This was a deserved win for Gudja who played one of their best matches this season as the Amateurs continue to disappoint their followers, even though they once again had to play without some of their regular players.

Melita opened the score on 22 minutes through Matthew Borg I following a good move between Hyzler and Micallef.

A minute later Gudja drew level through a penalty scored by Jesmond Micallef, a penalty given for a foul on Chris Grech. Gudja even took a deserved lead in the 32nd minute as Elton Bugeja’s through-pass was taken up by Carlos Scicluna who beat Sapiano with a low shot.

Eight minutes into the second period Melita lost central defender Chris Mifsud Bonnici when he was sent off for a professional foul on Louis Falzon and things became worse in the 56th minute when they suffered a third goal scored by Chris Grech, undoubtedly the best player on the field of play.

Melita pulled back a goal in the 73rd minute through Matthew Borg I but Gudja restored their two-goal lead in the 75th minute through a penalty given for a foul by Jacques Scerri on Chris Grech and converted by Carlos Scicluna.

Melita’s defender Scerri was shown the red card for a professional foul. Late in the match Matthew Borg I was again close for the Amateurs.

Referee: Joe Attard

B’Buga SP-St Andrew’s 1-2

St Andrew’s turned defeat into victory with two goals scored by Kevin Camilleri and Junior Sank in the final eight minutes.

St Andrew’s dictated the run of play throughout the first period as they created the better goal scoring opportunities through Patrick Briscoe White, Jonathan Briscoe White and Ian Borg.

At the other end B’Bugia were denied by Tabone off a John Paul Barbara free-kick. B’Bugia were unlucky to lose their goalkeeper Ludvic Fardell who was injured following a clash with a Saints’player with St Andrew’s being very close to taking the lead in the 44th minute through Junior Sank whose header hit the woodwork.

B’Bugia broke the deadlock on 51 minutes through Aldrin Muscat with the Saints’ reaction producing two dangerous attempts bny John Zammit and Junior Sank.

On another occasion a shot by Brian Chetcuti was cleared off the line by Jason Cassar but they were back on level terms through an opportunistic goal scored by substitute Kevin Camilleri. In injury-time Junior Sank scored the winning goal for the Saints with a close-range low shot.

Referee: Darren Calleja

Balzan-St.Venera 3-0

Two goals by Antoine Sacco and another goal scored by Alistair Camilleri earned Balzan Youths their fifth win of the season as they now occupy the third position in the league table, three points behind Mellieha.

Balzan Youths were the better team early on as they went close through Malcolm Tirchett and Matthew Sciortino. St Venera replied through an attempt by Andrew Hili which was saved by Brian Bonello with Balzan missing the target on two occasions through Beppe Pace and Malcolm Tirchett.

In the 42nd minute St Venera’s striker Mark Grech shot at goal from close range with Beppe Pace deflecting to a corner-kick and seconds before the break a low shot by Stephen Said was saved by Bonello.

After just three minutes into the second half a perfect through pass by Alistair Camilleri was picked up by Antoine Sacco whose low shot finished at the back of the net for Balzan’s lead.

St.Venera tried to get back into the match but it was Balzan who increased their lead in the 70th minute through Alistair Camilleri with Antoine Sacco making it 3-0 three minutes later.

In the 88th minute St Venera were denied a consolation goal by Balzan’s keeper Bonello who saved Clayton Garzia’s penalty-kick.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann

Zebbug-Rabat 1-3

Rabat Ajax obtained their fifth win of the season after beating Zebbug Rangers through goals scored by Kayne Said and Adam Smeir in injury-time.

Rabat are now just two points behind leaders Mellieha. Zebbug took only seven minutes to break the deadlock as a Keith Farrugia corner-kick was headed in by Josef Felice.

The Rangers continued to maintain the initiative and were again close to adding their lead through attempts by Eric Sciberras and Aaron Buhagiar. Rabat failed to make a reaction although on 42 minutes they were denied by Philip Attard off a direct free-kick well taken by Christian Muscat.

The second half was dominated by Rabat who wasted an easy opportunity early on through Adam Smeir but they got back on level terms in the 73rd minute with Smeir laying on a square pass for Kayne Said to beat Attard from close range.

Rabat pressed forward and they managed to win the game in injury-time through goals scored by Kayne Said and Adam Smeir for a 3-1 final scoreline.

Referee: Esther Farrugia