Lija Athletic win Division One title on dramatic afternoon

Lija Athletic were crowned BOV Division One champions on an afternoon of unremitting drama with the title race in the balance until the final minutes. For a time, it looked as though Lija and Naxxar Lions were set for decider as both were winning but the latter eventually succumbed to a 4-2 defeat to Senglea Athletic, to the delight of Lija who beat Mqabba 2-1. Lee Joe Schembri gave Lija the lead on the 19th minute and Erjon Beu converted a penalty just before half-time. Lyden Micallef narrowed the deficit for Mqabba six minutes in the second half but Lija survived a tense finale to preserve their lead and win the Division One title for the first time in their history. Lija Athletic finished one point ahead Senglea Athletic who produced a remarkable comeback after falling two goals behind in their final-day clash with fellow promoted side Naxxar Lions. A quickfire brace from Joel Ellul gave Naxxar Lions a two-goal lead early in the second half but Senglea refused to lie down. Juninho Cabral hit home from the penalty spot, after Terence Vella was adjudged to have been brought down in the box, to spark Senglea’s revival. Mark Borg equalised with 12 minutes left before Cabral converted his second penalty nine minutes from the end. Three minutes later, Senglea had the three points sewn up with a goal from James Audgustine Obaje Smith which sparked great celebrations among the numerous Yellow-Red fans. Qormi will play against the second-bottom team in the BOV Premier League despite their 2-1 defeat to Sirens. Charles Newuche and Daniel Agius were on the scoresheet for Sirens with Lawrence Chedozie pulling one back for Qormi in stoppage time. Qormi finished fourth on 46 points, two ahead of Mqabba.