Late goals see Lija through
Two late goals gave Lija a more than deserved victory against Sirens to keep up the challengefor promotion. Lija attacked for the whole 90 minutes missing several scoring chances, and with Sirens goalkeeper Romano in splendid form
Lija had two good scoring opportunities inside the first ten minutes and Erjon Beu grounder-slightly missing the base of the upright and a point blank Daniel Scerri shot well saved by goalkeeper Romano. On 13 minutes another glorious chance for Lija when Lee Joe Schembri beat the offside trap but his lob went slightly over the bar.
Lija continued to press froward and Romano made a great save off a Carl Cassar effort. On thehalf hour Bello Osagie headed wide from an ideal position after a good run onthe left by Beu. Romano was again decisive when he blocked Erjon Beu’s lob.
Romano was immediately called in action on the resumption blocking a Bello Osagie header,and on 55 minutes Sirens had their first attempt at goal with Bonnici saving in style Iro Curmi’s grounder. On 68 minutes Sirens had another good counter break with Daniel Agius’ shot slightly missing the base of the upright.
Sixty seconds later Beu missed a sitter all alone in front of goal. Beu made amends ten minutes from time when Lee Joe Schembri had an impreesive run on the right and crossed towards Bello Osagie, whose header found Beu completely unmarked, and the Albanian striker made no mistake.
Five minuteslater Lija sealed the issue when Romano fumbled the ball from a corner action and defender Leon Muscat was on hand to fire the ball home. In stoppage time Sirens pulled one back when Daniel Sant fired home to settle a melee in frontof the Lija fort.
Lija A: L.Bonnici, C. Cassar (R. Sammut), P. Babic (E. Da Silva Santos), L. Muscat, D.Scerri, E. Beu, L.J. Schembri, M. Clinch, P. Dandolo (A. Galea), A. Bello Osagie, A. Borg.
Sirens: G.Romano, D. Zampa, L. Zammit (A. Rashed), L. Gabrieli, D. Sant, I. Curmi, J.P.Azzopardi, D. Agius, R. Sciberras, D. Bonnici, C. Newuche.
Referee: DarrylAgius