Lija Athletic 2
Ħamrun Spartans 4

A superb showing by Saturday Nanapere and Haruna Zambuk Garba destroyed Lija Athletic and enabled Ħamrun Spartans to move three points behind leaders Gżira in the standings.

Steve D’Amato’s team took the lead in their first real threat at goal as Nanapere was impeded by Patrick Borg in the box and Alan Tabone made it 1-0 from the spot.

The Spartans doubled their lead thanks to Garba and the score became 3-0 just before half-time when Nanapere rose high to head home from a Tabone corner.

Trevor Cilia failed to make it 4-0 from close in and Lija reduced the arrears on 60 minutes when defender Melvin Busuttil headed past the Spartans goalkeeper for an own goal.

However, Ħamrun soon restored their three-goal lead through Garba.

Lija again reduced the arrears when Erjon Beu dribbled past a defender in the area to shoot home.

However, there was little time left to deny the Spartans from a merited win.

Lija: L. Bonnici, C. Giordimaina, P. Babic, E. Beu, R. Taliana (L. Schembri), M. Borg, M. Clinch, A. Caruana (L. Muscat), P. Borg, J. Garcia Vidal (I. Adeshina), A. Borg.

Ħamrun: D. Cassar, P. Chircop, G. Azzopardi, M. Busuttil, M. Hrubsa, J. Grech, O. Anonam, A. Tabone (E. Briffa), S. Nanapere (M. Mucciardi), T. Cilia (R.Spiteri), H. Garba.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Man of the match: Haruna Zabuk Garba (Ħamrun).

Rabat Ajax 1
Vittoriosa Stars 2

Miljan Milivojev scored a goal of pure quality to help Vittoriosa Stars beat Rabat Ajax in a clash between two mid-table teams.

Aidan Azzopardi almost gave his team an early lead but Stars keeper Karl Magri made a superb save to deny the Magpies.

Rabat held command but against the run of play Vittoriosa took the lead on the half-hour.

Milivojev delivered a perfect ball into the area for Charles Newuche to head home.

The Magpies were stunned even though captain Adam Smeir could have done better just before half-time but he dallied his conclusion.

As expected, Rabat started the second half on the attack but found Karl Magri in their way as he kept out Borg’s effort.

Milivojev saw his scorcher stopped by the Rabat keeper but the latter could do nothing on 65 minutes when the Stars’ Serbian striker found the net with a volley from outside the box.

Unfortunately for Milivojev he had to leave the pitch following a hamstring injury shortly after.

The Stars looked home and dry but in added time Lawrence Chie-dozie halved Rabat’s deficit with an overhead kick inside the box.

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, N. Caruana, J. Caruana, S. Gauci (B. Micallef), W. Borg, C. Vella, A. Smeir, D. Falzon (S. Abela), L. Chiedozie, A. Azzopardi (F. Azzopardi), D. Azzopardi.

Vittoriosa: K. Magri, R. Previ, C. Spiteri, A. Galea (P. Mrvic), D. Fava, M. Lukic, L. Gauci, S. Meilaq, M. Camilleri, M. Milivojev (G. Sultana), C. Newuche (M. Barbara).

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Man of the match: Miljan Mili-vojev (Vittoriosa Stars).

Standings