A goal scored by Jason Cassar five minutes from time earned Birzebbuga St Peter’s their second win of the season with Rabat conceding their second defeat from three matches. The first-half was a very balanced affair with both teams more focused on not conceding a goal. After just seven minutes Birzebbuga won a free-kick which was taken by Vince Camilleri and Borg did well to save.

Borg was again in action in the 11th minute as he brought off a difficult save off a Jason Cassar cross-shot with Rabat coming back in the 27th minute through Adam Smeir who hit just wide from a well-taken free-kick.

Just before the break Rabat created two good opportunities through Keith Micallef and Alan Zahra whose efforts just missed the target. The second period proved to be much more exciting with Birzebbuga’s substitute Aldrin Muscat dribbling his way past two Rabat defenders before beating the Rabat keeper from close-range.

Rabat were back on level terms in the 65th minute with Adam Smeir crossing low for Jonathan Bezzina to hit home from close-range. In the 72nd minute Kayne Said was put free by Keith Micallef but Fardell blocked to deny the Ajax a certain goal and two minutes later Fardell again saved his side when he parried a point-blank shot by Adam Smeir. In the 85th minute Birzebbuga scored the winning goal through an excellent shot by Jason Cassar with Rabat going close in injury-time through Jonathan Bezzina.

Referee – Glen Tonna.

Melita AFC-St Venera Lightnings 0-1

The Lightnings gained their second win of the season after beating the Amateurs through a second-half penalty. St Venera were the better team throughout the first forty-five minutes with the Amateurs having to defend for long stretches. After just two minutes David Azzopardi hit just high over the bar from a good position and later on the post denied them from taking the lead off Glen Micallef’s direct free-kick. Six minutes later St Venera were again unlucky as a shot by David Azzopardi bounced off the crossbar with Melita wasted a good opportunity in the 31st minute through Matthew Borg I.

Melita then again went close through Simon Mifsud Bonnici with the Lightnings’ reply producing a Dylan Mercieca free-kick which was saved by Sapiano.

Early on in the second period Melita created goal scoring opportunities through Matthew Borg I with St Venera once again being unlucky when they hot the post for the third time through David Azzopardi.

Melita also hit the crossbar in the 72nd minute through Matthew Borg II with St Venera gaining a penalty four minutes later for a foul by Jonathan Mifsud on Mark Grech and substitute Clayton Garzia scored from the spot. St Venera again went close through Brian Micallef with the Amateurs suffering a severe blow in the 84th minute when they were reduced to ten players as goalkeeper Sapiano committed a foul on Mark Grech when the latter was deemed to be in a clear goal scoring position.

Referee – Trustan Farrugia Cann