Section ‘A’

Ghaxaq-Zebbug R 1-1

Ghaxaq shared the exchanges early on and after five minutes they were close through Bjorn Dalli.

At the other end Zebbug created clear opportunities through Jonathan Zammit and Ramon Bonello but on 28 minutes it was Ghaxaq who took the lead through a low shot by Bjorn Dalli following good work by Albert Caruana. The Rangers’ reaction was immediate and in the 33rd minute they were denied by Celeste off a Gordon Mallia volley and four minutes later George Saliba hit just wide from close-range.

Then the Ghaxaq keeper did very well to stop attempts by Jeremy Gatt and Julian Camilleri with Ghaxaq coming back through Bjorn Dalli whose low shot was saved by Galea. On the stroke of half-time Zebbug were back on level terms through Julian Camilleri who beat Celeste from the edge of the penalty area.

The Rangers continued to push forward throughout the second period but they were denied by Celeste in the 57th minute off a shot by Gordon Mallia. Then, on 74 minutes Celeste turned the ball onto the upright to stop an effort by Jeremy Gatt and the Ghaxaq keeper again did well on two further occasions as he brought off fine saves to deny Jonathan Zammit and George Saliba.

In a counter-attack in the 89th minute Ghaxaq were close through Michael Caruana.

Referee: Pierre Bonnici.

Xghajra-Attard 1-1

After only three minutes Xghajra were close to taking the lead through a close-range header by France Mizzi which was blocked on the goal line. Gradually Attard shared the exchanges and they broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with Firas crossing from the left flank and Fabian Cutajar shot in from close-range.

Five minutes later Xghajra were denied by Owen Formosa off a Damian D’Amato free-kick with Attard responding through a Firas free-kick which just missed the target.

A minute before the break Xghajra were back on level terms when they were given a penalty for a foul on Lizio Grech and Anthony Brignone scored from the spot.

Attard played the better football after the change of ends but it was Xghajra who could have taken the lead in the 49th minute but France Mizzi hit high over the bar from close-range.

In the 64th minute the Xghajra keeper Camilleri brought off a difficult save to deny Floyd Farrugia and later on Marlon Cutajar headed just wide from a Clive Lanzon free-kick.

In the 78th minute referee Francalanza booked Attard’s striker Elon Cassar for a second time leaving his team with ten players but they were still good enough to go close on a couple of occasions.

Referee: Chris Francalanza.

Fgura-Mtarfa 1-0

After only two minutes Fgura went close through a shot by Matthew Spiteri which was saved by Adrian Muscat.

Fgura pushed forward and were again denied by Muscat off attempts by Mark Ellul and Daniel Said and in the 18th minute the Mtarfa goalkeeper was again on hand to stop a close-range header by Mark Ellul.

On 33 minutes Clayton Garzia put Fgura 1-0 ahead with a low shot and seven minutes before the break an effort by Mark Ellul was again splendidly saved by Muscat.

After the change of ends Mtarfa were the better team and early on went close through two free-kicks taken by Joe Farrugia and Johan Briffa but late in the match they were close to an equalising goal with Richard Attard’s header being splendidly saved by Ranier Farrugia.

This win means that Fgura are now sharing the top spot with Zebbug Rangers and Attard.

Referee: Aaron Fenech

Qrendi-Mdina K 0-1

The first-half was a balanced affair with Qrendi twice going close early on through Joe Mercieca and Josef Mansueto from well-taken free-kicks.

On 29 minutes George Frendo gave Mdina the lead from a long-range free-kick with the Qrendi keeper Matthew Mangion being deceived by a deflection by Saviour Sacco.

Three minutes later Qrendi went close through Josef Mansueto and at the other end Mdina were first denied by Mangion off a Roderick Schembri free-kick and then a Matthew Francalanza header went inches wide of the far post.

After the change of ends Qrendi dictated the run of play but it was Mdina who went close early on through George Frendo.

On 63rd minute Mdina were also unlucky to hit the post through an Ayrton Buhagiar free-kick with Qrendi coming back through two attempts by Josef Mansueto. Despite Qrendi’s late pressure, Mdina managed to hold on to their slender lead.

Referee: Paul Apap

Section B

Gharghur-Gozo 1-3

The Gozitans dominated the first period and early on Gharghur’s defender Sam Vella cleared off the goal line to deny Chris Camilleri.

Then Chris Camilleri hit just wide fro a good position and in the 25th minute the same player tested Vella with a strong shot.

Gozo pushed forward and after losing an easy opportunity through John Camilleri, they deservedly broke the deadlock through Joseph Portelli from a Brian Meilaq corner-kick.

Just before the break the post denied Gozo off a free-kick well-taken by Chris Camilleri with Gharghur coming back strongly in the opening stages of the second period. However it was the Gozitans who increased their lead through Joseph Portelli in the 55th minute.

Then Joe Portelli hit high over the bar from close-range but Gharghur managed to score through John Schembri’s low shot in the 64th minute. Barely four minutes later the Gozitans practically sealed the issue with Chris Camilleri making it 3-1 with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

In added time Gharghur’s defender Daniel Borg was sent off for a professional foul on John Camilleri.

Referee: Thomas Debono.

Gzira-Kirkop 2-0

Seven minutes into the match, Kirkop went close through a Mark Farrugia free-kick which was saved by Keith Camilleri.

At the other end the Kirkop keeper Stephen Mizzi brought off fine saves to stop efforts by Keith Bonello and Hashem Rhababh.

In the 27th minute Gzira were very close as a header by Rhababh just missed the target and ten minutes later a low shot by Neil Zarb Cousin was saved by Mizzi.

The Kirkop custodian was again in action in the 45th minute with a very difficult save to deny Alex Marmara but five minutes after the restart Mizzi was beaten by Aldrin Muscat for what proved to be the winning goal.

Gzira sustained the pressure with Aldrin Muscat again going close through a low shot which was saved by Mizzi.

On 65 minutes a header by Liam Mangion went inches wide of the far post and in the 82nd minute Aldrin Muscat headed onto the crossbar from a cross by James Tabone.

In added time Gzira scored a second goal with Mizzi saving partially off a shot by Nico Corito but Thane Micallef was on hand to score from close-range.

Referee: Adrian Caruana