This was an exciting match with Mellieha gaining an important win over Lija Athletic through an Ibrahim Tarik goal scored seven minutes from time.

Mellieha are now favourites to gain promotion to the First Division League together with leaders Dingli Swallows. Mellieha opened on a high note with Wayne Borg St.John going close through a free-kick after just three minutes with Lija responding through Anthony Gera whose header was well saved by Vella.

In the 18th minute the Lija custodian Bonnici was beaten by a long-range free-kick by Borg St John for Mellieha’s lead. Lija came strongly back and went close through Beppe Antignolo and Anthony Gera but Mellieha could have increased their lead on 35 minutes as Kevin Gauci’s point-blank shot was saved by Bonnici.

Lija equalised a minute later as Beppe Antignolo’s pass was taken up by Anthony Gera who managed to shoot in past Vella. Four minutes before the break Anthony Gera was again on target as he made it 2-1 heading in from close-range. Three minutes into the second-half Lija were denied by Vella off a Gera header but gradually Mellieha shared the exchanges and they were back on level terms in the 73rd minute as Borg St John’s cross was headed in by Hubert Vella. Mellieha then were again close through Tarik with Lija’s reply producing a shot by Daniel Cremona which was saved by Vella. In the 83rd minute Mellieha forged ahead with Borg St.John crossing from the left flank and Ibrahim Tarik beat Bonnici for what proved to be the decisive goal.

Referee:- Glen Tonna.

Dingli S – Zebbug 2-0

Dingli Swallows clinched promotion to the First Division after they managed to beat Zebbug Rangers through goals scored by George Saliba and Jason Cachia. Zebbug Rangers wasted a first-half penalty through their captain Gordon Mallia.

The first-half was a balanced affair with both teams going close early on, Dingli through Jeffrey Zammit and Zebbug through Albert Ciantar. In the 19th minute an error by the Rangers’ custodian Duncan Galea allowed Dingli to take the lead through an ex-Rangers’ player George Saliba whose shot from mid-pitch finished at the back of the net.

On 24 minutes Zebbug could have equalised but Gordon Mallia wasted a penalty as he shot wide from the spot; the penalty was given by referee Calleja for a foul on Eric Sciberras. In the closing stages of the first period Zebbug were close on two occasions through Rodney Bugeja and Keith Farrugia. After the change of ends Dingli were the better team but it was Zebbug who could have equalised as an effort by Eric Sciberras bounced off the crossbar.

At the other end Dingli were denied by Galea off an attempt by Chris Ciappara but on 70 minutes Dingli put their minds at rest with Jason Cachia heading in from a Jeffrey Zammit corner-kick. The Rangers’ reaction was practically inexistent as Dingli created another opportunity through substitute Jonathan Sapiano.

Referee:- Darren Calleja.

Gudja U – Melita 1-4

Melita dominated their match against Gudja United to come out worthy winners. Gudja who have lost their Second Division status, suffered their 14th defeat of the season.

After nine minutes Melita were close through Joseph Vassallo whose shot was saved by Zammit. The Amateurs continued to dictate the run of play and the Gudja keeper was again in action as he stopped shots by Jonathan Mifsud and Kane Micallef.

In the 30th minute Mark Hyzler crossed from the right flank and Joseph Vassallo’s effort was cleared off the goal line but four minutes later Melita took a deserved lead through Kane Micallef following another good move by Hyzler. Ten minutes before the break Michael Martin beat Gudja’s substitute keeper Matthew Xerxen with a grounder to give his team a deserved 2-0 half-time lead. Eight minutes into the second period Melita added a third goal with Mark Hyzler’s free-kick being headed in by Kane Micallef and later on Simon Galea from a well-taken free-kick hit the crossbar.

On 73 minutes a Kane Micallef was finished off by Julian Galea to make it 4-0 but five minutes later Carlos Scicluna reduced the arrears for Gudja. In the closing stages the Melita custodian Sapiano brought off a fine save to deny Scicluna.

Referee:- Duncan Sultana.

St. Andrew’s – B’Bugia 2-2

A dramatic equaliser scored by B’Bugia’s striker Neville Farrugia in the 93rd minute earned B’Bugia a point against St.Andrews as the latter remained in a dangerous situation together with Zebbug Rangers.

Both teams are trying to avoid the Play-Offs. St.Venera also benefitted from this result since they are now sure of playing Second Division football next season.

The first-half was a balanced affair with St.Andrews breaking the deadlock after six minutes through a penalty given for a foul on Adrian Galea and converted by the Saints’ keeper Frederick Tabone. B’Bugia wasted a good opportunity through Noel Tabone with the Saints replying through Ian Borg whose lob just missed the target.

In the 37th minute B’Bugia gained a corner-kick which was taken by Jason Cassar and Denis Baldacchino headed on for Neville Farrugia to shoot home from close-range.

Two minutes later St.Andrew’s scored through Jonathan Briscoe White but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement. However the Saints took the lead three minutes before the break with Edward Hili crossing for Patrick Briscoe White to lob in from close-range. At the other end B'Bugia were very close through Aldrin Muscat.

Three minutes after the restart B’Bugia went close through Aldrin Muscat but from then onwards the Saints gained the initiative and went close to increasing their lead through Neil Chetcuti, Jeremy Gatt Coleiro and Patrick Briscoe White.

On 70 minutes the Saints scored through Anthony Galea but he was in an offside position and the goal was disallowed. The Saints then missed a sitter through Kevin Camilleri but three minutes into added time B'Bugia obtained a dramatic equaliser through Neville Farrugia following an indecision by the Saints’ defenders.

Referee:- Mario Apap