Qormi registered their first victory after two drawn games while Rabat have three points from the same number of games.

After a balanced first half, Qormi enjoyed the lion’s share of exchanges after the restart.

From a free kick by Jonathan Galea, Rabat keeper Joseph Agius saved a header by Clayton Barbara and from a free kick by Rodney Caruana, Keith Camilleri skied the ball when well placed in Rabat’s area.

Rabat reacted and Dalton Wingfield dribbled past a defender, entered the area and Qormi’ keeper Jurgen Cilia partially saved his shot with the ball being cleared.

On 16 minutes Rabat opened the score. Luke Portelli served George Portelli with a perfect through ball and the latter scored with a rising shot on entering the area.

Agius then saved on Camilleri after a Lydon Fenech through ball and he also saved on Camilleri after a short freekick by Galea.

Three minutes before half time Qormi equalised. After a flag kick by Barbara, Keith Camilleri was pushed in the area and the same player netted from the resultant penalty.

Qormi started on the offensive after the restart. From a Barbara flag kick Agius partially saved on Chris Vella and a defender cleared the ball to safety from a Galea free kick. Later, Camilleri drove out after a Gary Parnis through ball.

On 64 minutes Rabat were unlucky not to score a second goal. George Portelli crossed to Luke Portelli and the ball thumped against the bar from the latter’s shot, with Cilia beaten.

Qormi doubled on 69 minutes. Gary Parnis was fouled in Rabat’s half and Barbara netted from the resultant free kick from 25 metres. A minute later Qormi forward Camilleri was fouled as he was put through on the left flank, a free-for-all ensued and when calm was restored the referee showed the red card to Steve Debono of Rabat and Clayton Barbara of Qormi.

A minute before the end Qormi put the issue beyond doubt. Parnis put substitute Larken Vella through who netted with a low shot on entering the area.

Referee: Aaron Fenech.

Player of the Match: Gary Parnis (Qormi)

Zebbug R 1

St. George’s 1

Zebbug won their first point after three games. Three red cards were shown during the game. After a balanced first period, St. George’s had the lion’s share of the exchanges after the resumption.

At the start, Steve Farrugia served Philip Seguna from a free kick but he failed to apply the killer touch when well placed in the St. George’s area. At the other end, a flag kick by Shawn Farrugia was cleared with difficulty by the Saints’ defenders.

In a Zebbug counter attack, Matthew Borg I put Carlos Xriha through but the latter’s shot missed the bar by inches.

On 21 minutes Zebbug were reduced to ten men as Steve Farrugia was shown the red card for foul language. Josef Dalli crossed to Alfred Bonnici but Zebbug goalie Borg denied him with a diving save.

On 34 minutes Zebbug forged ahead; Matthew Borg I put Xriha through, who outsped a defender, entered the area and lobbed the ball into the net past Saints’ keeper Kyle Fenech.

Two minutes before half time Fenech denied Mark Cilia with a save to corner after an Elton Calleja through ball.

St. George’s started on the offensive after the resumption with Zebbug trying to react on the break. Borg had to fist the ball away from a Dalli flag kick and later saved in two attempts a shot by Wayne Gatt.

On 47 minutes St. George’s equalised; a cross by Dalli was partially cleared and Bellotti shot in the rebound from outside the area.

The wood work denied the Saints the winning goal on the hour when a shot by Charles Bonnici thumped against the crossbar with Borg beaten.

The Saints resumed their pressure and Borg foiled Gatt with a timely sortie after a Dalli through ball.

Seven minutes before the end St. George’s were also reduced to ten men as Josef Dalli was shown the red card after a second booking, and hardly a minute later Elton Calleja of Zebbug followed suit for a vicious tackle.

Referee: Chris Francalanza

Player of the Match: Matthew Borg I (Zebbug).