Lija A 2
St. Patrick 2
Lija and St. Patrick figured in an interesting 2-2 draw in their opening match. The two sides relegated from the premier league, produced some good stuff in the process, and both sides can be among the front runners this season.
St. patrick dominated the first half scoring two goals in the process, whilst Lija stormed back in the second half as the Saints faded out completely.
Lija had a promising start with ex-Gozo FC player John Ca,illeri missing a sitter in front of goal with St. Patrick goalkeeper Azzopardi saving his point blank shot.
Slowly but surely St. Patrick started to get more of the ball and dominated the midfield sector, with Tanti and Brazilino above the rest. On 33 minutes the Saints took the lead with a gem of a goal scored by Benoir fenech who first-timed beautifully in the corner of the net a cross from the right by Mark Tanti.
Lija had a good opportunity to equalise minutes later when John Camileri headed inches wide a well-taken Paul Camilleri freekick.
Two minutes from the interval St. Patrick doubled the score when Costa Brazilino headed in a Thomas Caruana pass. In the final moments the Saints went further close with shots from Caruana and Tanti but in both occasions, goalkeeper Mecieca saved well.
In the second half Lija started on the attack and Camilleri's header was well saved by Azzopardi. On 59 minutes Lija reduced the score when John Camilleri finally managed to beat Azzopardi with a perfect lob. The match was now more balanced with chances for Caruana and Lija's Barry.
At the star of the second period Franklin Azzopardi turned into a corner a dangerous header from John Camileri. On 59 minutes Lija scored their first goal when John Camilleri lobbed over the onrushing Azzopardi for a well taken goal.
Ten minutes later Lija obtained the equaliser when striker Glenn Barry headed in a freekick from the right by Anicic. After this goal the match was more balanced with St. Patrick having more of the ball but both sides failed to produce further scoring chances.
Senglea A 2
Naxxar L 3
Naxxar Lions registered their first win of the season upsetting promotion favourites Senglea with the odd goal in five. Naxxar were worthy winners in this tense and exciting match, with ten-man Senglea missing a penalty in the last gasps of the match.
Simon Muscat was outstanding for the Lions and played an important role in all Naxxar's goals even scoring a beauty, beating all the Senglea defence in the process. Chima Dozie scored the winner for the Lions but missed a couple of easy chances in front of goal.
Chima Dozie missed a sitter in front of goal in the opening minutes, but Senglea opened the score on twelve minutes when they were awarded a penalty when Muscat fouled Darren Grech. From the penalty spot Mark Marlow made no mistake with a grounder.
Minutes later Dozie's header went inches high, and on 17 minutes the same Dozie missed another good opportunity after changing the ball with Gilbert Camilleri.
However on 25 minutes Naxxar were on level terms when Simon Muscat scored a beauty taking the ball from midfield and dribbled his way to the penalty area were he beat Attard with a perfect shot.
Six minutes later Anthony Gera headed on the side netting from an ideal position and on 42 minutes Senglea werin front again thanks to a superb freekick by Mark Marlow.
However Senglea's joy was short-lived as Naxxar obtained an immediate equaliser when Gilbert Camilleri headed in a perfect Simon Muscat corner from the right.
At the start of the second half Naxxar went ahead for the first time with another brilliant move by Simon Muscat who crossed from the right for the completely unmarked Chima Dozie who slammed home from close range.
Naxxar were now playing on velvet creating several scoring chances with Attard saving a point blank shot from Gilbert Camilleri. On 75 minutes Senglea had their best chance when Mark Marlow hit the upright. Senglea were reduced to ten men when Darren Grech was sent off with ten minutes to go.
The match was now very ill-tempered with objects thrown from the stands hitting assistant referee Nicky Debattista. In the dying seconds of the game, Fabio Cauchi was pulled off the ball by Gilbert Camilleri, with the referee awarding Senglea the second penalty of the game. But Naxxar goalkeeper Kevin Agius saved his side when he blocked Tano Farrugia's penalty shot.