St George’s made sure of the title yesterday when they beat Lija to send their opponents in Division Two.

It was a deserved victory and title win for the pioneers of local football as they dominated their opponents after a rather slow start.

St George’s were the better team in the first half, dominating the midfield sector with Lija effective in their breaks. On six minutes Lija were unlucky when a Nicky Gatt shot slammed against the crossbar.

Ten minutes later the Saints’ first shot at goal came from Ewurun with his low shot missing the base of the upright. Lija’s Antignolo tried his luck from long range with his shot well over the bar.

St George’s took the lead on 33 minutes. A Darmanin header was brilliantly saved by Etienne Mercieca, the ball went to Anthony Bonello whose shot from an acute angle was deflected into his own net by Daniel Scerri.

In the second half Lija introduced Calabretta in their front line, but the youngster failed to change the trend of the game.

St George’s dominated the second half sealing the issue with two quick goals half way through the second half.

They doubled the score on 68 minutes when Johan Spiteri headed in an Ewurun corner.

Two minutes later St George’s and their numerous supporters were on velvet when Ewurun headed in following a good move between Silvio Sciberras and Keith Darmanin. In injury time Lija scored a consolation goal when a low shot by John Cauchi hit the upright before finishing at the back of the net.

At the end of the match St George’s captain Edgar Degabriele received the Championship winners’ trophy from MFA Vice President Carmel Bartolo.

Marsa 3

St Patrick 1

Marsa gained promotion to the Premier League yesterday when they gained the three points needed against St Patrick in the last match to pip Mqabba to the second spot.

Marsa deserved the win after suffering a shock in the early stages as St Patrick managed to take the lead.

Gilbert Martin was again instrumental in this decisive match scoring important goals and giving his usual important contribution as the Redblues returned to the Premier League after a three-year absence. Martin is surely their most gifted player and will be an asset for Marsa in the top flight.

St Patrick, with a heavily depleted side, surprised their opponents as they looked more determined and aggressive in the opening minutes. Meilaq’s absence was felt in the Marsa attack as Gilbert Martin was rather subdued in the opening phase of the match.

Marsa had a good move at the start with Timmy Thomas hitting wide from close range.

However St Patrick were dangerous through shots from Thomas Caruana and Matthew Xerri. On 18 minutes St Patrick took the lead when Vassallo’s cross was flicked by Caruana and Ludwig Bartolo all alone in front of goal slotted the ball home.

However six minutes later Marsa were back on level terms when their striker Gilbert Martin found space to shoot home following a rather chaotic action in the Saints’ penalty area.

Marsa started to play better now with Daniel Gatt testing Mintoff in the Saints’ goal.

Just before the break Marsa forged ahead when a Gilbert Martin cross shot from the right was partially saved by Mintoff and Timmy Thomas scored from close range.

At the start of the second half Clayton Micallef hit the side netting and on 53 minutes Marsa sealed the promotion issue when Gilbert Martin scored with a shot from the edge of the area after a bad sortie by goalie Mintoff.