Tarxien R 2
San Gwann 1
Tarxien managed to hold on to their slender lead to beat ten-man San Gwann with the odd goal in three. The match was very interesting with Tarxien dominating the first half building a two-goal lead, and with San Gwann coming strongly back in the second half, with Doncic scoring his first goal for San Gwann.
However San Gwann's late rally proved useless as Tarxien snatched three very important points that put them on top of the table.
San Gwann took the initiative from the early stages but Tarxien scored after only two minutes when Ryan Darmanin fired in the corner of the net from close range following a San Gwann lapse in defence.
With Okoro playing a blinder in front of Tarxien's defensive wall, San Gwann found the going hard and only tried to make way towards Curmi through long range freekicks taken by Clint Gatt.
Tarxien were always dangerous whenever they had possession of the ball, and scored the second goal on 22 minutes. Stefan Farrugia passed to Alan Tabone who back-heeled towards Ryan Darmanin who beat Justin Spiteri for the second time.
The second half started with Doncic coming in for Giordemaina. However Tarixen went close again when Alan Tabone's low shot slightly missed the base of the upright.
San Gwann tried to get back into the match with a Cuschieri shot going wide and a Sciberras close range header saved by Curmi. On 63 minutes San Gwann were dealt a severe blow when Alan Spiteri was sent off for dissent. Five minutes later Tarxien should have wrapped the match but Shead's menacing header was well saved by Spiteri.
Doncic, playing his best match of the season, played a good ball to Karl Sciberras but the Tarxien goalkeeper blocked in time. Nine minutes from time San Gwann reduced the gap when Danilo Doncic beat Curmi with a well taken shot from the edge of the area.
St. Patrick 2
Senglea A. 4
Senglea took sweet revenge over St Patrick who had eliminated them from the U*Bet FA Trophy two weeks ago, by beating them 4-2 in an exciting and spectacular match.
Two weeks ago Senglea were humiliated 4-0, but yesterday the match had a different ending with Senglea emerging worthy winners.
The best of the match was surely reached in the second half with all the six goals scored, and other goalmouth actions.
Some of the goals were of the highest quality, especially the two freekicks scored by Failla for St Patrick.
Senglea enjoyed the lion’s share in the first half and the depleted Saints had to defend for long stretches. On 20 minutes Fsadni's attempt was saved by Cassar who was confirmed in the Zabbar goal.
In the last minutes of the first half, Senglea had three good opportunities to take the lead. But shots from Fsadni and Dozie (twice) went wide.
Senglea forged ahead on 57 minutes. A Dozie freekick was not adequately cleared by the Saints' defence and Glenn Bonello scored a beauty with a grounder from the edge of the area.
Six minutes later St Patrick were back on level terms with a gem of a goal scored direct from a freekick by Gordon Failla whose left footer finished at the back of the net.
Senglea were back in the lead on 69 minutes when Dozie headed beautifully home a good cross from the right by Darren Grech.
The goal saga continued with St Patrick obtaining the equaliser eight minutes later on 77 minutes, with yet another freekick by Gordon Failla who scored another gem of a goal from near the corner flag.
Just a minute later Senglea were back in the lead. Lawrence Attard scored from close range following a Dozie header, with the Saints claiming that their goalkeeper was fouled in the process. Two minutes later Dozie went close again with his freekick hitting the side netting.
With the Saints desperately in search of their third consecutive equaliser, Senglea found ample space to operate their dangerous counter breaks, and on 95 minutes Senglea scored the fourth and final goal to put the issue beyond doubt. Dozie started the move with the Saints' rearguard completely off balance and substitute Jeremy Gatt beat Cassar with a good diagonal shot.