Mqabba 3
Lija 1

Thiago Mazitelli was the star performer for Mqabba yesterday as his brace helped his team register a precious victory over Lija Athletic that kept them well on course for promotion to the Premier League next season.

Lija were at par with Mqabba in the first 45 minutes but as time passed, they became too modest and had no reply to Mqabba’s fast insertions.

Both teams went on the offensive early on with John Paul Muscat seeing his shot blocked by goalkeeper Sean Mintoff while at the other end Mqabba keeper Kris Calleja was at his best to keep out a Marko Potezica shot.

On 25 minutes, Mazitelli came close but his header flew just over.

Just before the break Wayne Borg St John had a great chance for Lija but failed to control the ball when it mattered after a good throughball from Kurt Formosa.

Mqabba forged ahead on 53 minutes when Muscat, found space in the Lija area and slotted the ball past the onrushing Mintoff.

But Mqabba’s joy was shortlived as five minutes later Daniel Scerri headed in the equaliser from a Keith Darmanin delivery.

Mqabba regained their lead on the hour. Muscat released Mazitelli who unleashed a low shot that rolled into the net.

Now it was all Mqabba and on 67 minutes a Marlon Briffa cross-shot beat Mintoff but somehow Formosa cleared the ball off the line.

But with 20 minutes to go Mqabba made the game safe thanks to a good move between Briffa and Caushi, the Albanian sprinted into the area and his shot was partially blocked by Mintoff and from the rebound Mazitelli buried the ball home.

There was no coming back for Lija as Mqabba easily administered their advantage to run out comfortable winners.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, P. Grima, M. Bonnici, A. Scicluna, B. Timotic, D. Azzopardi, T. Mazitelli, J.P. Muscat (C. Calleja), I. Curmi (M. Briffa), W. Caushi (A. Cakigi), S. Magro.

Lija: S. Mintoff, M. Camilleri, M. Fleri Soler, D. Scerri, A. Sacco (A. Saliba), M. Potezica, W. Borg St John (A. Buhagiar), K. Darmanin, K. Formosa (B. Antignolo), A. Scicluna, A. Dzanovic.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Man of the match: Thiago Mazitelli (Mqabba).