Lija A 0

Naxxar L 1

Naxxar returned to winning ways after two consecutive defeats, when they beat Lija with a Da Silva goal early in the second half.

It was a deserved victory for the Lions who had in Lima De Siquiera their best player. For Lija this was their second consecutive defeat after a four-match positive run. The victory in a rather drab match which only came to life in stoppage tiem, puts Naxxar above the same Lija in the middle of the table.

Naxxar had more of the ball in the opening stages, but Lija were solid at the back even though Renato Conceicao played in midfield. However goalmouth actions were very few in the first half.

Just before the break Naxxar missed a great chance when a Da Silva corner was not cleared by the Lija defenders, but Falzon lost his balance and blasted high from two metres. Lija also miss ed a sitter when Spiteri fumbled a harmless looking cross but Scerri failed to capitalize.

On 58 minutes Naxxar scored the all important goal when Lima Siqueira passed towards Andre Da Silva who from a dubious offside position advanced to beat Ini with a low shot.

The match reserved its best to the last minute of stoppage time when Lija could have snatched a dramatic equalizer. Naxxar goalkeeper Spiteri completely misjudged his sortie, but luckily for him Scerri’s header slammed against the bar. In a quick Naxxar break substitute Agboebina hit the base of the upright.

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

Naxxar L:J. Spiteri, L.Micallef, A. Farrugia, R. Schembri, A. Attard, J. Debono, M. Maccari, A. Da Silva (O. Agboebina), M. Del Negro, H. Lima Siqueira, D. Falzon (K. Farrugia).

Referee: M. Borg