Eternal rivals and neighbours Balzan Youths and Lija Athletics shared the spoils in an entertaining match in the First Division Knockout competition. Marco Gerada’s side looked to be on their way to victory but Uchanna Anywanna managed to save the game on 90 minutes after they attacked relentlessly after conceding a goal early in the second half.

Lija made all the early running and after only four minutes they had a Keith Darmanin free-kick being deflected just wide and minutes later the same player saw Frederick Tabone palm away for a corner another free-kick.

Balzan tried to fight-back but they rarely troubled the Sean Mintoff. On the contrary it was Lija who were unlucky not to forge ahead on 15 minutes when Beppe Antignolo lobbed the ball over the Youths keeper following a Daniel Scerri with the ball just sailing over the crossbar.

Two minutes later Balzan responded when Roderick Farrugia’s long range effort just missed the target. On 24 minutes Antoine Sacco was foiled by the Balzan custodian when he saved his close range effort following a magnificent Marco Potezika cross.

Lija continued to dictate matters and in the 35th minute Beppe Antignolo picked up a loose ball from just inside the area and his fierce drive was magnificently saved by the Youths custodian.

Three minutes from time Balzan could have sneaked a goal when a Uchanna Anywanna stole a ball in the area after Mintoff was caught in between several of his own defenders, but when the Nigerian looked odds on to score the Lija rearguard managed to clear away the danger.

Lija opened the scoring five minutes into the second half. Antoine Sacco won the ball from a Keith Darmanin free-kick, turned well into the Balzan area, the sluggish Balzan defence failed to clear and Sacco hit it a half volley, and although Tabone managed to get a hand to it, the ball was pushed in by Dalton Caruana, but it was Sacco who claimed the goal at it had already crossed the line.

Balzan reacted immediately but caused little problems to the Lija rearguard even though Anywanna should have scored on 70 minutes when he headed feebly into the hands of Sean Mintoff following a Clifton Ciantar cross. But Anywanna made up for his mistake when on 90 minutes he headed home a Steve Meilak cross from the right.