Both teams confirmed that they should be among the promotion contenders in a balanced match which could have gone either way.

Qrendi proved to be the better side during the first-half and they were close early on through Kurt Grima and Kevin Naudi.

In the 22nd minute Kalkara’s keeper Elvin Attard brought off a fine save to stop a Karl Vella Petroni free-kick and on 35 minutes the same keeper was again in action with a difficult save to deny Kevin Naudi.

Qrendi tried again just before the first half ended with Kurt Grima’s shot being blocked by Attard.

Kalkara were the better team during the second half with Qrendi’s promising keeper Camilleri twice denying them off attempts by Chris Borg. They also missed a glaring opportunity through Joel Grima with Qrendi going close on two occasions through Joe Mercieca and Michael Camilleri.

Referee: Paul Apap

Mdina K-Mgarr U 1-4

Mgarr United maintained the pressure on leaders Sirens whom they now trail by four points.

Mdina disappointed their followers especially during the first period. Mgarr dominated the first 45 minutes and in the fourth minute a through-pass by Neil Busuttil permitted Matthew Gauci to beat Sciberras with a low shot to put his team 1-0 ahead.

Mgarr continued to dictate the run of play with Mdina going close through Matthew Francalanza in the 19th minute.

At the other end Mgarr created goal scoring opportunities through Matthew Gauci and Daniel Schembri and on another occasion the post denied them off an attempt by Chris Abela.

Mgarr made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute as Chris Abela beat Sciberras from close-range and two minutes before the end of the first half they further increased their lead through Matthew Gauci.

After the interval Mdina improved their performance and they went close on various occasions. However in a counter-attack in the 75th minute Mgarr scored yet another goal, this time through Luke Muscat with Mdina reducing the arrears three minutes later through James Vella from the penalty spot.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Zejtun C.-Xghajra T 3-2

Zejtun gained their second win of the season after narrowly beating Xghajra Tornadoes in a very pleasant match.

Xghajra were the better team early on and took a deserved lead in the 15th minute with Jovil Abela providing the pass for Lizio Grech to hit home.

Zejtun went close through Brian Grech but in the 32nd minute Zejtun made it one-all as Gerada’s free-kick hit the post and in nipped Glen Lucas to beat Galea from close-range.

In the 44th minute Lucas was again close for the Corinthians but they had better luck in the 55th minute with Elton Caruana beating Galea from a well taken free-kick. Xghajra did their best to get back on level terms but in the 70th minute Zejtun made it 3-1 through Godwin Mifsud. In the 79th minute Daniel Axisa pulled a goal back for Xghajra but despite their late efforts, Zejtun managed to hold on to their slender lead.

Referee: Aaron Fenech

St Lucia- Kirkop 2-1

St Lucia managed to turn defeat into victory with Christian Curmi getting the decisive goals, one in each half.

Kirkop showed the better ideas during in the opening minutes with Aldo Azzopardi testing Brincat with a well taken free-kick whereas on another occasion Chris Farrugia hit just wide.

On 15 minutes William Debattista gave them the lead following a god move between Aldo Azzopardi and Charlo Debattista but the Saints were quick to react with Kirkop keeper Mizzi bringing off three fine saves before being beaten in the 39th minute by Christian Curmi for the Saints’ deserved equaliser.

Early on in the second half the Saints created goal scoring opportunities through Curmi and Catania but they had better luck in the 67th minute as Kirkop’s keeper Mizzi saved partially off Bonello’s low shot and the ball was picked up by Christian Curmi who scored the winning goal. At the other end Kirkop went close on several occasions but the Saints managed to hang on to their lead.

Referee: Thomas Debono

Top-scorers

Lawrence Vella (Gharghur F.C.) 6 goals

Clint Ellul (Fgura United) 4 goals

Tano Farrugia (Qrendi F.C.) 4 goals

Daniel Zammit (Zurrieq F.C.) 4 goals