St.Andrews-Melita 3-0
St.Andrews, under their new coach Billy Mock (ex-Zebbug Rangers), obtained their second win of the season after beating neighbours Melita by a handsome margin.
The Saints went close early on through Kevin Camilleri and at the other end Melita created dangerous goal scoring opportunities through Julian Galea and Michael Martin.
The Amateurs were very unlucky in the 24th minute with Steve Bonnici hitting the crossbar.
In the 34th minute the Melita custodian Sapiano saved partially a low shot by Ian Borg but substitute John Zammit was on hand to hit home from close-range.
Three minutes into the second-half the Saints were unlucky with Junior Sank’s header hitting the crossbar.
However they managed to score a second goal with an Ian Borg free-kick being headed in by John Zammit. Six minutes later in a swift counter-attack St. Andrews sealed their deserved win with another goal scored by Brian Chetcuti following a personal effort.
Referee: Duncan Sultana
St Venera L-B’ Bugia SP 0-1
This was a very balanced match decided by a late goal.
St Venera went close early on through Dylan Mercieca and Luke Stivala but gradually B’Bugia gained the initiative.
In the 22nd minute the Lightnings’ keeper Rapinett saved off an attempt by Jason Cassar and on another occasion Cassar was unlucky as his shot was deflected by a St Venera defender.
The Saints responded through a Mark Grech header which just missed the target and early in the second half the same player was denied through a fine save by Fardell.
On 55 minutes Lightnings’ keeper Rapinett brought off a fine save off a Barbara free-kick but in the 85th minute B’Bugia won another free-kick which was again taken by Barbara and Aldrin Muscat was on hand to beat the St Venera keeper from close-range.
Referee: Sammy Attard
Rabat-Lija Ath. 2-3
This was an exciting match with Rabat ending with nine players after having Dylan Falzon and Alan Zahra sent off by referee Tonna.
The first period proved to be an exciting affair with the Ajax taking a deserved lead in the 16th minute as Adam Smeir’s free-kick surprised Vella. Three minutes later Lija gained a penalty when Gera was fouled by Dylan Falzon, a decision which was contested by Rabat. Anthony Gera’s shot from the spot was saved partially by Azzopardi but from the rebound Gera made it 1-1.
In the 23rd minute an excellent move between Muscat and Bezzina led to Rabat’s second goal scored by Kayne Said.
In the 33rd minute Lija once again drew level through Anthony Gera from the penalty spot given for a handling infringement by Alan Zahra – Rabat’s defender Dylan Falzon was sent off amid the protests of the Rabat players since he was not the player to have committed the handling.
Lija managed to score the all important goal through Beppe Antignolo in the 78th minute. In the 89th minute Alan Zahra was sent off following a second caution.
Referee: Glen Tonna
Mellieha-Zebbug 3-0
Mellieha’s striker Wayne Borg St John was the protagonist in his team’s sixth win of the season as he scored two second half goals in a difficult match against Zebbug Rangers. Mellieha are now sole leaders.
The first period belonged to Zebbug Rangers who attacked for long stretches.
They went close through Josef Felice, Gordon Mallia and Errol Cachia with Mellieha constrained in defending their goal.
Four minutes before the interval Zebbug created their best opportunity as Mark Ciantar’s strong volley was excellently saved by Vella.
Two minutes into the second period Zebbug were very unlucky as they hit the post through George Saliba, the latter again going close on another occasion as his shot was saved by Vella.
On the hour Mellieha broke the deadlock with the Zebbug keeper losing the ball from a Borg St John corner-kick and Hubert Vella found no difficulty in putting his team 1-0 ahead.
Zebbug failed to react with Mellieha managing to seal their important win through two goals scored by Wayne Borg St.John in the 67th and 82nd minute for an emphatic 3-0 scoreline.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit