Lija A 0

Mqabba 1

Lija Athletic moved to second place in the table with a slender win over second placed Mqabba in a very low profile match. Both sides considered as favourites for the promotion run, should have provided better fare than the scrappy match produced.

At least Lija were more than happy with the three points earned, as they now join the same Mqabba a mere point behind leaders St George’s. For Mqabba it was another setback, their second consecutive defeat after such an impressive start both tin the Knock Out and in the league campaign.

Mqabba started the match on a high with Marlon Briffa hitting slightly over the bar from an ideal position. Lija lost Zvezdan Vucovic after only four minutes, an unlucky debut indeed.

On eight minutes John Paul Muscat crossed towards Mazitelli who shot inches wide from an acute angle. Minutes later the game had to be interrupted with assistant referee Malcolm Spiteri.

Lija started to crawl back in the game and slowly but surely they took hold of the midfield sector, even though their attempts at goal were practically none.

On the resumption Lija had more of the ball and held the upper hand, but Mqabba goalkeeper Calleja was only called in action on 56 minutes when he brilliantly saved a Keith Darmanin freekick.

Mqabba hit back with a Mazitelli shot well saved by Mintoff. The decisive goal was scored on 72 minutes when Admir Dzanovic withstood Timotic’s tackle and managed to beat Calleja with a low drive.

Mqabba’s reaction was a timid one and Clive Mizzi’s side failed to save the match, with their best and only chance coming ten minutes from time through substitute James Shead who failed to beat Sean Mintoff who saved his side a decisive save.