Lija-Dingli S 1-0
A goal scored by Glen Barry four minutes from time earned Lija an unexpected win against leaders Dingli Swallows who on their part failed to assure themselves of promotion to the First Division.
To make matters worse for the Swallows, two players, Roderick Spiteri and Etienne Farrugia, were shown the red card during the second half.
Dingli dictated the run of play throughout the first-half and after only three minutes Roderick Farrugia headed at goal but the Lija custodian Bonnici brought off a difficult save.
Then an attempt by Jason Cachia was deflected to a corner-kick and on another occasion Dingli squandered an easy goal scoring opportunity through Jonathan Sapiano.
On the half hour Dingli wasted another opportunity through Chris Ciappara who hit wide in front of goal and two minutes later the Lija crossbar stopped a strong shot by Roderick Farrugia.
Then Farrugia hit just wide from the edge of the penalty-area and three minutes before the break a Chris Ciappara header just missed the far post. Early on in the second half Dingli went close through Jonathan Sapiano and on the hour the Swallows’ striker Chris Ciappara was alone in front of Bonnici but the latter managed to save and avoid what looked like a certain goal.
Dingli were again close through Roderick Farrugia but it was Lija who managed to score the all-important goal in the 86th minute through Glen Barry following a good move by Daniel Cremona. Seconds later Dingli’s defender Etienne Farrugia was shown a second yellow card and was sent off with Lija creating a clear opportunity in added time as Beppe Antignolo’s shot was well saved by Farrugia.
Referee: Fyodor Zammit
Melita-St.Andrews 1-1
Melita’s striker Matthew Borg I was the protagonist in this derby as he managed to score the equalising goal but was then sent off late in the match.
The Saints played another good match and deserved the point they obtained. The Amateurs dictated the run of play throughout the first half but they were a goal behind in the 7th minute as the Saints scored through a close-range shot by Jonathan Briscoe White.
Melita’s reaction produced two dangerous efforts by Michael Martin and Matthew Borg II. They could have equalised in the 22nd minute as Matthew Borg I was put clear by Kane Micallef but the Amateurs’ striker completely missed the target as he shot out when in front of Tabone.
Melita continued to push forward and they created two further opportunities through Jonathan Mifsud and Matthew Borg II.
Two minutes after the restart Melita won a free-kick which was taken by Julian Galea and Tabone saved with difficulty.
The Saints were close through Ian Borg and in the 55th minute Melita replied through Julian Galea whose shot went inches wide of the near post. Two minutes later the Saints’ keeper denied Melita off a shot by Matthew Borg I but the same player managed to bring back his team on level terms in the 63rd minute following a good move by Michael Martin.
Both teams continued to create goal scoring opportunities with the Amateurs’ striker Matthew Borg I being sent off in the 83rd minute as the referee noted a gesture made by the Melita player towards the opposing supporters.
Referee: Juergen Spiteri
B’ Bugia SP- St Venera L 3-0
B’Bugia striker Aldrin Muscat made all the difference in this match as his deadly finishing floored the Lightnings who suffered their second consecutive defeat to stay in the relegation zone.
B’Bugia had a good first half and after seven minutes they broke the deadlock when Clint Abela fouled James Galea with the referee pointing to the penalty spot and Aldrin Muscat converted to put his team in front.
At the other end St Venera were close through Andrew Hili but it was B’Bugia who managed to score a second goal in the 18th minute through Aldrin Muscat.
At the other end St Venera were denied by Fardell off an Andrew Hili crosshot with B’Bugia going close through Noel Tabone in the 27th minute.
In the closing stages of the first half St Venera were twice denied by Fardell off attempts by Glen Micallef and Anthony Lagana.
Early on in the second half the B’Bugia keeper Fardell brought off a difficult save to deny Andrew Hili and then Anthony Lagana wasted an easy opportunity.
In the 65th minute Lagana was again close for the Lightnings and at the other end B’Bugia could have increased their lead with Aldrin Muscat hitting just wide following a good move by James Galea.
In the 88th minute B’Bugia were 3-0 in front with Noel Tabone’s through-pass finding Aldrin Muscat who dribbled his way past three St Venera defenders before shooting in past Rapinett.
In added time St.Venera went close through Ian Falzon.
Referee: Paul Apap
Rabat-Gudja 4-1
Rabat Ajax returned to winning form after beating Gudja United through goals scored by Kayne Said and Keith Micallef.
This result means that Gudja have now been relegated to the Third Division.
After ten minutes Rabat gained a free-kick which was taken by Keith Micallef and Kayne Said headed just wide.
Rabat were again close on 27 minutes through Gwyn Vassallo while Gudja replied through Jesmond Micallef whose attempt was well saved by Matthew Xerxen.
In the 45th minute Rabat opened the score as Alan Zahra’s corner-kick was finished off by Kayne Said.
A minute after the restart the Gudja goalkeeper parried off a shot by Kayne Said with Keith Micallef picking up the loose ball as he shot in from close range to make it 2-0.
Xerxen then bought off a difficult save to stop a shot by Alan Zahra with Rabat missing a sitter through Adam Smeir in the 64th minute.
Keith Micallef scored a third goal for Rabat in the 75th minute and shortly afterwards they were first unlucky as the crossbar stopped a shot by Smeir. However Rabat managed to seal the issue in the 88th minute through Kayne Said but just before the final whistle Gudja obtained a consolation goal through Chris Grech.
Referee: Sammy Attard