Pembroke A.-Mqabba       2-1

Pembroke A: P. Schranz, A. Vukovic, M. Zarb, J.P. Mifsud Triganza, G. Azzopardi, T. Fenech, L. Mijic (D. Isakovic 63'), A. Sultana (N. Grech 88'), N. Frendo, J.P. Oliveira Santos, Y. Tonna (K. Frendo 55').

Mqabba: F. Tabone, B. Grech, D. Micallef, A. Ferreira, K. Magro, J. Micallef, P. Chimezie, F. Zammit, S. Kanayama (D. Najm 46'), N. Micallef (G. Micallef 28'), M. Caruana.

Referee: Shaun Calleja

Scorers: Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza 11' (P), Neil Frendo 33' (P), Alexsandro Ferreira 61' (M)

Pembroke kept marching on yesterday morning beating Mqabba by the odd goal in three to register their fourth successive victory. Pembroke are now among the front runners of this division and can be considered as one of the promotion contenders.

To be fair yesterday's was not one of the best for Pembroke but they practically had the game wrapped up in the first half after building a two-goal lead. On the resumption Mqabba pulled one back and tried to save the match, but in actual fact Pembroke were never in danger and held on to their slender lead till the final whistle.

 

Qrendi-Lija A                   3-2

Qrendi: D. Zarb, R. Mercieca, J. Silveira Da Silva (D. Santos Da Hora 46'), A. Agius, D. Azzopardi (D. Zarb 86'), E. Perdomo, D. Micallef, L. Martinelli, A. Nilsson, L.J. Schembri, C. Camilleri.

Lija A: L. Bonnici, C.J. Cassar (D. Scerri 70'), L. Muscat, R. Fenech (G. Borg 87'), M. Clinch, K. Seakanyeng, C. Giordimaina, F. Temile, A. Galea (H. Wood 24'), C. Gauci, A. White.

Referee: Darryl Agius

Scorers: Frank Temile 3' (L), Jonatan Silveira da Silva 31' (Q), Leon Muscat 46' (L), Lee Joe Schembri 68' (Q), Dhonatan Santos da Hora 90' (Q)

Substitute Dhonatan Santos Da Hora scored a great goal on 90 minutes to give Qrendi a dramatic victory against Lija in an exciting match. The victory puts Qrendi a mere two points Lija at the end of the first round.

On their part Lija missed a golden opportunity to join Zejtun Corinthians on top of the table by mid-season. In all fairness Lija did not deserve to leave the pitch empty handed, as they were arguably the best team on the field of play.

Lija had more of the ball and the best scoring opportunities, but Qrendi were always dangerous in their fast breaks. Qrendi chased their opponents throughout the match and never gave up and were finally rewarded.

 

Pieta H-Swieqi U              1-1

Pieta H: J. Chircop, T. Bartolo, N. Pace Cocks, J. Ghio (K. Mifsud 84'), D. Vukovic, C. Gauci (J.L. Caetano 57'), N. Pisani, S. Mizzi, K. Amehi, Q. Bregman, J. Scicluna (J. Delmar 85').

Swieqi U: C. Abdilla, K. Muscat, K. Sultana, A. Schembri Wismayer, S. Bugeja, M. Ivanovic, S. Ibrahim, M. De Albuquerqe (D. Majkic 66'), M. Farrugia, L. Grech (R. Taliana 78'), J. Azzopardi.

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Scorers: Salis Ibrahim 45' (S), Jose Lucas Caetano 71' pen (P)

In a low profile and at times boring match, Pieta and Swieqi figured in a 1-1 draw, a result that leaves both sides in a rather stable position in the middle of the tabel.

The point proved to be important for Pieta who were coming from three straight defeats, three defeats that cut them completely from the promotion contenders.

Both sides could and should produce more but yesterday was surely not their best day. Pieta had the only attempts in the first half but suffered Swieqi's goal just before the break when Salis Ibrahim headed home from close range.

In the second half Pieta were more determined in attack but only obtained the equaliser through a penalty scored by Jose Lucas Caetano who had come in as a substitute fifteen minutes earlier.