Mdina K-Zejtun C 2-4

Zejtun Corinthians played the better football throughout the ninety minutes as they obtained a deserved win over Mdina Knights.

The first period proved to be a balanced affair with Zejtun missing two easy opportunities through Godwin Mifsud. Mdina broke the deadlock on 11 minutes as Neville Pullicino headed in from a Clint Caruana corner-kick but on 25 minutes Godwin Mifsud managed to equalise for the Corinthians.

Zejtun now started to play the better football with Dino Falzon giving them a deserved lead in the 37th minute as he finished off a good move by Mario Farrugia. Zejtun made it 3-1 in the 43rd minute through Brian Grech. On 68 minutes Mdina’s keeper Cortis turned the ball onto the crossbar off a shot by Jean Paul Abela but a minute later substitute Ayrton Buhagiar pounced on a mistake by Zejtun’s central defender Elton Caruana to score for the Knights. Zejtun were again unlucky to hit the post through Mario Farrugia in the 85th minute but two minutes later Zejtun sealed the issue through Dino Falzon who finished off a good move by Abela.

Referee:- Gordon Barbara.

Gzira Utd-Ta’ Xbiex 2-3

Ta’ Xbiex played their best match of the season as they came out worthy winners in their derby match against Gzira United.

Ta’ Xbiex gained their first points this season. They had a good first-half and shared the exchanges with Gzira United. Gzira took the lead on 18 minutes through a long-range shot by Nico Corito which surprised Ta’ Xbiex keeper Ivan Mula. Gzira then wasted an easy opportunity through Kevin Agius.

And then the same player had a goal disallowed for an offside infringement. Ta’ Xbiex were then denied by Spagnol off a shot by Simon Cauchi but the same player obtained a deserved equaliser in the 40th minute.

Two minutes before the break Ta’ Xbiex forged ahead through a penalty given for a foul on Simon Azzopardi and converted by Liam Vidal and on 58 minutes it was again Vidal who increased Ta’ Xbiex’s lead to 3-1 as he scored the best goal of the match.

Claude Grech pulled a goal back for Gzira on 67 minutes but they suffered a severe blow when they lost Keith Bonello in the 76th minute as he was sent off for passing remarks to the referee.

Six minutes into injury-time Ta’ Xbiex striker Kevin Pace received a second yellow card and was given marching orders.

Referee:-Chris Francalanza

Qrendi-Sirens 1-2

Patrick Zammit’s team Sirens scored the goals that mattered through Vince Saliba and Adrian Galea during the first-half and then they managed to control Qrendi’s reaction to come out worthy winners in a direct promotion clash.

Sirens have now regained the leadership. Sirens had a good start and after wasting an easy opportunity early on through Kristian Galea, they managed to break the deadlock as Vince Saliba’s corner-kick deceived Qrendi’s keeper Camilleri. Sirens increased their lead in the 35th minute through Adrian Galea’s superb free-kick but six minutes later Qrendi were back in the match as Antoine Galea finished off a solo run to beat Schembri with a low shot.

Qrendi were expected to continue with their reaction during the second-half but they were completely controlled by Sirens’s defensive barrier well led by Kristian Galea. Sirens went close through Patrick Barbara and at the other end Qrendi hit the woodwork through Kurt Grima from a corner-kick.

Three minutes into injury-time Qrendi’s midfield player Michael Camilleri was sent off for an ugly foul on a Sirens player.

Referee:- Duncan Sultana

Mgarr Utd-Zurrieq 0-0

Zurrieq had to settle for just one point in a match which they dictated for long stretches with the Mgarr custodian Simon Gauci bringing off various difficult saves during the first period.

Zurrieq were undoubtedly the better team throughout the first-half and in the opening minutes two attempts by Matthew Genuis were saved by the Mgarr goalkeeper Simon Gauci. Zurrieq pressed forward with Gauci bringing off three fine saves to deny Robert Bajada and Matthew Genuis on two occasions.

In a counter-attack Mgarr were denied by Azzopardi following a Chris Abela personal; effort. Early on in the second-half Joe Lia hit just wide in a Zurrieq attack and later on Robert Bajada hit wide when all alone in front of goal.

Mgarr had a Luke Muscat shot which was saved by Azzopardi and on another occasion Alan Chetcuti’s angled shot went inches wide of the far post. Zurrieq’s reply produced a Michael Abdilla cross-shot which Gauci saved with difficulty but three minutes into injury-time Mgarr could have obtained the three points as David Muscat’s point blank shot was parried by Azzopardi.

Referee:- Sammy Attard