Second half goals by Andre Schembri, Trevor Templeman, and Wendell Gomes eased Marsaxlokk’s worries against modest Lija, to go through to the next round. Apart from the result and the qualification obtained, Marsaxlokk have nothing to be happy about. In fact their display yesterday was far from convincing.

The match resulted in a one way traffic affair, but the South Seasiders, although in constant pressure, failed to liven up the match.

Lija Athletic had two key players missing in their line up, namely Giles Lanzon and Glenn Barry. Barry’s absence was sorely felt in attack as John Camilleri was stranded between Marsaxlokk’s defensive wall, composed of Wellman, Magro and Mamo.

Marsaxlokk were unlucky after 90 seconds when a close range shot by Wendell Gomes was cleared off the line by Brendon Lowell. Four minutes later Gomes and Templemann had a good move with the latter’s shot missing the target.

On 16 minutes the Lija goalkeeper Mercieca effected a great save denying Frendo from eight metres. The same Mercieca was again called in action seconds later blocking a Frendo freekick: Gomes missed the rebound with an open goal at his mercy.

Marsaxlokk increased the pressure in the last part of the first half with Frendo hitting the upright from an acute angle, and with goalkeeper Mercieca again saving a close range header from Kevin Sammut.

In the second period, Lija had a golden opportunity after four minutes with Antignolo hitting over the bar all alone in front of Reuben Gauci.

On the other end Wendell Gomes missed another sitter in front of goal, and on 58 minutes a Kevin Sammut header was again cleared off the line by Lowell. On 63 minutes Marsaxlokk finally broke the deadlock, with a rather soft goal. Mercieca blocked Frendo’s first attempt, with the same Frendo pouncing on the rebound and crossing to Andre Schembri who headed home from close range.

Marsaxlokk kept pushing forward, and with Lija still with all players behind the ball. However on 76 minutes Marsaxlokk put their minds at rest when they doubled the score. Carlo Mamo crossed from the right and Trevor Templeman flicked beautifully in the corner of the net.

With four minutes to go Marsaxlokk increased their lead with a good move on the right flank by Andre Schembri who crossed to the unmarked Wendell Gomes who finally managed to score when his header beat a helpless Mercieca.

Marsaxlokk: R. Gauci, C. Mamo (C. Carabott), T. Templeman, S. Wellman, C. Magro, K. Sammut, C. Frendo (B. Caruana), S. Bajada, K. Mamo, W. Soares Gomes, A. Schembri.

Lija A: E. Mercieca, J. Cauchi, E. Azzopardi, A. Ellul, A. Scicluna (P. Camilleri), D. Scerri, M. Gatt, J. Camilleri (D. Cremona), B. Lowell, N. Gatt, B. Antignolo (I. Scicluna).

Scorers: A. Schembri, T. Templeman, W. Gomes

Referee: C. Pisani, Ass. referees: A. Arena, A. Arciola, 4th official: I. Miller