St Andrews-Gozo 2-1

St Andrews have now moved to the top of the standings, one point ahead of Gzira United, who, however, have a game in hand.

The Saints were the better team throughout the first period and after just eight minutes Michael Calleja shot high when all alone in front of goal.

The Saints sustained the pressure and in the 35th minute, from a freekick taken by Michael Ellul, Jonathan Bugeja headed the ball onto the crossbar.

Barely two minutes later St Andrews opened the score as a shot by Nicky Vella Petroni was saved partially by Sultana and Kurt Coleiro was on hand to head home to give the Saints a deserved lead.

During the second half the Gozitans played the better football but it was St Andrews who made it 2-0 on 47 minutes through an opportunistic goal by Kurt Coleiro.

Three minutes later John Camilleri pulled a goal back for the Gozitans and this proved to be the turning point as they continued to attack, going close to an equaliser on a number of occasions.

Then John Camilleri’s shot finished just high and in the 62nd minute Saints’ defender Jonathan Bugeja headed back towards his own goal. Gauci did well to avoid an own goal by his team mate.

In the 75th minute St Andrews wasted a clear opportunity through Michael Calleja with the Gozitans’ late pressure being controlled by an organised Saints’ defence.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut.



Zurrieq-Rabat A 0-0

After just two minutes Zurrieq lost a clear opportunity through Oluseyi Ogun following good work by Johan Briffa.

Zurrieq maintained the initiative and were twice very close to opening the score through Daniel Zammit.

Rabat started dictating the proceedings and on 40 minutes they were denied by the Zurrieq keeper off an overhead kick by Adam Wingfield.

Rabat went close in the 55th minute as an Alan Zahra corner kick was headed onto the bar by Adam Smeir.

In the final stages, Rabat increased the pressure and went close through dangerous attempts by Carmel Tonna and substitute Jason Cassar.

At the end of it all the final result was the fairest one.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.



Senglea A-St Venera L 1-0

Although St Venera did the attacking throughout the first period they lacked punch up front, losing some clear chances in the process.

Senglea broke the deadlock midway through the half when a Nazzareno Abela effort hit the crossbar and Bjorn Dalli headed in from close range to give his team the lead.

Senglea were denied by Azzopardi off a point-blank effort by Bjorn Dalli. In the closing stages of the first period St Venera were unlucky to hit the crossbar off a George Falzon dipper and then wasted a clear opportunity through Veselji.

The second period belonged to St Venera who attacked for long stretches.

George Attard denied Alistair Camilleri with a fine save. Senglea replied through Bjorn Dalli whose effort was saved by Azzopardi.

In the 80th minute St Venera were denied the equaliser by Attard off a Stefan Farrugia free-kick and a minute from time Alistair Camilleri rounded the Senglea keeper but his shot was blocked on the goal line.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.



Zebbug R-Gharghur 3-2

Gharghur surprised their opponents with an early goal. In fact, after just four minutes, they opened the score through an Ian Borg free-kick as Bartolo misjudged the flight of the ball which ended in the back of the net.

Gradually Zebbug managed to settle down and equalised in the 19th minute as a Joe Mercieca free-kick was finished off by Mark Deguara.

At the other end Gharghur hit the upright through a Shaun Vella shot but Zebbug took the lead on 31 minutes through Stephen Calleja from a well taken direct free-kick.

In the 40th minute Zebbug made it 3-1 through a shot by Johan Cilia.

During the second period Gharghur dictated the run of play and they were close in the 55th minute through Shaun Vella.

They managed to pull back a goal in the 71st minute as a David Galea square pass was finished off by substitute Ryan Debattista.

Seconds later Rangers’ defender Joe Mercieca cleared the ball off the goal line off a shot by Ian Borg and on another occasion Ian Borg tested the Zebbug keeper from a well taken free-kick.

The Rangers responded through Anthony Lagana whose effort was saved by Aquilina

In the 90th minute Gharghur’s defender Daniel Borg was sent off for a second caution.

After the final whistle an incident led to Rangers’ midfield player Anthony Lagana being booked for a second time. He was also shown the red card.

Referee: Paul Apap.