Pietà Hotspurs 0
Lija Athletic 2

Newly-promoted Lija Athletic began their Division One league campaign with a 2-0 win over Pietà courtesy of an Antoine Sacco brace.

Pietà, who were without Zach Muscat, were the better team early on with new signings, Brazilian Robson Luiz Bamdeira and Serbian Stefan Lijaski, very much in evidence.

Jurgen Pisani and Dominic Mifsud tried their luck early on but their efforts failed to trouble Sean Mintoff in the Lija goal.

On 15 minutes, Pietà came close to taking the lead when Quilin Refalo freed Bamdeira but the Brazilian drove wide.

As the first half moved on, Lija came more into the picture. Marco Gerada’s team forged ahead when Admir Dzanovic played a magnificent pass to Sacco who rammed the ball home from close range.

Nine minutes into the second half, Lija doubled their lead. Keith Darmanin’s free-kick fell to Sacco who raced into the box and scored.

Lija opted to control proceedings as Pietà were finding it difficult to penetrate their opponents.

On 75 minutes, Lija suffered a blow when goalkeeper Mintoff was sent off for handling the ball outside the box as he dived at the feet of the advancing Bamdeira.

Despite their numerical handicap, Lija kept their cool to preserve their lead.

Pietà: M. Montfort, C. Spiteri, R. Mifsud, Q. Refalo, R. Bamdeira, S. Grech (D. Camilleri), S. Lijaski, C. Cassar, J. Pisani, D. Mifsud, K. Cassar.

Lija: S. Mintoff, A. Saliba, D. Scerri, A. Sacco, M. Potezica, K. Darmanin, A. Scicluna (K. Formosa), A. Dzanovic, B. Antignolo (L. Bonnici), M. Fleri Soler, T. Fleri Soler (D. Caruana).

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Man of the match: A. Sacco (Lija).