Lija A 4

St. George’s 1

Three late goals scored in the last six minutes of the match gave Lija Athletic an important victory over St. george’s in a balanced match that went off balance only in the final minutes.

St. George’s took an early lead but Lija immediately equalized in a spectacular first half packed with scoring actions. But the second period was a bore to watch until the final six minutes in which Lija scored three goals in quick succession to put the pioneers of local football in further trouble.

The first half was spectacular to say the least with St George’s taking the lead after only two minutes when Neil Curmi scored a spectacular goal when he first timed home from a very acute angle a Glenn Bonello long cross.

Lija made an immediate reaction and Antoine Sacco leveled the score on eleven minutes when he headed home a well taken corner by Thomas Caruana.

Lija were playing better and were very unlucky two minutes later when Ige’s shot from close range hit the base of the upright with the ball cleared to corner, and from the resultant corner Ige went close again with his header missing the crossbar by a whisker.

On 20 minutes St George’s went close when Zbiba passed towards Ruiz who shot slightly over the bar. On the other end Keith Darmanin’s freekick went slightly over the bar. On 25 minutes Dyal Zarb’ well executed freekick was well saved by Lija goalkeeper Ini.

Lija finished the first part on the offensive but the Saints defence held out well, and the Saints were menacing in their counter breaks.

The second half was completely opposite to the first part, as play was mainly in midfield with both sides unable to create a decent attacking move and the first attempt at goal came ten minutes from time when Conceicao passed to substitute Daniel Mizzi whose first timer went slightly off target.

Six minutes from time Lija took the lead when Antoine Sacco received from Ige entered the penalty area and beat Mercieca with an angled shot. Two minutes later Lija put the issue beyond doubt when Conceicao’s shot was blocked by the Saints’ defence and Gilbert Camilleri was on hand to hammer the ball in the top corner of the net.

And there was more to come as Lija scored a fourth on 89 minutes when Conceicao was floored by Sevasta and from the resultant penalty Gilbert Camilleri scored the fourth and final goal.

Lija A E. Ini, C. Giordemaina, D. Scerri, R. Conceicao, K. Darmanin (D. Mizzi), J.P. Scerri, A. Scicluna, T. Caruana (G. Camilleri), M. Fleri Soler, A. Ige, A. Sacco.

St. George’s R. Mercieca, C. Grech, H. Schembri (G. Inguanez), E. Sevasta, A. Abela (K. Grech), N. Curmi, E. Amaira, D. Zarb, M. Zbiba (R. Boutahir), G. Bonello, J. Ruiz.

Referee Malcolm Spiteri