Santa Lucia-Qrendi 3-0
Santa Lucia: R. Caruana, C. Andres, M. Caruana (M. Gatt 80'), N. Spiteri, P. Lapira, K. Vella, J. Suda (L. Galea 60'), K. Duvan (J. Mendoza 69'), J. Magri Overend, D. Paiber, P. Teixeira.
Qrendi: J. Farrugia, D. Micallef, C. Caruana, L. Scorfna, R. Dalli (D. Sammut 57'), Z. Bowman, D. Zarb (B. Bondin, 70'), D. Martini (J.P. Vargas 48'), J. Spiteri, C. Quaranta, J. da SIlva Silveira.
Referee: Glen Tonna
Scorers: P. Lapira 37', J. Suda 43', J.P. Teixeira 46'.
After numerous seasons in the Second Division, Santa Lucia returned with a band in the First Division, easily disposing of Qrendi in a one sided affair.
Qrendi were completely blotted out of the game, evn though they were rather unlucky when they hit the upright on 33 minutes in the first attaempt of the game.
But then Santa Lucia scored the goals that mattered in a quick nine-minute burst near the end of the firts half and begining of the second.
After suffering these quick goals Qrendi never recovered and were saved from a severe drubbing by their goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia who some brilliant saves tried to keep the boat floating.
Sirens-Marsa 2-1
Sirens: M. Montfort, K. Farrugia, R. Mandic, D. Sant, J. Nwoba (M. Del Negro 61'), M. Micallef (G. Spiteri 81'), M.A. Morgan Filho, M.A. Bustos (L. Mijic 65'), C. Gauci, L. Galea, A. Adeshina Ige.
Marsa: A. Roppas, M. Busuttil, S. Eboh (E. Bonello 50'), M. Gauci, C. Cassar, E. Grech, L. Friggieri (C. Cardona 55'), E. Cutajar, N.A. Micallef, A. Agius, L. Chiedozie.
Referee: Alex Johnson
Scorers: J. Nwoba 6' (S), M.A. Bustos 57' (S), A. Agius 86' pen (M)
Marsa did too little too late yesterday as their late rally failed to give the desired fruit. To be fair Sirens dominated the match for long stretches and fully deserved their victory.
It was a polished display at times from Vince Carbonaro's side who showed some good flowing attacking football with Morgon Filho showing some neat touches. Sirens took an early and doubled the score early in the second half, missing a couple of other good scoring opportunities to kill off the match.
Marsa had some good runs from Chiedozie especially in the first half, but Giorev's boys only came to life late in the game. They pushed their opponents in their own half but only pulled one with a late penalty.
Naxxar-Lija 2-2
Naxxar L: O. Borg, R. Mercieca, M. Fenech, M. Mifsud, J. Debono, D. Bonnici, R. Cassar, D, Belhadj, S. Nanapere, S. Meilak, M. Belhadj (J. Ellul 78')
Lija A: L. Bonnici, C. Cassar, L. Muscat, D. Scerri, E. Beu, A. Borg, A. Bello Osagie (K. Kuroki 78'), M. Clinch, L. Soares, A. Galea (Z. Valletta 11'), J. Lee Schembri (A. Azzopardi 69')
Referee: Alan Mario Sant
Scorers: S. Nanapere 1' (N), A. Bello Osagie 15' (L), J. Debono 32' (N), E. Beu 50' (L)
The First Division season started with a bang yesterday when Lija Athletic and Naxxar Lions shared four goals in a highly spectacular match. This match pitted two teams relegated from the Premier League last season, and was a real thriller especially in the first hour.
Credit goes to Lija Athletic who played for 80 minutes with a man less after their goalkeeper Luke Bonnici was sent off after barely ten minutes.
Saturday Nanapere played a good game for the Lions but Lija's substitute goalkeeper Valletta was outstanding with a string of great saves.Erjon Beu too confirmed he is an asset to the side obtaining the second equaliser in the second half.