Rabat-Lija Athletic 1-1

After three minutes Lydon Cilia was very close for Lija but they took the lead in the 9th minute through Andre Scicluna.

Rabat were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute when Adam Smeir was fouled by Jean Paul Scerri with Smeir beating Luke Bonnici from the penalty spot.

In the 18th minute Rabat won a free-kick which taken by Alan Zahra and Adam Smeir hit just wide from close-range.

In the 34th minute Lija were denied by Azzopardi off a Lydon Cilia free-kick and three minutes later Alan Ellul hit just high over the bar with a strong shot.

In the closing stages of the first period the Lija goalkeeper did very well to stop efforts by Adam Smeir and Jonathan Bezzina.

On the hour Rabat were very close through Keith Micallef whose shot was well saved by Bonnici with Lija replying in the 69th minute as Azzopardi came out of his goal to foil Alan Medati.

Then Rabat protested for a penalty and on another occasion a low shot by Josef Tonna was well saved by Bonnici.

Although Rabat sustained the pressure it was Lija who created a dangerous opportunity through Jean Paul Scerri’s header which just missed the target.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

St Venera-Naxxar L 1-0

This was an unlucky match for referee Chris Francalanza who was injured after only three minutes.

The match was interrupted for about eight minutes and continued as Philip Agius took over with Fyodor Zammit helping out as an assistant referee.

The St.Venera keeper Elvin Attard came to his team’s rescue in the 15th minute when he brought off a fine save to stop a Mark Deguara grounder.

Then a Jean Pierre Zahra free-kick finished in the side netting with St. Venera losing a clear opportunity through Johan Scicluna. In the 26th minute Lightnings’ striker Mark Grech shot at goal but Kevin Agius brought off a fine save as Naxxar’s immediate reply produced an attempt by Mark Deguara which was parried by Attard.

On 39 minutes St. Venera were unlucky as a header by Mark Muscat hit the upright. In the 56th minute St.Venera got the goal that mattered as a corner-kick taken by Gerard Camilleri was headed in by Stefan Farrugia with the ball hitting the underside of the crossbar before finishing in the net.

Naxxar reacted strongly but it was St. Venera who contnued to create the better opportunities. They went close through Mark Grech and in the 75th minute they lost a penalty through Stefan Farrugia.

The final minutes of the match were quite exciting with the Naxxar keeper bringing off difficult saves to deny James Galea and Dean Demanuele and with the Lions creating dangerous opportunities through Keith Caruana and Andy Portelli.

Referee: Chris Francalanza/Philip Agius.

Balzan-San Gwann 1-3

The Saints went close early on through Malcolm Tirchett and Roberto Brincat but it was Balzan Youths who broke the deadlock in the 12th minute as a pass by Gilbert Scerri was picked up by Simon Mizzi who beat Justin Spiteri with an excellent shot.

In the 21st minute San Gwann were denied by Bonello off a shot by Malcolm Tirchett and five minutes later Rene Forace headed just wide from a cross by Antoine Zahra.

Then a strong shot by Malcolm Tirchett just missed the target and at the other end Balzan were very close on two occasions through Aaron Agius.

The Saints had an excellent second-half and were back on level terms on 56 minutes as a free-kick by Lee Cumbo was headed in by Keith Fabri from a Lee Cumbo free-kick.

On the hour San Gwann gained the lead with Roberto Brincat laying on a perfect pass for Malcolm Tirchett to hit home past Bonello. The Saints assured themselves of victory with a third goal in the 71st minute with Antoine Zahra finishing off yet another good move by Roberto Brincat.

Seven minutes later Balzan were close through Marlon Monreal and five minutes from time Kurt Coleiro hit just high over the bar.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Mgarr-Zurrieq 1-0

Mgarr United did the attacking throughout the first period with the Zurrieq keeper bringing off a difficult save to deny Matthew Muscat.

In the 19th minute Malcom Bugeja hit just high over the bar from a well-taken free-kick and a minute later another Bugeja free-kick was headed by Matthew Borg with Azzopardi bringing off a difficult save.

Later on Mgarr created their best opportunity as a Matthew Muscat shot was blocked by Elton Camilleri on the goal line and six minutes before the change of ends Chris Abela hit just wide from close range.

In the 59th minute the Mgarr custodian Debattista brought off a fine save to deny Michael Abdilla and seven minutes later Mgarr’s striker shot high over the bar when all alone in front of goal.

In the 73rd minute Zurrieq were close to taking the lead with Michael Abdilla crossing towards Daniel Zammit whose first-time shot went just wide of the far post.

In the 74th minute Mgarr scored the goal that mattered through Malcolm Bugeja from the penalty spot, a penalty given for a foul by Daniel Zammit on Neil Busuttil.

Zammit was sent off for a second caution. Zurrieq pushed forward but it was Mgarr who could have increased their lead but Matthew Gauci shot high in front of an open goal. Two minutes into injury-time the Mgarr keeper brought off a difficult save off a Michael Abdilla free-kick.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.