Lija Athletic kept their slim hopes alive when they easily beat St Andrew’s to push the same Saints to Second Division football next season.

For St Andrew’s it will be a quick return to lower football after only a season in this division.

St Andrew’s had a rather disappointing season, always anchored at the bottom of the table.

For Lija Athletic this win puts them only two points behind Naxxar Lions with only two matches left. Lija however will have to face Senglea and St George’s in the last matches with Naxxar facing Mqabba and St Andrew’s.

Lija were the better team in the first half and went close after only four minutes when an Ian Borg shot was saved by goalkeeper Debono.

Ten minutes later Lija went very close when an Azzopardi shot hit the upright, but Barry failed to score from the rebound.

On 20 minutes Lija took a deserved lead, when Antignolo passed to Calabretta who anticipated the goalkeeper and shot low into the net.

Six minutes later St Andrew’s obtained a surprise equaliser when Niki Micallef headed home an Ian Borg corner.

The match was now more balanced, but just before the break Lija went back in the lead.

Antignolo gave a good ball to Glenn Barry who beat the offside trap, dribbled past the goalkeeper and shot in an empty net.

In the second half Lija dominated and sealed the issue on 52 minutes when an Antignolo shot was partially saved by goalkeeper Debono, and from the rebound Michael Gatt made no mistake.

The fourth goal came on 65 minutes when Gatt passed to the unmarked Calabretta who dribbled past Debono before scoring his brace. Eight minutes later St Andrew’s reduced the arrears with a gift goal by Lija goalkeeper Jonathan Vella who fumbled a harmless free-kick by Michael Borg Olivier, with the ball rolling slowly past the goal line.

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St Patrick 2 vs Mqabba 0

The exciting and delicate finish of this season’s First Division league, took another twist yesterday as St Patrick deservedly beat Mqabba with two second half goals, to catch up with the same Mqabba in third place. This leaves practically five teams with an equal chance to gain promotion, always assuming that leaders St George’s manage to keep their good lead till the end.

St Patrick were worthy winners as they showed some excellent stuff with Costa Brazilino and Gilbert Scerri above the rest. However Mark Tanti was again instrumental scoring a brace, with Thomas Caruana demonstrating that he is coming back to his old self.

For Mqabba history is repeating itself. Last year they threw away a solid leadership when they failed miserably in their last matches, and this year the same pattern seems to follow as Mqabba have only gained a mere point in their last outing.

The first half was spectacular to say the least, with lots scoring chances as both sides displayed some top level football. On three minutes Gilbert Scerri hit the crossbar for St Patrick and two minutes Mqabba went close with Anastasi’s shot hitting the side netting.

Saints’ goalkeeper Azzopardi effected a brilliant save off a Marlon Briffa header, and defender Buttigieg came to his side’s rescue blocking a point blank shot from Spiteri. On 27 minutes Mqabba were again dangerous when an Anywanna shot was deflected by Buttigieg with goalkeeper Azzopardi effecting a great save to save a certain goal.

On 32 minutes Marlon Briffa shot slightly over the bar. Five minutes later St Patrick had every right to appeal for a penalty when Gilbert Scerri was brought down by Psaila, but referee Sammut failed to intervene. Two minutes later Gilbert Scerri, in irresistible form, dribbled a couple of defenders but Calleja denied him with a spectacular save.

Two minutes from time Mqabba’s Marco Catania can consider himself lucky when he was only shown the yellow card for tripping Scerri who was heading straight for goal.

In the second half St Patrick were in a class of their own as they dictated matters, and were rewarded with two quick goals in the first fifteen minutes. On 52 minutes Thomas Caruana was brought down inside the area by Martin Gauci, and from the resultant penalty Mark Tanti made no mistake. Mqabba’s best chance came on 57 minutes but Marlon Briffa’s shot went over the bar.

Two minutes later St Patrick doubled the lead with a splendid move between Thomas Caruana and Mark Tanti, with the latter’s first timer beating Calleja. Tanti went close to scoring a hat- trick minutes later but his shot missed the base of the upright after some brilliant footwork by Gilbert Scerri