Luqa SA-Ghaxaq 4-1

Ghaxaq dictated the proceedings early on and after just a few seconds a Ryan Baldacchino crosshot was saved with difficulty by Paul Psaila.

Then a shot by Albert Caruana finished just wide and on another occasion the Luqa keeper brought off another difficult save to deny Bronwen Bugeja.

Gradually Luqa gained the initiative and after being close through Randolph Penza and Mark Ciantar, they took the lead on 24 minutes through their captain and leading scorer Lee Baldacchino who took advantage from a mistake by the Ghaxaq keeper.

Two minutes later Luqa were denied by Jensen Chetcuti off a shot by Baldacchino but in the 31st minute they made it 2-0 as Roderick Debattista headed in from close-range past Chetcuti.

Luqa continued to push forward and were again very close through Randolph Penza and Roderick Debattista.

After the break Ghaxaq had the opening opportunity through substitute Bjorn Dalli but gradually Luqa regained the initiative and after having a shot by Roderick Debattista which just missed the target, they managed to make it 3-0 on the hour. It came from a Lee Baldacchino direct free-kick with the Ghaxaq keeper being completely at fault as he allowed the ball to slip through his hands.

Six minutes later Ghaxaq got their consolation goal through Francois Mizzi following a good move by Bjorn Dalli but in the 75th minute Luqa’s promising striker Lee Baldacchino notched his hat-trick following a square pass by Roderick Debattista.

In the closing stages of the match, Baldacchino was again very close on two occasions. This was Luqa’s last match of the season during which they celebrated their promotion to the Second Division.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.