LIJA A.                     2
PEMBROKE A.          1

Lija A: L. Bonnici, C. Cassar, A. White, L. Muscat, C. Giordemaina, A. Borg, A. Galea (D. Scerri 78'), C. Gauci, K. Seakanyeng, E. Beu, H. Palomino.

Pembroke A: P. Schranz, G. Azzopardi, D. Isakovic (M. Brincat 72'), Y. Shaba, A. Sultana, T. Fenech, D. Camilleri, N. Frendo, J. Pedrinho, Y. Tonna (A. Smeir 80'), J.P. Mifsud Triganza.

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann

Scorers: Erjon Beu 3', 74, Joao Pedro Pedrinho 6'

Lija Athletic started the season on a positive note beating Pembroke by the odd goal in three in a keenly contested encounter. Lija's hero was Albanian import Erjon Beu who scored a goal in each half to secure his side's first three points.

The match had an explosive start with Beu opened the score on three minutes with a long distance drive that completely deceived the Pembroke custodian. But three minutes later Pembroke were back on level terms when Joao Pedro fired home from close range following a corner action.

Both teams had some good scoring opportunities and on 74 minutes Lija scored the winner when Seakanyang passed towards Beu who made no mistake in front of Schranz.

 

Żejtun C               1
Żebbuġ R.             1

Żejtun C: C. Cassar, J. Cassar, D. Sowatey, K. Farrugia, J. Busuttil, D. Agius, R. De fex Marriaga (M. Pereira Muniz 77'), J. Suda, A. Mizzi, A. Carabott, R. Do Nascimento Santos (J.J. Oggunupe 76').

Żebbuġ R: M. Grech, D. Fava, C. Brincat, R. Vella, G. Gesualdi, N. Ojuola, S. Darmanin, M. Del Negro,S. Buhagiar, M. Fagbeja (A. Williams 79'), S. Nanapere.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri

Scorers: Santos Ribeiro Do Nascimento 54', Randall Vella 81' pen

A late penalty saved Zebbug Rangers yesterday against Zejtun in an intereseting encounter before two possible promotion candidates. Although at such an early stage in the season, both teams are considered as favourites for a place in the Premier league next season.

In the end the draw can be considered as a fair result as neither team deserved to leave the field of play empty handed. The match was rather tense with both sides determined to grab the first three points of the season.

The first fourty five minutes did not produce any goals, and not too much thrills either. Zejtun were more aggressive and had more of the ball. Scoring chances were very few with the best chance of the first half coming Zejtun's way just three minutes before the break.

A Dylan Agius scorcher was partially blocked by Zebbug goalkeeper Grech with the ball coming to Carabott who crossed towards De Fex Marriaga who missed a rather easy chance blasting the ball over the bar.

The goals that mattered came in the second period with Zejtun forging ahead on 54 minutes thanks to a goal scored by Ribeiro Santos Do Nascimento. Zebbug piled the pressure but the game remained a balanced affair.

Nine minutes from time Zebbug were awarded a penalty and from the penalty spot Randall Vella made no mistake to give his side a precious point.