Lija register first win
San Gwann-Lija A 1-2
San Gwann: A. Camilleri, R. Bailey, J. Azzopardi, J.N. Azzopardi, R. Zammit, A. Cachia, A. Borg, N. Abouaisha (P. Kanzurov), K. Gatt (J.P. Attard), J. Tanti, G.B Henshaw
Lija A: Z. Valletta, C.J. Cassar, P. Borg, D. Scerri, E. Beu, M. Clinch, K. Koken, P. Soares Gusso, R. Sammut, A. Azzopardi, A. Galea
Referee: Paul Toledo
Scorers: Kuroki Koken 7', 40' (L), Jean Paul Attard (SG)
Japanese import Koken Kuroki scored two first half goals to put Lija on track for their first win of the season. For San Gwann this was the third successive defeat at this start of the season as they remain with no points at the bottom of the table.
San Gwann could have snatched a point with a late rally, but the Yellowblues missed a couple of chances near the end and had to leave the field empty handed.
Lija started on a top note with Kuroki opening the score on seven minutes and with the same player going close on 17 minutes. Five minutes from the break Kuroki headed home an Aiden Galea cross and just before the break San Gwann were unlucky when an Abouhaisa effort hit the upright.
On 70 minutes San Gwann pulled one back thorugh Jean Paul Attard and in the remaining minutes missed two glorious chances through Henshaw and Jean Paul Attard.
Derby settled by early Hili goal
Pembroke A-Swieqi U 1-0
Pembroke A: A. Chetcuti, M. Focsa, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, D. Camilleri, M. De Rosa Wilmsem (I. Misan 75'), D. Cachia, A. Hili, N. Grech, M.A. Borg, Y. Tonna (C. Psaila 90'), G. Claudio Da Silva.
Swieqi U: J.C. Debattista, J. Cassar, K. Muscat, K. Sultana (G. Bugeja 78'), B. Menenzes Pinheiro (E. Ayorinde 60'), V. Olowoyo, S. Ibrahim (A. Margarit 69'), K. Ekezie, M. Farrugia, S. Bugeja, L. Scicluna
Referee: Shaun Calleja
Scorer: Aaron Hili 4’
The derby between Pembroke and Swieqi was settled early in the match when Aaron Hili beat the offside trap and lobbed beautifully over the onrushing Swieqi goalkeeper. This was on the fourth minute and to be fair Swieqi never recovered from this shock start.
Their defence was often caught at sixes and sevens with Wilmsem doing much of the damage on the flanks. The experienced Mifsud Triganza and Yanis Tonna together with Focsa also had avery good game.
Swieqi disappointed as the newly promoted side fell to its first defeat of the season. Although Swieqi made a desperate effort late in the to save it, Pembroke were always in full control.
However this rather boring derby had a dramatic finale when deep in stoippage time Swieqi were awarded a penalty for a handling infringement, but Romanian striker Alin Ion Margarit failed to score from the spot with Antonio Chetcuti blocking his shot.
Gudja rue missed penalty
Gudja U-Vittoriosa S 1-1
Gudja U: F. Tabone, L. Martinelli, J. Bondin, M. Bonnici, J. Lima Siqueira, A. Ramon, S. Diacono, J. Farrugia, S. Hili, P.P. Sammut (I. Montanaro 35'), A. Marshall.
Vittoriosa S: J. Pisani, K. Degiorgio, G. Sultana (C. Spiteri 44')(D. Zampa 65'), J. Ogunnupe, A. Cilia Mumford (T. Abela Wilson 46'), J. Briffa, R. Previ, J. Pace, N. Ojuola, J.C. Galea, M. De Souza Diaz.
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Scorers: Adolphus Marshall 28' (G), Joseph Ogunnupe 45' pen (V)
Jackson Lima missed a second half penalty and Gudja had to settle for a draw yesterday against Vittoriosa in yet another balanced game. For both sides this was the third successive draw in as many matches.
Both sides hit the posts in the opening minutes, Diacono for Gudja and De Souza Diaz for Vittoriosa. Gudja took the lead on 28 minutes when defender Marshall headed home from close range.
Just before the break Vittoriosa drew level when De Souza Diaz was brought down by Mauro Bonnici and Joseph Ogunnupe made no mistake from the spot.
In the second half Gudja held the initiativ for long stretches but missed their best chance when Jackson Lima failed to beat Pisani from the penalty spot
Mqabba' first victory
Mqabba-Marsa 3-1
Mqabba: J. Debono, R. G Da Silva, L. Mallia, D. Vukovic, B. Grech, W. Borg, C. Vella, D. Azzopardi, F. Gusman (G. Micallef), L. Celotta (L. Farrugia), L. Suma
Marsa: K. Brincat, S. Darmanin, M. Busuttil, N. Mocyk, R.J. De Fex Marriaga, M. Gauci, C. Cassar, E. Cutajar, N. Micallef, A. Agius, L. Chiedozie
Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Scorers: Wayne Borg 22' (MQ), Larson Mallia 74', 93' pen (MQ), Aaron Agius 80' pen (MR)
Larson Mallia scored two late goals to settle the issue in favour of Mqabba against Marsa in a keenly contested match. For Clive Mizzi's eleven this was the first victory of the season after two consecutive opening draws.
Marsa did the early running but had to chase their opponents as Wayne Borg put Mqabba in front on 22 minutes. Marsa had a very good reaction but missed some good scoring opportunities especially through Chiedozie.
In the second half Marsa had more of the attacks but on 73 minutes Larson Mallia scored a good goal with a fierce drive. Ten minutes from time Marsa were back in business with an Aaron Agius penalty, but deep in stoppage time Mqabba sealed the issue when Larson Mallia converted a penalty for his second goal.