Lija Ath 1 vs St Venera L. 1

Lija had to play for most of the match with ten players after having Brandon Lowell sent off in the 39th minute but they still proved to be the better team in a match they dictated for long stretches.

After only one minute Lija were close with Michael Mangion hitting just wide from an Antignolo corner-kick. Then efforts by Aaron Pendry and Glen Barry just missed the target but on 25 minutes Lija were awarded a free-kick which was taken by Elton Azzopardi and John Cauchi headed home despite Rapinett’s efforts to block the ball which had however crossed the goal line. The goal was disputed by the Lightnings.

Lija continued to press forward and in the 30th minute a drive by Glen Barry was turned onto the upright by Rapinett but nine minutes later St. Venera equalised through a Mark Grech penalty which was awarded for a handling infringement by Lija’s defender Brandon Lowell who was also sent off.

After the change of ends Lija continued to dictate the run of play with the crossbar denying them in the 60th minute off an overhead kick by Aaron Pendry.

Four minutes later an incident led referee Arena to send off the St. Venera coach from the bench. Then St. Venera’s keeper Rapinett brought off fine saves to deny Glen Barry and Anthony Gera with the Lightnings finally coming back on two occasions through Ian Falzon.

Referee: Alex Arena.

Melita 3 vs Balzan Y. 1

Melita gained their third win of the season and are now sharing the top spot with Dingli Swallows on ten points from five matches. Melita were the better team during the first period with Balzan suffering a setback after 12 minutes when Leonid McKay was sent off following an incident with the Amateurs’ midfielder Matthew Borg II.

In the 21st minute Melita went close with Julian Galea crossing for Gregory Degabriele whose effort was saved by Bonello.

The Balzan keeper was again in action a minute later as he saved a header by Kane Micallef but they broke the deadlock on 33 minutes through Gregory Degabriele following an indecision by Bonello.

In the initial stages of the second period Melita went close through Julian Galea but in the 53rd minute Matthew Borg I finished off a good move by Degabriele to make it 2-0.

Balzan were back in the match in the 66th minute with Malcolm Tirchett beating Carter with a volley but gradually Melita regained the initiative and put their minds at rest with a third goal scored by Julian Galea in the 85th minute.

Referee: Esther Farrugia