St Andrews vs Gudja 1-0

St Andrews’ recovery continued as they gained their fourth win of the season with Gudja having two players sent off during the second period. After only five minutes the Saints could have taken the lead but Adrian Galea’s shot was deflected to a corner-kick.

At the other end Gudja protested for a penalty with the Saints responding through two dangerous shots by Brian Chetcuti which just missed the target.

Then John Zammit hit just wide from a good position but the same player put the Saints ahead in the 31st minute.Gudja dictated the run of play through the second-half but they were reduced to ten players in the 58th minute as Mark Spacey was shown the red card for passing unwarranted comments.

Gudja were denied by the crossbar in the 66th minute off an Elton Bugeja shot and four minutes later a free-kick well taken by Mark Galea was saved by Tabone.

The Saints replied through an effort by Kevin Camilleri which was saved by Xerxen and also went close through Adrian Galea whose shot scraped the crossbar.

In injury-time Gudja’s midfield player Clayton Micallef was also sent off for retaliation.

Referee: Juergen Spiteri

Lija vs Melita 3-2

Melita suffered their fourth consecutive defeat as they were beaten this time by Lija Athletic.

The Amateurs are now in deep relegation trouble with Lija gaining new hopes in their efforts of regaining 1st Division foorball next season.

Lija gained the initiative early on and they broke the deadlock on ten minutes through Brian Deguara. They could have increased their lead eight minutes later but the post denied Daniel Cremona with the same player going close again in the 27th minute as his point-blank shot was parried by Sapiano.

At the other end Melita were twice stopped by Luke Bonnici off dangerous attempts by Julian Galea and Matthew Borg I but they managed to equalise in the 37th minute through Matthew Borg I who beat Bonnici with a long-range shot. Lija came out strongly for the second period but they went behind on the hour through an own-goal by Daniel Scerri.

Lija’s reaction produced efforts by Gera and Barry with the Amateurs being denied by Bonnici on two occasions off attempts by Michael Martin and Julian Galea. In the 86th minute Lija drew level through Glen Barry and in the 90th minute substitute Alan Ellul gave the Athletic an important 3-2 win.

Referee: Sammy Attard

B’Bugia SP vs Balzan 0-2

Charles Borg Sant’s team Balzan Youths gained a difficult win in a match which B’Bugia dictated for long stretches.

Balzan have strongly enhanced their promotion prospects. Balzan had a good start as they went close early on through David Mamo. B’Bugia were denied by Bonello from a Clive Formosa close-range shot.

Balzan replied in the 23rd minute as Tirchett’s square pass was picked by Antoine Sacco whose effort scraped the crossbar.

On the half-hour Balzan went again close through Alistair Camilleri whose shot was saved by Fardell and three minutes later B’Bugia won a free-kick which was taken by John Paul Barbara with Bonello saving with difficulty.

In the 49th minute Noel Tabone missed an easy opportunity for B’Bugia and they paid heavily for this mistake as Balzan took the lead in the 64th minute with David Mamo crossing from the right flank for Alistair Camilleri to head home from close-range.

B’Bugia pressed forward but it was Balzan who created the better opportunities through Tirchett and Mizzi and they assured themselves of the three points through Antoine Sacco’s goal in the 90th minute.

Referee: Ian Miller

St Venera vs Dingli 0-5

Dingli Swallows gained their sixth win of the season after easily beating St Venera Lightnings with Chris Ciappara getting a hat-trick.

After just three minutes Glen Micallef was very close for St.Venera from a well-taken free-kick which was well saved by Jeffrey Farrugia.

Then the Lightnings wasted an easy opportunity through Mark Muscat but it was Dingli who broke the deadlock in the 5th minute through Chris Ciappara.

Dingli maintained the upper hand in the midfield sector and went close through Jeremy Agius, Etienne Farrugia and Chris Ciappara. They also wasted an easy chance through Jeremy Agius who blasted the ball high over the bar when all alone infront of goal.

At the other end St.Venera missed an opportunity through Clayton Garzia.

Seven minutes after the restart Chris Ciappara made it 2-0 for Dingli. In the 74th minute Dingli won a free-kick which was taken by Jeffrey Zammit and Jason Cachia headed in for the Swallows’ third goal.

In the 86th minute Chris Ciappara notched his hat-trick and a minute into injury-time substitute Roderick Farrugia finished off a good move by Ciappara to make it a 5-0 final scoreline.

Referee: Paul Apap