Lija A. 3
St Andrew’s 0
Lija Athletic returned to winning ways after suffering two consecutive defeats, with an easy victory over St Andrews. Lija yesterday outclassed their opponentswho were the pale shadow of the team that did so well against St. George’s in the U*BET FA Trophy seven days ago.
But the Saints were never really in the match yesterday and after suffereing the early goal they never recovered as Lija displayed some polished football especially in the second fourty five minutes.
Lija played better in the opening stages and their territorial superiority was rewarded on thirteen minutes when defender Andre Scicluna headed home a Keith Darmanin freekick.Minutes later Potezica went close with a dangerous header and Antoine Sacco’s shot from close range was blocked by a defender.
St Andrews took some time to settle down but shared possession of the ball in the second part of the first half. They were not particularly dangerous however as the Lija defence was never under threat.
The Saints best and only chance came in the dying seconds of the first half when Nicky Vella Petroni had a good attempt from the edge of the area well saved by Lija goalkeeper Sean Mintoff.
On the resumption St Andrews held the initiative in first minutes but were given the knock-out blow on 57 minutes when Potezica passed towards Antoine Sacco who squared the ball towards Dzanovic who had the easiest of chances tapping the ball home.
Seven minutes later St.Andrew’s could have pulled one back when debutant James Dabbs sent over the bar from an ideal position.
Fifteen minutes from time Lija scored a third goal when substitute Wayne Borg St. John headed in a Keith Darmanin freekick. Lija went for more in the dying minutes and Potezica was very unlucky when he hit the crossbar.
Lija A – S. Mintoff, A. Spiteri, D. Scerri, A. Sacco (G. Barry), M. Potezica, K. Formosa (A. Buhagiar), A. Scicluna, A. Dzanovic, B. Antignolo (W. Borg St.John), M. Fleri Soler, K. Darmanin.
St. Andrew’s – D. Ibrahim, J. Briscoe White, J. Bugeja, M. Borg, P. Briscoe White (E. Grima), M. Valenzia (M. Calleja), J. Dabbs (F. Anakua), W. Camilleri, N. Chetcuti, N. Vella Petroni, J. Pallen.
Referee – Glenn Tonna