This match inaugurated this season’s Third Division League with Mdina having an excellent match as they completely outclassed Zejtun Corinthians.

Mdina Knights broke the deadlock after just four minutes as Ayrton Buhagiar lobbed in over Fardell following an indecision by the Corinthians defence.

Mdina were denied by Fardell off a Buhagiar volley but they made it 2-0 with Liam Mercieca laying on a perfect pass for Ian Sammut to hit home from close-range.

A minute later Matthew Francalanza made it 3-0 with a strong shot with Zejtun’s reaction producing a Mario Farrugia personal effort and a low shot which was parried by Sciberras.

In the 43rd minute Nicky Micallef finished off a solo effort as he shot in past Fardell to make it 4-0 at the end of the first half.

After the change of ends Mdina retained the initiative with Fardell denying them off attempts by Matthew Francalanza and George Frendo. Late in the match Zejtun’s defender Kevin Tonna fouled Mdina’s substitute Frendo and was sent off by referee Scerri.

Referee: Mitchell Scerri

Luqa SA-St Lucia 1-5

This was a fine performance by the Saints who obtained a merited win in a match against Luqa St Andrews which they dictated for long stretches.

Luqa dictated the run of play in the opening phase of the match and after twelve minutes they were denied by Zammit off an attempt by Owen Psaila.

On 13 minutes Luqa were unlucky with Randolph Penza’s shot being saved by Zammit with the assistance of the crossbar but gradually the Saints shared the exchanges and after two close attempts by Sean D’ Amato and Kurt Grima, they broke the deadlock on the half hour as Charles Agius’ square pass was taken up by Liam Cutajar who shot home from close range.

The Saints increased their lead in the 41st minute through Kurt Grima and made it 3-0 in the 66th minute through Antoine Sapiano following good work by Grima.

On 73 minutes the Saints scored a fourth goal through Roderick Mangion who had just come in as a substitute with Luqa getting a consolation goal a minute later through Emanuel Cumbo.

In the 79th minute Liam Cutajar finished off a personal effort with a low shot to make it a final 5-1 scoreline for Santa Lucia.

Referee: William Debattista

XghajraT.-Siggiewi 3-3

Siggiewi seemed heading for a comfortable win when they were leading 3-0 at the end of the first half but Xghajra had an incredible recovery after the change of ends to finally make it 3-3!

Xghajra were close after just two minutes through Jesmond Azzopardi whose shot was blocked by Jonathan Debono on the goal line. Azzopardi was again close in the seventh minute through a low shot which was saved by Vella but Siggiewi broke the deadlock five minutes later when they were awarded a penalty for a hands ball by Martin Portelli and Pierre Spiteri duly converted from the spot.

Xghajra tried to react but it was again Siggiewi who managed to score on 24 minutes through Eman Ciappara with Josef Vassallo making it 3-0 on the half hour following a lapse in the Xghajra defence.

Two minutes before the break Siggiewi’s keeper Vella brought off a fine save to deny Lizio Grech.

Early on in the second period the crossbar denied Siggiewi off a Josef Vassallo volley with Xghajra wasting a penalty in the 56th minute as Jesmond Azzopardi’s shot from the spot was saved by the Siggiewi keeper.

On 67 minutes Xghajra pulled a goal back through Anthony Brignone with Damian D’ Amato further reducing the arrears for Xghajra a minute later.

Xghajra grew in confidence and they made it 3-3 in the 81st minute through Anthony Brignone following a good move by Lawrence Malla. Two minutes into injury time Xghajra were reduced to ten players when Jesmond Azzopardi was sent off for unwarranted remarks.

Referee: Thomas Debono

Kalkara-Kirkop 0-0

Kirkop gained the initiative during the first period and early on they were very close through Alan Deidun’s free-kick which was saved with difficulty by Barbara.

On 25 minutes Kirkop were again close with Charles Pace crossing for Tyron Bonnici who headed at goal but the ball bounced off the crossbar.

In the 38th minute Kalkara had the same fate with a Joe Mizzi header hitting the crossbar with Mizzi beaten and in the 44th minute the woodwork denied Kirkop once again off a Jonathan Bellizzi close range header.

Early on in the second half Kirkop were very close through Charlo Debattista whose shot was blocked on the goal line but gradually Kalkara pressed forward and were close through Anton Cassar, Nicholas Gatt and Adrian Cutajar.

Referee: Glen Tonna.

Fgura-Zebbug R 1-3

Zebbug were the better team during the first half but Fgura played well at the back and made it difficult for their more experienced opponents.

After six minutes Zebbug were close through Nazzareno Abela (ex-St George’s) and then George Saliba wasted a glaring goal scoring opportunity. Fgura went close through Clayton Garzia and later on they wasted a clear opportunity through Clint Ellul.

They paid dearly for this mistake as Zebbug scored in the 43rd minute with Keith Farrugia crossing from the left flank and Nazzareno Abela headed in past Ranier Farrugia.

Seven minutes after the restart Julian Camilleri made it 2-0 for the Rangers with Fgura having Patrick Muscat sent off in the 55th minute following an off the ball incident. Despite this setback Fgura came back into the match in the 69th minute through Mark Ellul from the penalty spot, a penalty awarded for a foul by Keith Farrugia on Clint Ellul.

Zebbug lost Nazzareno Abela in the 84th minute who was shown the red card. A minute later Keith Farrugia finished off a good move by Errol Cachia to make it 3-1 for Zebbug Rangers.

Referee: Chris Francalanza

Mtarfa-Attard 0-1

A first half goal scored by Fabian Cutajar was enough for Attard to grab their first three points of the season with Mtarfa giving their opponents a good run for their money.

Attard wasted a glaring opportunity through Fabian Cutajar after just four minutes but the same player gave them the lead in the 20th minute when he headed in from a cross by Floyd Farrugia.

Mtarfa’s reaction produced two dangerous attempts by Shawn Meilaq and Omar Smeir with Attard being reduced to ten players in the 34th minute when Daniel Haber was sent off for a second caution.

Despite this setback Attard remained the better team and twice hit the woodwork through efforts by Firas and James Anastasi.

The second period belonged to Mtarfa who created the best goal scoring opportunities. They did manage to find the net in the 80th minute through Lawrence Zahra who was, however, in an offside position and the goal was annulled.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri