With a goal in each half, Lija Athletic defeated Tarxien Rainbows 2-0 at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday to join them on the 12-point mark.
This was the second win for Lija in three matches while for Tarxien, this was the third consecutive defeat.
Lija took the lead on the 18th minute thanks to Miguel Perez Jimenez who hit home from close range after an overhead kick by Brandan was partially saved by goalkeeper Jurgen Borg.
On the 67th minute, Fernando Javier Brandan doubled the score as he converted a penalty after a Tarxien player handled the ball inside the area.
LIJA Luke Bonnici, Leon Muscat, Ismael Borg, Neil Micallef, Fernando Javier Brandan, Walter Omar Serrano, Miguel Perez Jimenez, Juan Cruz Gill (79′ Harry Wood), Clayton Giordimaina, Carlos Flores, Valdo Goncalves Alhinho (74′ Daniel Scerri).
Subs not used: Dylan Galea, Carl Cassar, Alessio Galea, Beppe Antignolo, Andre White.
Coach: Joseph GaleaTARXIEN Jurgen Borg, Carlos Conceicao Filho, Edison Bilbao Zarate, Darren Falzon, Vito Plut, Eduardo Rosado, Luke Sciberras (59′ Jurgen Debono), Ivan Edgardo Paz, Kyle Gatt, Raphael Kooh Sohna, Camilo del Castillo Escobar.
Subs not used: Brandon Debono, Cedric Zahra, Matthew Spiteri, Luigi Bonavia, Dale Tabone, Keith Attard.
Coach: Winston MuscatReferee: Slobodan Petrovic
Assistant Referees: Edward Spiteri, Ivan Galea
Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia
Yellow Cards: Giordimaina, Alhinho, Paz, Chaba, Escobar, Kooh Sohna
BOV Player of the Match: Fernando Brandan