebbuġ).