St Patrick 1

Lija A 3

St Patrick were yesterday relegated to Division Two after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Lija Athletic.

Lija fully deserved their victory as the Saints only made a feeble reaction in the second half, but it was too little too late for the Saints as they make an immediate return to Division Two next season.

Lija dominated the first half as St Patrick were never in the picture and were completely outclassed by a faster and more determined side.

The Saints needed a victory to keep their hopes alive but were caught by surprise as Lija were all over the place hitting the post after only three minutes through Erjon Beu.

Two minutes later Ige shot slightly wide from an ideal position. On 16 minutes an Andre Scicluna scorcher was well saved by Jonathan Grech and five minutes later Lija took a deserved lead.

Daniel Scerri’s long ball found Gilbert Camilleri completely unmarked and the striker made no mistake with a low shot. The Saints failed to make a reaction and Lija continued to weave their attacks, with the Saints’ defence under constant pressure.

On 38 minutes, Lija doubled the score when Andre Scicluna crossed from the left flank towards Benjamin Camilleri who hammered the ball home from close range.

The Saints started the second half with the right approach and went close with an Alex Ellul shot that was saved by Caruana.

But in a fast break, Lija were unlucky when Erjon Beu hit the base of the upright for the second time in the match.

On 65 minutes the Saints were back in business when Rigers Ceka scored a beauty direct from a freekick from over 30 metres.

The Saints were now all over their opponents as they pressed desperately for the equaliser.

In the final minute Lija put the issue beyond doubt when an Andre Scicluna shot completely deceived goalkeeper Grech with the ball finishing at the back of the net.

St. Patrick: J. Grech, C. Camilleri (D. Micallef), R. Ellul (M. Onurah), D. Fava, J. Farrugia, A. Galea, E. Grech (M. Micallef), S. Spasov, S. Zerafa, A. Ellul, R. Ceka.

Lija A: J. Caruana (L. Attard), C. Giordemaina, T. Fleri Soler, D. Scerri, E. Beu (E. Borg), G. Camilleri, B. Camilleri, B. Fenech, A. Scicluna, M. Fleri Soler, A. Ige (D. Mintoff)

Referee: Chris Lautier