Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/963162
maltatoday SUNDAY 8 APRIL 2018 53 FOOTBALL Sports Lija Athletic ................. 1 St Andrews .................. 2 WARREN ZAMMIT ST Andrews needed a win over Lija Athletic in order to keep on fighting against relegation. On the other hand, Lija had nothing to play for as they are already rel- egated after going through a dis- astrous season. Following their 7-0 defeat against Hibernians, Joseph Galea made five changes in his starting eleven. Jonathan Martinelli, Pat- rick Borg, Abubaker Bello Osag- ie, Alain Rapha Kooh Sohna and Ousmae Sidibe replaced Luke Bonnici, Dylan Agius, Predrag Babic, Gabriel Borg and Ryan Sammut. Meanwhile, Michael Woods made two changes to the team that was narrowly defeated by Valletta. Matthew Gauci and Travis Blagrove started instead of Tano Azian and Marcus Grima. As expected, St Andrews start- ed on the offensive and went close after three minutes. From a corner, Joseph Farrugia delivered a cross that was met by Travis Blagrove who headed the ball slightly over. The post denied St Andrews on the 29th minute. Degran Jackson hit a diagonal shot from distance that stamped off the woodwork. Lija replied a minute later. Abubaker Bello Osagie's shot from distance was saved by Mat- thew Calleja Cremona. Galea's side threatened St An- drews again on the 33rd minute. Following a mistake by Blagrove, Beu ran towards goal and hit a low shot that was neutralised by Calleja Cremona. The Saints broke the deadlock on the 36th minute. Joseph Fa- rrugia sent a cross from the right f lank that went into the path of Kevaughn Atkinson who placed the ball past Martinelli. St Andrews lost a golden oppor- tunity one minute into the se- cond half. Kemar Reid went past a number of defenders and ended up in front of Martinelli. Howe- ver, the Jamaican player failed to hit the target from close range. Reid went close to score once more on the 55th minute. The twenty-three year old midfielder fired a low shot that hit the post. Atkinson doubled the score for St Andrews on the 56th minu- te. The player of the match hit a powerful drive from distance that gave Martinelli no chance. Lija pulled one back on the 70th minute. Abubaker Bello Osagie served Beu inside the penalty area and the latter saw his low shot going inside the net. Beu went close again for Lija on the 78th minute. The Albanian striker sent a shot from distance that failed to hit the target. St Andrews could have sealed the issue four minutes later. Fa- rrugia sent Reid through on goal, but the young midfielder took his time to conclude and was denied by Martinelli. In the remaining minutes, Lija never caused any trouble for St Andrews as Michael Woods's side took the three points. Lija Athletic starting line-up: Jonathan Martinelli, Patrick Borg, Leon Muscat, Daniel Scerri, Abubaker Bello Osagie, Aaron Sammut, McAllister Clinch, Erjon Beu, Kei Hirose, Alain Ra- pha Kooh Sohna (Ryan Sammut- 65), Ousmane Sidibe St Andrews starting line-up: Matthew Calleja Cremona, Adri- an Borg, Misael Miranda Gomez, Joseph Farrugia, Jason Van De Lannoite, Ricardo Martin (Mar- cus Grima- 73), Matthew Gauci, Kevaughn Atkinson, Degran Jackson (Jacob Walker- 65), Ke- mar Reid, Travis Blagrove Referee: Luis Miguel Do Nas- ciueuto Teixeira (Andorra) Assistant Referees: Hugo Jourdan, Marta Sau Juan Fourth Official: Joau Guiu BOV Player of the Match: Kevaughn Atkinson (St An- drews) Tarxien Rainbows ......... 3 Balzan ......................... 1 TARXIEN scored the opening goal on the 34th minute. Ri- cardinho Faria Da Silva delivered a cross towards Samba Tounka- ra whose header stunned Sean Mintoff. The Rainbows doubled their lead on the 75th minute. Eduard Calin hit a stunning shot from distance that gave Mintoff no chance. Balzan pulled one back three minutes later. Alex Da Paixao Alves saw his shot from the edge of the penalty area going inside the net. Things went from bad to worse for Balzan as Milos Lepovic was sent off after being shown his second yellow card. Jose Borg's side sealed the is- sue on the 86th minute. Samba Tounkara went through on a good run and placed the ball past Mintoff.Following this re- sult, Tarxien can breathe a sigh of relief as they are now eleventh. However, Balzan will feel disap- pointed as this game might cost them the title. Tarxien Rainbows starting line-up: Andrea Cassar, Stefan Radovanovic, Ebiabowei Baker, Gabriel Aquilina, Luke Grech, Andre` Scicluna, Samba Tounka- ra, Baubacar Traore, Eduard Ca- lin, Ricardinho Faria Da Silva, Sean Cipriott Balzan starting line-up: Sean Mintoff, Uros Ljubomirac, Ivan Bozovic, Alex Da Paixao Alves, Elkin Serrano Valero, Paul Fene- ch, Milos Lepovic, Steve Bezzina, Bojan Kaljevic, Michael Johnson, Carlos Eduardo De Fiori Mendes Referee: Fyodor Zammit Assistant Referees: Mitchell Scerri, Christopher Francalanza Fourth Official: Paul Apap BOV Player of the Match: An- drea Cassar (Tarxien) St Andrews edge past Lija Leaders Balzan beaten by Tarxien Rainbows Three precious points won against bottom side Lija Athletic might prove crucial for St Andrews in their battle against relegation Mc Allister Clinch (Lija) and Degran Jackson (St Andrews) in action. Photo: Dominic Borg PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINE BORG PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOMINIC BORG