Jesmond Zammit’s team Dingli Swallows were worthy winners against St.Andrews in a match they dominated during the second period with Chris Ciappara’s brace proving to be decisive.

After only three minutes the Saints had an Ian Borg corner-kick and Junior Sank’s header was well saved by Dingli goalkeeper Jeffrey Farrugia.

At the other end Dingli went close through Jeremy Agius and seven minutes later the post denied the Saints off a Junior Sank close-range effort.

In the 33rd minute Dingli responded through a Jeremy Agius personal effort and in the 43rd minute Jason Cachia managed to score but the goal was annulled due to an offside infringement.

Dingli were a superior team after the change of ends and they were twice close through Roderick Spiteri and Chris Ciappara.

The Saints were unlucky when Junior Sank hit the crossbar with a well-taken free-kick and Dingli did the same through Jeffrey Zammit.

The Swallows broke the deadlock in the 65th minute through Chris Ciappara and three minutes later Ciappara sealed Dingli’s merited win from a Zammit corner-kick.

Then they hit the post through a Sapiano free-kick and at the end of the match Saints’ midfield player Jonatan Briscoe White was sent off following an incident with the referee.

Referee: Glen Tonna

Zebbug R-Lija Ath. 2-2

Zebbug seemed heading towards their fifth consecutive defeat but they managed to salvage an important point through Mark Ciantar’s equaliser a minute from time.

The first half was a balanced affair and after 12 minutes an Errol Cachia pass was picked up by Neil Francalanza who lobbed over Bonnici to put his team 1-0 ahead.

Lija drew level through Anthony Gera in the 24th minute after the same player had missed a sitter minutes earlier with Zebbug coming back through a Gordon Mallia free-kick which just missed the target.

In the 36th minute Rangers’ midfielder Albert Ciantar was sent off when he was involved in an incident and a minute before the break Lija scored through Gera but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement.

Early on in the second period Zebbug went close through free-kicks by Gordon Mallia and Neil Francalanza but it was Lija who scored in the 87th minute as Antignolo’s free-kick was finished off by Anthony Gera.

A minute from time Mark Ciantar pounced on a mistake by the Lija goalkeeper to make it two-all.

Referee: Darren Calleja

Balzan Y-Mellieha 3-1

Balzan Youths have moved back in the promotion challenge after defeating Mellieha in a match dominated by the strong winds.

Although Mellieha remained in the runners-up position, they are now trailing leaders Dingli Swallows by four points.

Mellieha dictated the run of play throughout the first half and were unlucky to hit the post through Wayne Buttigieg early on but in a counter-attack on four minutes Antoine Sacco managed to find the back of the net with a low shot following a personal effort.

Mellieha were then denied by Bonello off a point blank effort by Borg St.John but they managed to equalise in the 21st minute as William Borg found Ibrahim Tarik with a square pass and the latter shot home from close-range.

Four minutes later a Borg St.John free-kick was headed on by Borg St.John and Bonello brought off an excellent save.

Mellieha went close on other occasions with Balzan creating danger in a counter-attack through Beppe Pace.

In the 50th minute Mellieha’s defender David Cauchi fouled Balzan’s striker Antoine Sacco with the referee awarding the Youths a penalty which was scored by Malcolm Tirchett.

Tirchett was again the protagonist five minutes later as he made it 3-1 as Mellieha came back through a Borg St.John dangerous effort.

Balzan were then twice denied by Vella off efforts by Antoine Sacco and Leonid McKay.

Referee: Anton Zammit

Gudja U-Gozo 0-1

Although the Gozitans failed to have any substitutes on the bench, they still managed to beat Gudja United as they have now opened up fresh hopes of possibly retaining their Second Division status.

The Gozitans gained the initiative throughout the first period and after three minutes the crossbar denied them a certain goal off an attempt by Antony Portelli.

Then Mark Muscat shot wide from a good position and on another occasion a shot by Errol Grima was well saved by Xerxen. Although the Gozitans continued to push forward they were rather confused in their conclusions at goal with Gudja creating a clear opportunity in the 30th minute though Elton Bugeja failed to conclude at goal when unmarked in the penalty area.

The Gozitans replied through Mario Cutajar whose dipper just missed the target and then a free-kick well taken by Matthew Portelli was saved by Xerxen.

In the 57th minute Xerxen denied the Gozitans off a shot by Anthony Portelli and in another counter-attack in the 67th minute Errol Grima’s close-range effort bounced off the crossbar.

The Gozitans managed to take the lead in the 79th minute as Mark Muscat took advantage of an indecision by the Gudja defenders and lobbed the ball over the Gudja keeper Xerxen.

Gudja’s reaction was completely ineffective.

Referee: Duncan Sultana

Yesterday’s results

Division II: Rabat 0, St Venera 0

Division III: Ta’ Xbiex 0, Zurrieq 0