Naxxar vs Sirens 1-0

Naxxar Lions dictated the run of play for long stretches during the first period with the Sirens’ goalkeeper Glen Buttigieg bringing off a difficult save after six minutes to foil Adrian Fenech.

Sirens replied through a Giovanni Galea personal effort with a shot which just missed the target but it was Naxxar who continued to create the better opportunities.

On the half-hour a corner-kick taken by Chris Farrugia was not controlled by the Sirens?custodian and Trevor Fenech took advantage to shoot in from close-range.

Naxxar then wasted a clear opportunity through Andy Bartolo with Sirens responding through Mark Sciberras whose crosshot was cleared with difficulty by a Naxxar defender. On the stroke of half-time Naxxar were close as a low shot by Kevin Naudi went inches wide of the near post.

The second-half belonged to Sirens who were denied by the Naxxar keeper as he brought off an excellent save off a Clyde Grech effort. In the 73rd minute Sirens were very unlucky as a header by Kristian Galea off the post and from the rebound Ian Borg’s shot was blocked by Attard.

The Naxxar keeper was again on hand to save an angled shot by Adrian Galea but in the 78th minute Sirens? defender Kenneth Zammit was shown a second yellow card and was sent off.

In the closing stages of the match Naxxar went close through Andrew Catania with Sirens being close in the 89th minute to an equaliser through Clyde Grech.

Referee: Darren Calleja.

B’Bugia vs SP-Rabat 0-2

Both sets of defenders dominated the proceedings throughout the first period with Rabat having a good opportunity early on through Emanuel Muscat.

The same player was again close on another occasion with B’Bugia coming back through dangerous free-kicks well taken by Jeffrey Zammit.

Play continued to be very balanced with Rabat managing to score through Joseph Caruana off a Clint Micallef free-kick but the referee had already whistled for an infringement before the ball ended in the net.

A minute before the break the Rabat goalkeeper saved with difficulty off a strong free-kick taken by Edward Azzopardi.

The second period continued to be balanced with Rabat taking the lead in the 64th minute through Jonathan Bezzina from a Clint Micallef corner-kick. B’Bugia’s reaction was immediate with the Rabat custodian bringing of a fine save to stop a Leslie Burke free-kick.

Then the Saints hit the post off a shot by Steve Aquilina and on 74 minutes Jonathan Azzopardi, the Rabat goalkeeper made an incredible save to foil Ronnie Celeste. Ten minutes from time Rabat sealed the issue through substitute Darren Galea following a good move by Adam Smeir, the latter being one of the best players on the field of play.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

Mgarr vs St Venera L 1-2

Mgarr created the better opportunities in the opening stages and were close through Neil Busuttil and Eric Sciberras. In the 11th minute St.Venera replied through a Stefan Farrugia free-kick which was saved by Kevin Ellul and in the 23rd minute another Farrugia free-kick went inches wide over the bar.

Nine minutes later the Mgarr goalkeeper brought off a difficult save off an attempt by James Galea with Mgarr coming back two minutes before the end of the first-half as a William Camilleri through-pass was picked up by Chris Abela whose close-range effort was deflected to a corner.

In the 52nd minute the Mgarr goalkeeper extended his foot to block off a shot by Gerald Ancilleri but it was Mgarr who opened the score as Chris Abela took advantage of an indecision by St.Venera’s defender Johan Scicluna.

Abela then wasted the opportunity to increase the lead with St.Venera’s reaction producing a Stefan Farrugia free-kick which bounced off the upright whereas on another occasion they were again close through Pierre Spiteri.

On 78 minutes St.Venera made it one-all through an Ian Falzon header and in injury-time they clinched victory as a Pierre Spiteri corner-kick was finished off by Mark Muscat.

St.Venera could have added a further goal but Ian Falzon hit just wide from close-range.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Melita vs Lija Ath 2-0

Lija dictated the run of play for long stretches throughout the first-half and on 15 minutes a shot by Michael Mangion was blocked on the goal line by Jonathan Mifsud. Lija were then denied by Sapiano off a Beppe Antignolo shot with the Amateurs having a Michael Martin free-kick which Bonnici saved with difficulty.

Melita wasted a clear goal scoring opportunity through Matthew Borg I who failed to take advantage from an indecision by Scerri with Lija responding through Glen Barry with a low shot which was saved by Sapiano.

On the stroke of half-time Lija hit the crossbar through a header by Jean Paul Scerri. Eight minutes into the second period Melita were denied by Jean Paul Scerri who cleared the ball off the goal line off a header by George Gribbon.

They were again close trough Matthew Borg I with Lija wasting an opportunity through Glen Barry who miskicked infront of goal.

The Amateurs broke the deadlock on 70 minutes through a low shot by Julian Galea with Lija responding through Beppe Antignolo whose lob finished just high over the bar. Ten minutes from time David Azzopardi beat Luke Bonnici with an angled shot for a 2-0 final scoreline.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.