Lija Athletic and Pembroke Athleta registered comfortable wins as three matches were played from the BOV First Division on Friday.

Lija defeated Msida St. Joseph 5-0 – the fifth consecutive defeat for Msida. An own goal by Rennie Forace on 24 minutes paved the way for Lija who increased the lead through a brace by Abdullahi Ige Adeshina on 46 and 75 minutes and goals by Luca Casha on the 76th and Dylan Mintoff in added time.

Pembroke Athleta beat Birzebbuga St. Peter’s 4-0 – the sixth defeat in seven matches for the Saints. Ayrton Azzopardi put Pembroke ahead on the 10th minute. Siraj Arab Eddin doubled the score five minutes in the second half, Lucky Omeruo made it 3-0 on the 84th and Glenn Azzopardi scored the fourth one minute from time.

St. Andrews moved third thanks to a 3-1 win over Mqabba. Michael Johnson put Luxol ahead after just one minute but Douglas da Silva Silveira levelled matters on the 10th. However goals by Matthew Guillaumier and Matteo Desira Buttigieg on the 22nd and 30th minute handed St. Andrews victory.

Melita lead the way with 15 points, followed by Gudja on 14, St. Andrews 13, Mqabba and Lija 12, Vittoriosa and Pembroke 11, Gzira 10, Fgura, St. George’s, Zurrieq and Msida 6, Rabat 5 and Birzebbuga 1.