San Gwann 2

Lija A 0

San Gwann scored two late goals to claim this sort of relegation decider, and put Lija Athletic in deep trouble, where only a miracle can save Jimmy Briffa's side from the big drop. It was an interesting match, very balanced, with San Gwann worthy winners.

Lija had a good start with a San Gwann defender clearing off the line following a melee in front of Spiteri. San Gwann missed a good opportunity with Penza missing in front of goal.

On 20 minutes Calabretta was denied by goalkeeper Spiteri’s outstretched leg. San Gwann held the upper hand for long stretches with Zammit Tabona blasting high following a good Anizoba-Sciberras move. Minutes later Anizoba again tested Mercieca who saved well.

Near the end Lija dominated creating numerous scoring chances. John Camilleri made his way inside the area, but his shot was saved by Spiteri. The same Spiteri saved brilliantly an Elton Azzopardi scorcher, and from the resultant corner, Cauchi’s header hit the crossbar.

The second half was less intense with play mainly in midfield but with San Gwann always showing the better ideas. On 67 minutes a Karl Sciberras shot was blocked by Mercieca, with the same goalkeeper again in action denying Anizoba.

On 89 minutes San Gwann took the lead when Anizoba made his way inside the area and passed to Penza whose shot was partially blocked by Mercieca, and from the rebound Zammit Tabona shot home. Lija surged desperately forward and almost obtained the equaliser with an Alan Ellul shot saved by Spiteri, and on 93 minutes San Gwann secured their victory when Chris Cuschieri beat the offside trap and passed to Anizoba who had no difficulty in scoring with an open goal at his mercy.

St George’s 0

Mqabba 0

League leaders St George’s obtained a more than deserved point agains promotion aspirants Mqabba, in a match that came to life in the second half.

St George’s playing with nine players for the last 30 minutes of the match, could have even snatched a dramatic victory near the end.

For Mqabba this was another setback, as they lost another good opportunity to move in second place. They still remain in the hunt but yesterday they wasted much of their chances against an opponent in numerical disadvantage.

The first half was very quite with St George’s forging ahead on 36 minutes when Silvio Sciberras shot home after Ewurun had headed down a Johann Spiteri cross.

Near the end Amaira tried his luck from the edge of the area but missed the target.

The second half started with Miguel Mifsud missing for the leaders, but on 59 minutes assistent referee Agius signalled a Silvio Sciberras infringement and the Saints’ player was sent off.

Two minutes later Christian Grech was shown the second yellow and went for an early shower.

Mqabba surged forward, and obtained the equaliser on 78 minutes when Anywanna managed to squeeze the ball home in a maze in front of goal.

Although with two players less, St George’s had the best chances with Ewurun showing some irresistible skills, first hitting the crossbar, and then he was denied by a brilliant Kris Calleja save in the Mqabba goal.