The Malta Independent on Sunday
Late comeback saves Naxxar
Football - BoV First Division
Lija A Naxxar L 3 3
With 11 minutes to go, Lija looked set fro an important victory against the league leaders, but the Lions had other ideas as in the remaining minutes, Naxxar saved the match and went even close to a dramatic winner, in a spectacular match between two of the best outfits of the category.
On 12 minutes, Lija took the lead when Aiden Galea floated a precise freekick inside the box and Leon Muscat headed home a beauty.
Naxxar almost obtained the equaliser two minutes later when Lija defender Antoine Borg cleared off the goal line following a corner action.
On 16 minutes, Lija doubled the score when Ryan Sammut crossed towards Erjon Beu who went past a defender before drilling the ball home for a well executed goal.
Naxxar tried to react and Lija retreated in defence and on 27 minutes Naxxar pulled one back when a Jurgen Debono freekick smashed against the upright and from the melee that ensued in front of goal, Ademec Lubos managed to slot the ball home.
Naxxar Lions stormed forward on the resumption with the Lija defence passing through some anxious moments, but on 70 minutes Lija re-established their two-goal cushion when substitute Predrag Babic headed home a beauty from a Beu corner.
Eleven minutes from time Naxxar were back in business when Jurgen Debono passed towards substitute Lorenzo Andriuoli who slotted home from close range.
Naxxar were now in full forcing and managed to save the match two minutes from time through Yuri Messias.
In stoppage time, Lija were reduced to ten men when Patrick Borg received a second booking. Seconds later an Andriuoli shot was saved by Bonnici and from the rebound Lubos’ shot hit the base of the upright.
Lija A: L. Bonnici, C. Cassar, L. Muscat (K. Drakard), P. Borg, D. Scerri, E. Beu, A. Galea, J. Garcia Vidal (P. Babic), A. Bello Osagie, R. Sammut (A. Sammut), A. Borg.
Naxxar L: O. Borg, A. Buhagiar, N. Spiteri, D. Bonnici, R. Cassar, John Debono (J. Ellul), R. Grech (M. Fenech), S. Guevara Munoz (L. Andriuoli), Jurgen Debono, A. Lubos, Y. Messias.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant