Lija Athletic-Valletta 1-2

Lija: S. Agius, D. Okeke, E. Azzopardi, M. Gatt, D. Cosaitis, D. Scerri, A. Ellul (M. Agius), G. Camenzuli, G. Barry, P. Camilleri, B. Spiteri.

Valletta: S. Sullivan, M. Grima, S. Pace, K. Bonnici (C. Camilleri), K. Cassar, R. Forace, M. Penchev, K. Fenech (D. Zarb), M. Galea, G. Agius, I. Zammit.

Referee: A. M. Sant asst refs: A. Camilleri, S. Tanti. 4th official: P. Caruana.

Scorers: M. Galea, G. Barry, I. Zammit.

Yellow cards: S. Agius, M. Grima,

Red cards: M. Galea and B. Spiteri.

Player of the match: K. Cassar (Valletta)

TMI top three: 1. G. Camenzuli, 2. K. Cassar, 3. M. Galea.

Valletta became the solitary leaders of the MIA Premier League when they won three points in a lack-lustre match to reach the 29-point mark three points ahead of champions Sliema even though the latter have two games in hand.

Valletta had to fight much harder than expected in the first half as they found it very difficult to penetrate Lija’s fort. The latter defended well and also operated with fast counter attacks with Glenn Barry, Gordon Camenzuli and Michael Gatt proving to be very dangerous especially when Valletta left their rearguard wide open.

Gordon Camenzuli never stopped running and was dangerous with his accurate crosses, good ball control gaining time for his side as they tried to venture forward.

The Citizens were clearly shocked after taking the lead and having to suffer an immediate equaliser in less then a minute. They then could not pierce open a solid Lija defence. It was only through Kevin Cassar’s runs on the right flank that the Citizens were proving to be dangerous and in fact the goals came from two such crosses.

Otherwise, Lija rarely ran any risks and could have also taken the lead on a number of occasions. It was not to be however as they conceded a second goal after having missed two chances and from then it was difficult for them as the Citizens controlled in the second half without raising any houses on fire.

It is clear that they will have to improve considerably on their lethargic performance yesterday if they are to challenge for the title. Clearly, the most important aspect was their victory which in the end still meant an additional three points to their tally but much more was expected.It was clearly one of Valletta’s worst outings this season and one which they should do their best to forget.

Gilbert Agius was clearly not in his usual form and he could rarely get past a strong Daddy Okeke in defence. He however, still proved to be dangerous on a number of occasions.

The Citizens raided Lija’s fort after just two minutes and a Forace header looked very dangerous as he attempted a difficult lob over goalkeeper Agius. The ball however just went over the bar.

Valletta took the lead in the 6th minute when off a Kevin Cassar cross, Mark Galea hit home a first-time effort past Agius.

However, the Citizens barely had time to celebrate as Lija immediately equalised. Glenn Barry heading home a Camenzuli cross past Sullivan to the joy of the few Lija fans present.

Valletta again went close to taking the lead in the 16th minute. Penchev took a cross from the left, the ball was cleared by the Lija defence, Agius however hit the ball over the bar.The Citizens again went close in the 27th minute when an Ian Zammit header skimmed past the post.

Glenn Barry could not believe in the 32nd minute when he was served with a pass from the left by Camenzuli. He fumbled the ball when in an ideal position and Grima could clear before the Lija striker could be a menace.

Lija continued to press and they were very close to taking a shock lead when a M. Gatt shot was deflected by Forace to corner with goalkeeper Sullivan looking beaten.

Lija paid dearly for those two missed chances. At the other end, off a Kevin Cassar cross, Ian Zammit alone at the far post headed home into the gaping net as Valletta were again in the lead.

On the change of ends goalkeeper Agius had to dive full length to turn save a shot from Mark Galea.

The best chance of the second half came to promising Dylan Zarb who hit a superb left foot swinger which just inched wide.

Both teams were reduced to ten-men when the referee sent off Brian Spiteri and Mark Galea for an early bath in the 84th minute.

The Citizens were unlucky not to have added a third and put their minds at rest with Daniel Scerri having to clear off the line in extremis. However, at the other end, Valletta twice escaped scary moments soon after.

For all Lija’s efforts they could not create any more chances and the match was over.