Lija A 0
Vittoriosa S 0
Lija and Vittoriosa Stars settled for a point a piece in a very disappointing and boring match. The result leaves both sides in deep relegation trouble and both have to improve considerably if they are to avoid the drop to Division Two.
Vittoriosa Stars had more of the ball and were more determined to grab the three points at stake, but their actions in front of goal were scarce. Ironically the best chance of the match came Lija’s way minutes before the interval when Beu won a penalty which Keith Darmanin failed to convert.
Lija were the better team in the first match of the first half and had attempts through Keith darmanin and Erjon Beu well saved by Jean Matthias Vella. Slowly but surely Vittoriosa crawled back in the game as they took the upper hand in midfield.
Newcomer should have done better on 18 minutes but his shot was easily saved by Ini after a fine Pereira move. Minutes later Roberto Brincat blasted high from the edge of the area.
On 30 minutes Roberto Brincat passed towards Leighton Grech who dribbled past a Lija defender but his grounder was blocked by Ini. Five minutes from time Lija had a golden scoring opportunity when Erjon Beu was pulled inside the penalty area by Malcolm Buttigieg with referee Arciola awarding the penalty. But from the penalty spot Keith Darmanin’s weak effort was easy prey for goalkeeper vella who saved in style.
Vittoriosa introduced Larry Lagana on the resumption and the Satrs missed a sitter on 56 minutes. Leighton Grech passed towards Marcelo Pereira who failed to connect in front of goal, but the ball came Robinson’s way who blasted the ball over the bar.
Five minutes later Ini easily saved a feeble attempt from Marcelo Pereira. Gary Muir had a good first timer going inches wide and on 65 minutes Leighton Grech beat a couple of defenders but his close range shot was well saved by Ini.
The rest of the match was in Vittoriosa’s hands, but the Stars could not get past a well organized Lija defence. The Stars had some half chances which were easily dealt with by goalkeeper Ini who was surely Lija’s best player on the field of play.
Lija A E. Ini, C. Giordemaina, R. Conceicao, D. Scerri, E. Beu, K. Darmanin (E. Briffa), J.P. Scerri, A. Scicluna, A. Sacco (G. Camilleri), M. Fleri Soler, A. Ige.
Vittoriosa S J.M. Vella, L. Vella Critien, J. Camilleri (L. Lagana), M. Barbara (A. Spiteri), G. Muir, L. Ramon Dos Santos, M. Pereira, K.M. Robinson (L. Scerri), M. Buttigieg, R. Brincat, L. Grech.
Referee Andre Arciola