Lija A. 1

Melita 1

Lija Athletic ended their first round commitments with a disappointing draw against ten-man Melita in an ill tempered match. The draw leaves Lija in fifth place in the table, but six points clear from the league leaders Balzan.

Melita who played the whole second half with a mean less, could have even snatched a dramatic winner five minutes from time, but captain George Gribbon failed to beat Mintoff from the penalty spot.

Mosta showed the better ideas in the first half and on four minutes a Maxime Batel shot was saved by Mintoff. On 15 minutes Melita went close again when Luke Micallef passed towards Nicolo Baldacchino whose shot was again blocked by Mintoff.

In Lija’s first real danger they almost took the lead when Melita defender Luke Fenech almost committed an own goal in an attempt to clear. Melita continued to play better and Batel went close again when his lob beat Mintoff but Kurt Formosa cleared off the goal line.

On the resumption Melita received a setback when Andrew Caruana Scicluna received a second booking and was sent off. Lija tried to take immediate advantage going close with a Potezica scorcher that was well saved by Zahra.

On 57 minutes Lija took the lead when Dzanovic dribbled past a couple of defenders before passing towards Zivkovic who served Potezica who hammered at the back of the net.

Melita had penalty appeals turned down as they tried to recover the one-goal deficit. Luke Micallef tested Mintoff. In a fast counter break Lija could have sealed it but Sacco’s shot was well saved by Zahra.

Twelve minutes from time Melita drew level when a George Gribbon shot was partially saved by goalkeeper Mintoff and from the rebound substitute Michael Cachia tapped the ball in.

The match was now wide open as both sides tried to get the winner. Antoine Sacco had a shot well saved by Zahra, and another effort going inches wide. Six minutes from time a George Gribbon header slightly missed the crossbar and five minutes from time Luke Micallef was brought down inside the area by Antonio Saliba, but from the penalty spot George Gribbon’s shot was well saved by Mintoff.

In stoppage time Nigel Rizzo’s effort slightly missed the base of the upright, and seconds later Lija were also reduced to ten players when Kurt Formosa was dismissed.