Rabat-Balzan Y 0-1

The first half was a balanced affair with Balzan being very close early on as a shot by Kurt Coleiro was blocked by Dylan Falzon on the goal line.

At the other end the Balzan goalkeeper did well to save efforts by Adam Smeir and on other occasions attempts by Chris Schembri and Emmanuel Muscat went inches wide of the far post. Balzan were close to taking the lead on two occasions through Ives Bilocca.

On 41 minutes the Balzan goalkeeper Sean Mintoff came out of his goal to anticipate Adam Smeir with the Balzan keeper having to leave the field of play as he was injured.

In added time an incident between Adam Smeir (Rabat Ajax) and Sergio Cappitta (Balzan Youths) led to the Balzan defender being shown the red card.

Five minutes into the second half Chris Schembri went close for Rabat with a shot which just missed. Balzan replied through a Gilbert Scerri free-kick and on another occasion an attempt by Ryan Mifsud was well saved by Jonathan Azzopardi.

Rabat were denied by Brian Bonello off attempts by Michael Micallef and Chris Schembri and on another occasion substitute Aaron Vassallo shot straight into Bonello’s hands when all alone in front of goal.

Six minutes from time Balzan were given a penalty for a foul by Dylan Falzon on Gilbert Scerri with Kurt Coleiro converting from the spot. Rabat’s reaction produced two dangerous attempts by Aaron Vassallo and Jonathan Bezzina.

Referee: Sammy Attard.

Melita-Zurrieq 0-1

Two minutes into the match and Melita created their first opportunity a David Azzopardi’s well-taken free-kick was well saved by Julian Azzopardi.

Then the Zurrieq custodian was again on hand to bring off fine saves to stop efforts by Azzopardi and Matthew Borg I. Zurrieq were quite organised at the back but five minutes before the end of the first period Melita again went close through David Azzopardi.

The Amateurs continued to press forward throughout the second half with Matthew Borg II, George Gribbom and Matthew Borg I going quite close. In a swift counter-attack on 65 minutes Zurrieq scored the only goal of the match through substitute Chris Farrugia who beat Matthew Sapiano with a low shot.

At the other end Melita were again very close through Mark Hyzler and Matthew Borg I whose efforts were saved by Azzopardi.

In the 82nd minute the Melita striker Matthew Borg I appeared to have been floored by Azzopardi with Melita protesting for a penalty and five minutes into injury time they hit the post through David Azzopardi from a direct free-kick.

Referee: Thomas Debono.

Sirens-Mgarr U 0-0

Mgarr dictated the run of play during the first period with Mgarr creating the first goalscoring opportunity with a Matthew Borg shot being saved by Buttigieg and from the resultant corner kick the Sirens’ defender Clyde Grech cleared the ball which bounced off the crossbar.

Mgarr were again close through Malcolm Bugeja and Matthew Borg with Sirens gradually coming back and a Patrick Barbara goal was annulled as the Sirens’ striker had handled the ball.

On other occasions Sirens were again close through Patrick Barbara and Kenneth Zammit with Mgarr replying in the 40th minute With Chris Abela crossing from the right flank and Matthew Muscat failed to connect in front of an open goal.

Just before the break the Mgarr keeper brought off a fine save to deny Adrian Galea.

Sirens gained the upper hand in the midfield sector after the change of ends and, early on, the post denied them off an attempt by Adrian Galea. On another occasion Clyde Grech hit just wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Mgarr replied through a close-range shot by William Camilleri which Buttigieg saved with difficulty. In the 77th minute William Camillleri managed to score for Mgarr but the goal was annulled for a foul on the Sirens’ keeper.

Two minutes from time Sirens almost grabbed the winning goal with Alan Xuereb crossing from the left flank and Adrian Galea infront of goal shot high over the bar.

Referee: William Debattista.

San Gwann-Naxxar L 2-0

San Gwann dominated the proceedings during the first part of the match with Alan Spiteri giving them the lead in the 7th minute as he took advantage of a mistake by Naxxar’s captain Kevin Fenech.

Then a Clayton Giordemaina free-kick was deflected by a Naxxar defender and on another occasion Malcolm Tirchett headed at goal but Bjorn Attard saved with difficulty.

Naxxar responded through two efforts by Kevin Fenech and Andrew Catania but it was the Saints who could have increased their lead through two dangerous attempts by Tirchett.

Eight minutes into the second half the Naxxar custodian brought off an excellent save to deny Alan Spiteri.

Seconds later San Gwann’s player Clayton Giordemaina elbowed a Naxxar player and was shown the red card. Despite this handicap, the Saints increased their lead on the hour through a close-range shot by Malcolm Tirchett who took advantage from a mistake by the Naxxar goalkeeper.

The Saints again went close through Tirchett and Ryan Zammit with the Lions wasting an glaring opportunity through substitute Chris Farrugia late in the match.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.