Dingli S. vs Rabat A. 1-1

This derby match ended in a fair one-all result with Dingli Swallows remaining comfortable Second Division leaders. A sizeable crowd watched this keen match with Dingli ending the game with ten players as their schemer Jeffrey Zammit was sent off two minutes from time.

After only five minutes Dingli were close through Jeffrey Zammit with Rabat responding through a Chris Schembri free-kick which just missed the target. On 18 minutes Rabat took the lead with Jonathan Bezzina crossing from the left flank and Kayne Said heading in past Farrugia. In the 29th minute Rabat again went close with Joe Caruana hitting just wide and later on a Jonathan Bezzina crosshot was well saved by Farrugia. Just before the break Rabat created other goal scoring opportunities through Chris Schembri and Jonathan Bezzina. During the second-half Dingli did much of the attacking but they were only dangerous from dead ball situations.

In the 58th minute Dingli were denied by Azzopardi off a Jeffrey Zammit free-kick and they once again tested the Rabat custodian in the 65th minute through Victor Fiteni. At the other end Rabat had a Keith Micallef effort which was well saved by Farrugia but in the 76th minute Dingli managed to equalise as another corner taken by Jeffrey Zammit was headed in by Jason Cachia. In the final minutes Rabat were again denied by Farrugia off a close-range attempt by Kayne Said and in the 88th minute Dingli were reduced to ten players as Jeffrey Zammit was booked for a second time and was sent off.

Referee:Paul Caruana.

St.Venera L. vs Lija A. 1-0

A second-half goal scored by Mark Muscat was enough for St.Venera Lightnings to gain an important and deserved win against Lija Athletic. The Lightnings have now moved away from the relegation zone.

After ten minutes St.Venera’s keeper Rapinett brought off a fine save to stop a shot by John Cauchi and in the 23rd minute Anthony Gera headed just wide from a Clive Lanzon corner-kick. On the half-hour St.Venera protested for a penalty when Giles Lanzon fouled St.Venera’s talented striker Dylan Mercieca with Lija responding in the 40th minute as Gera’s shot was partially saved by Rapinett and from the rebound Daniel Cremona’s shot was blocked by Yau Mun Law on the goal line. The Lightnings gained the initiative after the break and early on a Dylan Mercieca free-kick was saved by Bonnici.

St.Venera managed to clinch the winning goal in the 68th minute as Glen Micallef’s corner-kick was headed in by Mark Muscat.

Lija went close through Glen Barry and then a Giles Lanzon free-kick went inches wide of the far post. In injury-time Lija produced their final opportunity as Justin Felice’s shot was deflected to a corner-kick.

Referee:Ian Miller.

Balzan Y. vs Melita 1-2

This match had a dramatic finish with Balzan equalising in the 90th minute through Chris Azzopardi but in added time a mistake by Balzan keeper Brian Bonello led to Mark Hyzler’s winning goal for the Amateurs. Melita attacked for long stretches during the first period and they managed to score after a few seconds but Matthew Borg I handled the ball and the goal was annulled.

The Amateurs were again dangerous through attempts by Julian Galea, Gregory Degabriele and Mark Hyzler and in the 27th minute a Matthew Borg I free-kick was excellently saved by Brian Bonello. Then Matthew Borg I again found the net with a close-range shot but the goal was again disallowed, this time for an offside position. Just before the break Matthew Borg I had another opportunity as his strong shot just missed the target.

Two minutes into the second-half Balzan were denied by Zahra off a David Agius free-kick. At the other end Bonello denied Mark Hyzler with an excellent save but the Amateurs forged ahead in the 67th minute with Hyzler crossing for Julian Galea to beat Bonello from close-range.

Balzan replied through Antoine Sacco and Malcolm Tirchett whose shots were well saved by Zahra.

In the 90th minute they managed to draw level through Chris Azzopardi who beat Zahra with a shot from almost mid pitch. The match seemed heading towards a one-all draw but in added time Melita gained a free-kick which was taken by Matthew Borg I with the Balzan custodian Bonello dropping the ball and Mark Hyzler shot in from close-range for the winning goal.

Referee:Trustan Farrugia Cann.

B’Bugia vs Gudja U. 2-0

B’Bugia St Peter’s notched their sixth win of the season as they have now joined St.Venera Lightnings and Melita on 21 points in a mid table position.

After just three minutes B’Bugia gained a free-kick which was taken by Leslie Burke with the ball flashing past the far post. They broke broke the deadlock on 23 minutes through an opportunistic Aldrin Muscat goal. Gudja failed to put in a decent reaction and it was B’Bugia who were close through Noel Tabone and Jason Cassar.

In the 71st minute Gudja were unlucky as Chris Grech’s shot was turned onto the upright by B’Bugia’s defender Leslie Burke with the Saints assuring themselves of the three points through a James Galea strike in the 76th minute.

Despite Gudja’s late rally B’Bugia managed to hold on to their lead. This defeat means that Gudja United are now in a precarious relegation position.

Referee:Esther Farrugia.

* * *

P W D L F A GD Pts

Dingli S. 16 10 5 1 31 8 23 35

Rabat A. 16 8 5 3 27 18 9 29

Mellieha 16 8 4 4 23 17 6 28

Lija Ath. 16 7 5 4 23 16 7 26

Balzan Y. 16 7 3 6 27 19 8 24

Melita 16 6 3 7 22 19 3 21

B’Buga SP 16 6 3 7 19 19 0 21

St Venera L. 16 6 3 7 19 23 -4 21

Zebbug R. 15 4 6 5 14 19 -5 18

Gudja U. 16 4 3 9 13 28 -15 15

St Andrew’s 16 4 2 10 10 23 -13 14

Gozo FC 15 2 4 9 11 30 -19 10