Melita-Rabat Ajax 3-1

Rabat Ajax suffered their second consecutive defeat when they were this time beaten by a superior Melita who dictated the match throughout the ninety minutes. Rabat are now practically out of the promotion race.

Melita had a good first-half with Matthew Borg I going close after three minutes. Six minutes later the Rabat keeper brought off a fine save to deny Mark Hyzler and in the 11th minute Azzopardi once again came to Rabat’s rescue as he stopped a shot by Mark Stivala.

Melita were again close through Michael Martin with Rabat’s reply producing a Jonathan Bezzina free-kick was well saved by Sapiano. On 38 minutes Melita gained a free-kick which was taken by Matthew Borg II and Kane Micallef’s header was saved by Azzopardi.

Just before the end of the first half a Julian Galea free-kick went inches wide of the far post.

Melita took the lead on 56 minutes with Matthew Borg I providing a square pass for Mark Hyzler to beat Azzopardi with a low shot. Rabat wasted a clear opportunity through Keith Micallef and it was again Melita who managed to score on the hour through a Matthew Borg I penalty, given after the same player was floored by Chris Schembri in the penalty area.

Rabat were now completely demoralised and it was no surprise that the Amateurs added a further goal in the 66th minute with Julian Galea finding Matthew Borg I who dribbled his way past Azzopardi before shooting in from close-range.

Rabat responded through a Bezzina shot which was saved by Sapiano but they managed to pull a goal back in the 82nd minute through substitute Gwyn Vassallo. In the closing stages Rabat protested for a penalty.

Referee: Glen Tonna

St.Andrews-St Venera 2-1

The Saints enhanced their chances of maintaining their status after beating the Lightnings in a match influenced in the 23rd minute when the St.Venera keeper was sent off in a penalty incident.

St. Andrews dictated the run of play throughout the first period with Michael Calleja hitting just wide after five minutes.

St.Venera created a good opportunity three minutes later through Mark Grech but in the 23rd minute the Saints opened the score through a penalty as Michael Calleja was fouled by St. Venera’s custodian Duane Carabott who was shown the red card.

Saints’ keeper Frederick Tabone converted from the spot as he beat substitute goalkeeper Sandro Rapinett.

St. Venera failed to make a reaction as the Saints had a Junior Sank free-kick which just missed the target.

St. Venera came out strongly for the second half but they suffered a second goal in the 67th minute scored by Jonathan Briscoe White.

Three minute later a shot by Patrick Briscoe White was saved by Rapinett with St. Venera going close through Dylan Mercieca and Stephen Said.

Eight minutes from time the Saints pulled a goal back through Glen Micallef but the Saints managed to hold on to their slender lead despite St. Venera’s late rally.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann

Zebbug-Balzan Y 0-0

Balzan Youths dictated this match for long stretches but they wasted various goal scoring opportunities.

Zebbug Rangers obtained an important point but they remained in the relegation zone.

In the opening minutes of the match Zebbug were twice close to opening the score through Mark Ciantar and Gordon Mallia.

In the 30th minute Balzan won a free-kick which was taken by Leonid McKay and Sergio Cappitta headed just wide and then attempts by Jerryton Agius and Aaron Agius just missed the target.

In the closing stages of the first period Josef Felice and Rodney Bugeja were close for Zebbug and at the other end Balzan were denied by Galea off an Aaron Agius grounder.

Balzan dictated the run of play throughout the second half with Tirchett losing an easy opportunity after eight minutes. Then Tirchett was on target but his shot was saved by Galea and on another occasion Galea again came to his team’s rescue with a fine save to deny David Agius.

Four minutes from time Balzan missed an incredible opportunity through Chris Azzopardi following a good move by Tirchett.

In added time Balzan scored through Matthew Sciortino who was however in an offside position and the goal was annulled with Zebbug going very close as an effort by Mark Ciantar was well saved by Bonello.

Referee: Paul Apap

B’Bugia SP-Gozo 4-3

B’Bugia seemed cruising towards a comfortable 4-1 win but the Gozitans came back strongly to reduce the arrears on two occasions and B’Bugia had to fight hard to maintain their slender lead.

B’Bugia dominated the first-half and after going close through Aldrin Muscat, they broke the deadlock with Vince Camilleri taken a corner-kick and Noel Tabone headed in past Donald Gauci.

The Gozitans equalised in the 12th minute with Mark Camilleri crossing from the left flank for Joe Portelli to shoot in past Fardell but B’Bugia were back in the lead in the 28th minute through Aldrin Muscat.

B’Bugia continued to press forward and three minutes before the end of the first period Stephen Borg increased their lead with an angled shot.

On the stroke of half time the post denied B’Bugia another goal off an effort by Michael Ciappara.

The match seemed to be won for B’ Bugia in the 53rd minute when Michael Ciappara headed in a cross by Ryan Farrugia to make it 4-1 but the Saints’ overconfidence let in the Gozitans who pulled back two goals through Mark Camilleri (61st minute) and James Buttigieg (79th minute).

The final minutes were quite tense as the Gozitans pushed for the equaliser but the Saints managed to hold on to their slender lead.

Referee: Darren Calleja