Lija scored second half goals to win their group and move forward to the semi final stages. For Mosta this was a real setback as Balzan can pip them out for the second spot if they Msida in the last match.

It was a great second half display by Lija who ripped Mosta’s defence apart with some neat football. The turning point of the match came early in the second half when Mosta missed a penalty and Lija scored two quick goals to turn the tide in their favour.

Play was mainly in midfield in the first part of the match with Mosta having the opening chance of the match when Ryan Deguara served Lyden Micallef who alone in front of the opposing goalkeeper could only shoot straight on the onrushing Bonnici. Two minutes later Lyden Micallef headed slightly over the bar a good cross from Lee Grima.

On 26 minutes Lija had their best chance of the first half when Adzanovic crossed towards Wayne Borg St John whose beautiful header was brilliantly saved by Debono. On 32 minutes an Adrian Borg shot was well saved by Bonnici and just before the break a Lyden Micallef dipper missed the crossbar by a whisker.

On the resumption Lija pushed their opponents in their penalty area with a series of corner kicks taken by Keith Darmanin. But on 50 minutes Mosta were awarded a penalty when Gilbert Martin was floored inside the area by Antonio Saliba, but from the penalty spot William Camenzuli’s weak shot was easily blocked by Bonnici.

Lija hit back immediately and were unlucky when a Keith Darmanin freekick slammed against the crossbar.

On 58 minutes Lija took the lead when Keith Darmanin floated another freekick inside the Mosta penalty area and Timothy Fleri Soler tapped the ball in from close range. Two minutes later Lija scored their second goal when Dzanovic was put through by Scicluna, his precise lob hit the crossbar and from the rebound Wayne Borg St John headed in.

Lija were now in full command even though they had Matthew Fleri Soler sent off for dissent on 71 minutes. But six minutes from time both teams were back to numerical level when Mosta goalkeeper Debono was sent off for handling the ball outside the area in an attempt to stop Potezica.

Two minutes from time Lija sealed the issue with a third goal scored by Marko Potezica after a fine between Timothy Fleri Soler and Dzanovic.

Mosta

J. Debono, A. Borg, K. Farrugia, M. Brincat, B. Agius (J. Bajada), W. Camenzuli, N. Bogdanovic, R. Deguara (S. Shead), L. Grima, L. Micallef (K. Rizzo), G. Martin.

Lija A

L. Bonnici, M. Camilleri (B. Antignolo), A. Saliba, D. Scerri, T. Fleri Soler, M. Potezica, W. Borg St. John (D. Caruana), K. Darmanin, A. Scicluna, A. Dzanovic, M. Fleri Soler.

Referee Tristan Farrugia Cann