Despite playing with 10 men for 48 minutes, Hamrun managed to earn a point with a gallant defensive display which kept the City forwards at bay. The Citizens had their good moments and created scoring chances.

The first two occasions were created by Valletta. Bydasser Sammut crossed from the left to Karl Azzopardi who back-passed the ball to Neil Chircop but his shot missed the bar by inches.

Sammut served Matthew Caruana with a through ball but he was foiled by a timely tackle by Brady Parnis.

At the other end, Ryan Cardona served Craig Debattista from a freekick and City keeper Dunstan Zarb saved his shot.

Yuran Camilleri served Stefan Vella with a through ball in the area but Valletta defender Yessous Camilleri cleared his shot to a corner.

Kyle Civelli served Wayne Vella on the right flank from a freekick and from the latter’s cross Glenn Frendo headed just out.

Eight minutes before half time Hamrun were reduced to 10 men as Craig Debattista was shown the red card for striking Karl Azzopardi in an off-the-ball incident.

A minute before half time Valletta went very close to open the score as Azzopardi served Tonio Mackay with a back pass who in turn served Sammut with a through ball in the area but his shot just missed the post.

Valletta had the lion’s share of exchanges in the second period with Hamrun creating only two occasions.

The first action came from Hamrun as Brady Parnis served Wayne Vella on the right flank. The latter served Ryan Cardona in the area but Zarb foiled him from concluding with a timely sortie.

A freekick shot by Yessous Camilleri was headed away by a Hamrun defender. Hamrun keeper Lee Garrard saved a shot by Matthew Caruana, another freekick shot by Yessous Camilleri was cleared to a corner by a defender and substitute Alfre Carabott served Tonio Mackay in the area but he fouled a Spartans defender and a good chance was lost.

After substitute Ryan Refalo was fouled on the right flank, Zarb saved the freekick shot by Kyle Civelli and the last action came from Valletta when the ball was cleared to a corner after a freekick by Yessous Camilleri.

Referee: Trustan Farrugi

Fgura Utd 3 vs Ghaxaq 0

Fgura were the better side in this low-key game. Ghaxaq managed to create some occasions during the first period but succumbed to Fgura’s pressure after resumption.

Ghaxaq wasted the first occasion as Jozwe Spiteri served Ryan Abela with a through ball on the left flank but Fgura keeper Warren Bianco neutralised the ball from the latter’s cross.

At the other end, Brady Tonna served Braden Safrett with a short corner pass but his cross from the left found no takers in Ghaxaq’s area.

After Nigel Agius was fouled outside the area, Bianco saved the freekick taken by Noel Bilocca who later foiled Ryan Abela from concluding with a timely sortie after he was put through by Nigel Agius.

The goalie also saved on Bilocca after he was put through by Jozwe Spiteri.

Four minutes before half time Fgura forged ahead against the run of play. Substitute Redeemer Briffa served Lydon Vella with a through ball, the latter returned the compliment to Safrett who netted with a low shot after entering the area.

The second period was totally dominated by Fgura who added two more goals to their tally, while Ghaxaq created only one occasion.

Four minutes after restart Fgura doubled the score. Substitute Kris Abela won a loose ball in his own half and after out-speeding two opponents he entered the area and shot past Ghaxaq keeper Jenson Chetcuti.

Fgura kept pressing and were rewarded for their efforts on 53 minutes as they scored their third goal. From a Redeemer Briffa perfect cross from the right flank Lydon Vella had the easiest of tasks to shoot past Chetcuti when he was unhindered in Ghaxaq’s area.

Ghaxaq’s only occasion was on 56 minutes as Noel Bilocca served Jozwe Spiteri with a long throw-in inside Fgura’s area and his shot missed the upright by inches.

The last two actions before the end came from Fgura. Safrett served substitute Anthony Baldacchino with a cross-pass from the left but he headed out from inside the area and Brandon Cain served Lydon Vella with a through ball in the area but a defender cleared his shot to a corner.

Referee: Alexei Tabone

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