Dingli Swallows obtained a double over Balzan Youths, a match practically decided during the first half when they were already leading by a two-goal margin.

Dingli are once again sole leaders. They were the better team during the first period and they broke the deadlock through a beauty of a shot by Jason Cachia after only two minutes.

They were then denied by Bonello off a Zammit free-kick with Balzan coming back through dangerous attempts by Jerryton Agius and Alistair Camilleri and in the 32nd minute Leonid McKay all alone saw his shot being blocked by Farrugia.

In the 36th minute Dingli increased their lead through Jeremy Agius and seconds later Chris Ciappara made it 3-0 following a personal effort.

At the other end Balzan went close through a Tirchett free-kick which was saved by Farrugia but in the 44th minute Malcolm Tirchett was fouled by a Dingli defender and the referee gave them a penalty which was duly converted by the same player. Just before the interval George Saliba went close for the Swallows.

Balzan attacked for long stretches during the second period and they were close on various occasions including an easy opportunity which was squandered by Malcolm Tirchett who shot high over the bar infront of an open goal. At the other end Dingli also wasted a clear goal scoring opportunity through Jonathan Sapiano.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

St Andrews-Lija 0-2

Lija Athletic obtained a difficult win to remain in touch with the teams challenging for promotion honours with the Saints having a Jonathan Briscoe White penalty being saved by Bonnici.

St. Andrews dictated the run of play for long stretches and they went close on two occasions through Junior Sank and Adrian Galea.

Lija were twice denied by Saints keeper Frederick Tabone off efforts by Michael Mangion and Elton Azzopardi but the Saints created the best opportunity through Junior Sank whose direct free-kick bounced off the upright.

Early on in the second period an indecision by the Saints’ defence led to Lija’s lead scored by Anthony Gera. On 53 minutes Lija could have increased their lead but Glen Barry shot just wide when all alone infront of goal and five minutes later the Lija custodian Luke Bonnici saved a penalty taken by Jonathan Briscoe White.

At the other end Anthony Gera was close for Lija with the Saints replying through Steve Falzon whose shot was saved by Bonnici.

In the closing stages the Lija striker Gera was fouled by Saints’ keeper Frederick Tabone and was sent off and in injury-time Lija substitute Giles Lanzon scored a second goal from a well-taken free-kick.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Gudja-Zebbug 1-0

Zebbug Rangers are now in deep relegation trouble as they suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in a balanced match decided by a second-half goal scored by Terence Vella.

After 12 minutes Rangers’ striker Errol Cachia hit just wide from a good position with Gudja responding seven minutes later as an effort by Elvin Gauci was saved with difficulty by Philip Attard.

Then Jesmond Micallef went twice close for Gudja United with the Rangers creating a good opportunity as Cachia’s cross was headed just wide by Neil Francalanza.

In the 54th minute Gudja’s keeper Xerxen brought off a difficult save to stop a strong shot by Gordon Mallia. Gudja created two dangerous attempts by Terence Vella but the same player had better luck in the 75th minute as his shot beat Rangers’ keeper Philip Attard who was at fault.

Nine minutes from time Zebbug won a free-kick which was taken by Cachia and Gordon Mallia’s header was saved by Xerxen.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Mellieha-B’Bugia SP 1-1

Mellieha had to settle for a point against B’Bugia St.Peter’s in a balanced match which could have gone either way. This result allows Dingli to retain the leadership position.

The first period proved to be a balanced affair with Mellieha being denied by Fardell off efforts by Rueben Vella and Ibrahim Tarik.

B’Bugia went close through a Leslie Burke free-kick which was saved by Vella and on 26 minutes William Borg hit just wide in a Mellieha counter-attack.

Nine minutes before the interval Gudja broke the deadlock as Aldrin Muscat finished off a good move by James Galea. Mellieha pushed forward during the second-half with B’Bugia’s custodian Fardell having to bring off two difficult saves off Borg St.John, Hubert Vella and Ibrahim Tarik.

B’Bugia hit the crossbar through Aldrin Muscat as Mellieha made it one-all in the 70th minute through David Fenech following a pass by Tarik.

At the other end Vella brought off a difficult save to save off a John Paul Barbara volley and six minutes from time Mellieha tested Fardell off a point blank shot by Borg St.John.

Referee: Glen Tonna.