After just two minutes Balzan went close through Aaron Agius whose crosshot was saved by Xerxen and the latter was again on hand in the 9th minute to stop a Kurt Coleiro header.

Balzan maintained the upper hand in the midfield sector and continued to increase the pressure but it was B’Bugia who drew first blood in the 23rd minute through Ronnie Celeste who shot in past Sean Mintoff to give his team a precious lead.

A minute later Balzan could have equalised but Xerxen brought off a fine save off a Jerryton Agius header.

Then a long-range dipper by Anthony Lagana was saved with difficulty by the B’Bugia custodian who again did well in the 45th minute to block a shot by David Agius.

Two minutes after the restart Balzan won a free-kick which was taken by Gilbert Scerri and Sergio Cappitta rose high to head in past Matthew Xerxen.

Balzan retained the initiative with Xerxen again denying them from a Kurt Coleiro shot and the same Balzan striker then wasted an easy chance when he headed out in front of an open goal.

In the 82nd minute Balzan were very unlucky with Coleiro’s drive bouncing off the crossbar but a minute later they scored the decisive goal through a penalty given for a foul by Clive Formosa on Gilbert Scerri and duly converted by the same player.

B’Bugia’s schemer was sent off for persistent protests. In the closing stages Balzan could have added another goal but shots by Aaron Agius and Kurt Coleiro were saved by Xerxen.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

St Andrew’s vs San Gwann 1-0

St Andrew’s played one of their best matches this season with San Gwann going close early on through a Roberto Brincat free-kick.

The Saints came back through Anthony Galea whose shot was saved by Julian Spiteri and on another occasion Andrew Camilleri Kamsky hit just wide from close-range.

San Gwann created goal scoring opportunities through Lee Cumbo and Brian Zammit but just before the change of ends St.Andrew’s scored what proved to be the winning goal with Jonathan Briscoe White crossing for Andrew Camilleri Kamsky to head in past Spiteri.

The second period was balanced with San Gwann going close early on through two dangerous efforts by substitute Alan Spiteri.

St.Andrews were very organised at the back and dangerous in their counter-attacks with Jeremy Gatt Coleiro being denied by San Gwann’s keeper Justin Spiteri.

Seven minutes from time San Gwann obtained a corner-kick which was taken by Lee Cumbo and former Valletta defender Rennie Forace headed just over the bar.

Referee: Sammy Attard.

Rabat vs Naxxar L. 2-0

Rabat Ajax played the better football during the first-half and they broke the deadlock after two minutes through Jonathan Bezzina from a well-taken free-kick.

Rabat continued to maintain the initiative but it was Naxxar who created a goal scoring opportunity through Chris Farrugia whose effort was well saved by Bjorn Attard.

Rabat replied through a shot by Alan Zahra which finished just wide and on 35 minutes Clint Micallef was also close with a shot from the edge of the penalty. Just before the change of ends Naxxar went close through Chris Farrugia.

Eight minutes after the restart Rabat went close as a point-blank shot by Adam Smeir was saved by Attard and the latter was again in action when he blocked off another effort by the Rabat striker.

Naxxar wasted a clear goal scoring opportunity through Kevin Naudi and later on Andy Bartolo hit just wide following good work by Trevor Fenech.

Seven minutes from time Rabat scored their second goal through Alan Zahra whose strong volley hit the post before ending at the back of the net. In the 89th minute a goal scored by Rabat’s substitute Kayne Said was annulled for an infringement.

Referee: Andrea Scriha.

Sirens vs Zurrieq 0-1

Early on Zurrieq were close through Dino Bonnici with Sirens’ gradually gaining the initiative and were denied by Azzopardi off a lob by Patrick Barbara.

Then a low shot by Giovanni Galea went just wide of the near post and on another occasion a square pass by Patrick Barbara found Adrian Galea unmarked but he miskicked in front of goal.

Zurrieq replied through efforts by Jeffrey Camilleri and Matthew Genuis which finished just wide and on the stroke of half-time Sirens’ striker Giovanni Galea hit at goal but Azzopardi did well to save.

In the opening five minutes of the second period Sirens had efforts by Ian Borg and Kenneth Zammit which were saved by Zurrieq’s goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi.

Gradually Zurrieq shared the exchanges with Godfrey Chetcuti hitting just wide and on another occasion a shot by Chris Farrugia was saved with difficulty by Schembri.

The match appeared to be heading for a goalless draw but in the 92nd minute Zurrieq’s striker Godfrey Chetcuti was fouled by Gareth Magri and referee Francalanza awarded Zurrieq with a penalty, a decision which brought about protests by the Sirens players with Kristian Galea being shown the red card.

Godfrey Chetcuti converted from the penalty spot for Zurrieq’s winning goal.

Referee: Chris Francalanza