Lija Athletic missed a golden opportunity to go second in the standings when they were surprisingly beaten by lowly Dingli Swallows. Dingli played one of their best matches so far this season to notch their second victory of the season.

New signing Konda proved to be decisive for the Swallows as he scored a great goal just before the break to give Dingli a precious win.

For Lija it was a disappointing performance, even though they had some good moments early in the second half.

The first half was very disappointing with very scoring opportunities with play mainly concentrated in midfield. The start was very promising with Lija going near with an acrobatic drive by Wayne Borg St John which was brilliantly saved by Dingli goalkeeper Abela.

For the rest of the first half Lija, who had Admir Dzanovic back in their ranks, held the upper hand for long stretches but Dingli Swallows were very disciplined at the back and looking menacing in their rare breaks.

On 27 minutes Chris Ciappara tested the Lija goalkeeper with a central effort and four minutes later Lija went close with a well taken Keith Darmanin freekick that was brilliantly saved by Luke Bonnici.

Three minutes from the break Dingli took the lead when newly signed Leontiev Konda stunned goalkeeper Bonnici with a precise grounder from a long distance with the ball finishing in the corner of the net. In stoppage time Dingli could have added a second goal when substitute Jereilly Chirino dribbled his way inside the area but his shot was blocked by Bonnici.

As expected Lija stormed forward in the second half, with Dingli pressed inside their penalty area. In the first minutes Lija had two goals disallowed but Dingli were very menacing in their fast breaks.

Dingli’s Reuben Vella had a good effort going inches wide and substitute Jonathan Sapiano had his shot blocked from an ideal position. Dingli continued to dictate matters in the open spaces left bu Lija who on their part continued to press forward.

Their efforts were almost rewarded in injury time when a Dzanovic close range effort slightly missed the target and an Antoine Sacco effort was brilliantly saved by Mark Abela.

Dingli S M. Abela, K. Pace, R. Sammut, S. Tellus, R. Vella, C. Ciappara, L. Konda, E. Farrugia, C. Caruana (J. Chirino), R. Briffa, C. Azzopardi (J. Sapiano).

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

Referee Paul Caruana