Pieta H 0

St George’s 0

League leaders Pieta Hotspur dropped their first points of the season after three consecutive victories, when they were held to a scoreless draw by bottom of the table side St George’s.

For the Saints this was the first point gained so far this season, as they played their best match so far. The match never reached high standards with very few scoring chances on both ends of the pitch.

The first half was better with both sides going near on a couple of instances. The second part of the match was less intense with both defences blotting out the respective attacks.

For St George’s Jonathan Ruiz was making a welcome return, having missed the opening three matches. Pieta lost goalkeeper Miguel Montfort half way through the first half, but reserve goalkeeper Kersten Vella was up to standard as he kept his goal intact. Pieta stil havel to suffer the first goal after 360 minutes of play.

Pieta had more of the ball in the first half going near with a Jurgen Pisani header following a Refalo cross. Pieta went close again with a well taken shot from thre edge of the area by Terence Agius.

The Saints had their good moments with Ruiz missing a sitter in front of goal blasting well over the bar, and a Reda Boutahir header went inches wide.

The second half was mainly played in midfield but Pieta had their best chance when the Saints’ goalkeeper Thomas Galea made a desperate sortie to block Zach Muscat.

Pieta H: M. Montfort (K. Vella), C. Spiteri, E. Giaccaglia, Q. Refalo, T. Agius, Z. Muscat, L. Mallia, C. Cassar, J. Bilbao Zarate, J. Pisani, D. Mifsud (A. Farrugia).

St. George’s: T. Galea, C. Grech (A. Mercieca), K. Magro, E. Sevasta, N. Curmi, G. Inguanez (H.Schembri), D. Zarb, E. Amaira (A. Abela), R. Boutahir, G. Bonello, J. Ruiz.

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Lija A 2

Birzebbuga 3

Birzbbuga moved to second place in the table, beating ten-man Lija with the odd goal in five in an entertaining match. Undoubtedly the sending off of Renato Conceicao around the half hour had its effect on a gallant Lija side who ended up empty handed despite their bold effort to gain a point from this match.

After a balanced start, Birzebbuga were unlucky on ten minutes when a Schneider freekick slammed against the crossbar. Ten minutes later Birzebbuga went close again when from a corner, Milovic headed towards goal, but Lija defender Scicluna cleared the ball before it crossed the goal line.

On 32 minutes Birzebbuga’s Ronnie Celeste made his way inside the area and was tripped by Conceiaco. Referee Clayton Pisani awarded the penalty after consulting with assistant Debattista, sending off Conceicao in the process. Mathew Sciortino made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Birzebbuga could have closed the issue minutes later when Onuta outpaced a Lija defender dribbled past goalkeeper Ini, but shot incredibly wide with an open goal at his mercy.

Ten-man Lija were back in business three minutes from the break when they were awarded a soft penalty for a Farrugia tackle on Ige. Clayton Giordemaina converted the resultant penalty in style.

Five minutes from the restart Birzebbuga were back in front when Onuta squeezed the ball past Ini from close range. Lija did not throw in the towel as they staged a fierce reaction going close with a well taken Gilbert Camilleri freekick and a brilliant first timer by Benoir Fenech, but in both instances keeper Casha showed his worth with brilliant saves.

But 15 minutes from time Lija drew level when Ige fired home from close range following a melee in the Birzebbuga penalty area. Six minutes from time Birzebbuga scored what proved to be the winner when Mifsud’s cross from the right was met by substitute Keith Muscat who shot home from an acute angle.

Lija A: E. Ini, R. Conceicao, G. Camilleri (E. Briffa), K. Darmanin, B. Camilleri, A. Ige, B. Fenech (T. Fleri Soler), A. Scicluna, M. Fleri Soler, C. Giordemaina, A. Sacco.

Birzebbuga SP: I. Casha, N. Tabone, B. Farrugia, D. Milovic, F. Schneider, G. Tanti, K. Borg, M. Sciortino, B. Onuta (K. Muscat), M. Mifsud, R. Celeste.

Referee: Clayton Pisani

BOV League Div II: Gudja U-Msida SJ 2-0