Leaders Gzira United had to settle for just one point in a match which they dominated during the second period. Ghaxaq broke the deadlock after just five minutes through Bjorn Dalli but barely three minutes later Mark Brincat headed in from Kevin Spiteri’s free-kick to make it one-all. Gradually Ghaxaq gained the upper hand in the midfield sector and were twice denied by Gzira’s custodian Ellul off efforts by Justin Camilleri and Kim Caruana. On another occasion Bjorn Dalli shot just wide when all alone in front of goal. Gzira dominated the second half and early on a Keith Bonello header was well saved by Celeste. Then a Clyde Pace dipper was turned onto the post by the Ghaxaq keeper and subsequently Gzira were denied by the post on two occasions off attempts by Andre Buttigieg and Clyde Pace. Later on Kevin Agius missed an incredible opportunity following an error by the Ghaxaq keeper.
Referee:Glen Tonna.
Fgura U.-Mgarr U. 0-1
Joe Grech’s team Mgarr United beat Fgura in an entertaining match during which both teams created various goal scoring opportunities. After the change of ends Mgarr broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute through David Muscat following an indecision by the Fgura defence. Fgura reacted strongly and were unlucky when they hit the crossbar through Matthew Spiteri’s close-range header but late in the match Fgura’s custodian Renald Attard twice came to his side’s rescue as he stopped dangerous shots by William Camilleri and Matthew Gauci.
Referee:Aaron Fenech.
Luqa-Qrendi 2-3
Mario Mifsud’s team Qrendi, recovered from their defeat against Fgura United with a hard-earned victory over Luqa, the latter suffering their first defeat of the season. Luqa went close early on through Oliver Cutajar and Randolph Penza but they managed to break the deadlock in the 31st minute when Oliver Cutajar’s free-kick was headed in by Adrian Psaila. Qrendi then wasted an easy opportunity through Kevin Naudi but the same player was fouled by Chris Penza in the 45th minute and from the resultant penalty it was Tano Farrugia who scored an equaliser for Qrendi. Two minutes into the second-half Luqa hit the post through a Randolph Penza header but it was Qrendi who scored in the 53rd minute through Kevin Naudi following an indecision by the Luqa defence. Luqa reacted and after going close through Owen Psaila, the same player made it two-all in the 84th minute after Cutajar’s shot had been blocked. In the 91st minute Luqa’s keeper Psaila saved partially to deny Karl Vella Petroni but Tano Farrugia was on hand to tab the all into the net for Qrendi’s winner.
Referee:- Mitchell Scerri.
Kirkop U-Xghajra T. 1-1
Xghajra obtained their first point of the season with Kirkop still without a win as they have drawn their opening two matches. The first period proved to be a balanced affair with Xghajra however creating the better chances.Kirkop managed to break the deadlock in the 63rd minute with Aldo Azzopardi crossing from the left flank for Charlo Debattista hitting home with an excellent shot. Xghajra reacted strongly and in the 69th minute a mistake by the Kirkop defence led to Xghajra’s equaliser scored by Godfrey Micallef In the closing stages Mizzi twice denied Xghajra off attempts by Daniel Axisa and Godfrey Micallef.
Referee: Andrea Scriha.
Gharghur-Siggiewi 2-0
Louis Facciols’s team gained their second consecutive win as they beat Siggiewi through two second-half goals. After 11 minutes Gharghur went close through Ludvic Bartolo who headed just wide from a Clifford Mifsud corner-kick. On 25 minutes Gharghur missed an easy opportunity through Bartolo who was set free by Mifsud with Siggiewi responding through dangerous efforts by Josef Micallef and Chris Bugeja. Two minutes into the second-half Gharghur took the lead through Wayne Mallia with Siggiewi coming back on two occasions as attempts by Pierre Spiteri and Eman Ciappara were saved by Edwards. Gharghur increased their lead on 62 minutes through Lawrence Vella following an indecision by Ryan Agius with Siggiewi then being very unlucky when the post twice denied them off a shot by Josef Micallef and a header by Eman Ciappara. Gharghur’s Ryan Debattista was sent off for a double caution.
Referee: Sandro Spiteri.
Attard-Pembroke 0-2
Pembroke Athleta gained their first win of the season with Carlo Leonardi proving to make all the difference between the two sides as his first-half brace proved to be decisive. After just three minutes Pembroke were in front through an excellent goal scored by their striker Leonardi. . Then Attard had a shot by Clive Lanzon which hit the crossbar Seven minutes after the restart Attard suffered a fatal blow when they were reduced to ten players as Yan Grech was shown the red card following an incident with an opposing player. Despite Attard’s efforts to reduce the arrears it was Pembroke who wasted an easy opportunity through Leonardi late in the game.
Referee:Thomas Debono.