Qrendi gained the initiative early on and in the 11th minute they were denied by Kalkara’s keeper Gabriel Mansueto off a strong shot by Andrew Formosa.

Kalkara replied through a Martin Ciantar free-kick which was saved by Masena and at the other end Qrendi were very close through Robert Darmanin following a personal effort.

Play continued to be balanced with Qrendi losing a goal scoring opportunity through Andrew Formosa.

Kalkara dictated the run of play during the second half and early on were very close through Anton Cassar and Kevin Tonna.

On the hour Qrendi had a Ronald Spina shot which was cleared off the goal line and in the 72nd minute they wasted an easy opportunity through Stephen Said.

Late in the match Kalkara were denied by Mascena off efforts by Martin Ciantar and Kevin Tonna and on another occasion a low shot by Kevin Tonna hit the upright.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Gudja-Mdina K 1-2

Mdina achieved a hard fought victory over Gudja with two goals towards the end of the match. Unfortunately the match was characterised by a serious accident between two Mdina players.

Gudja went close early on through efforts from Elton Bugeja. In the 23rd minute Gudja took the lead through Roderick Debattista who netted in from close range.

Mdina went close to obtaining the equaliser a few minutes later but Joseph Debono’s shot was saved by Mark Farrugia. In the 33rd minute the match was suspended for seven minutes due to a head clash between Clint Carauan and Gilbert Camilleri as a result of which, Clint Caruana had to be hospitalised.

Unfortunately, during this incident, the nurse on duty was nowhere to be seen. When the match resumed, Gudja went close through efforts from Elvin Gauci and Roderick Debattista.

Mark Farrugia saved Gudja in the 69th minute when he neutralised shots from Joseph Debono and Ayeton Buhagiar. Mdina equalised in the 71st minute from a direct freekick by Joseph Debono. Two minutes later Mdina took the lead through Ayeton Buhagiar who netted in a Nicholas Micallef cross.

Referee: Jude Amin Utulu

Section ‘B’

Siggiewi-Attard 0-0

Siggiewi were unlucky not to have taken the lead after eight minutes as Eman Ciappara’s header was somehow blocked on the goal line.

In the 23rd minute Attard were denied by Chris Schembri off a Gwyn Vassallo free-kick and five minutes later Siggiewi had a Josef Vassallo crosshot which was turned onto the crossbar by the Attard custodian.

Then Siggiewi went close through Pierre Spiteri with Attard hitting the post through a close-range shot by James Anastasi.

Attard attacked for long stretches throughout the second half with the Siggiewi goalkeeper Chris Schembri proving to be the main protagonist as he brought off various difficult saves to stop efforts by Andre Agius, Elon Cassar and Yan Grech.

In their breakaways Siggiewi went close through Eman Ciappara and Pierre Spiteri.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut.

Kirkop-Zejtun C 0-4

Zejtun’s convincing victory over Kirkop sends a clear message that they will be competing for promotion this year. They now occupy first place in section B having won their opening two matches.

Zejtun took the lead after only 12 minutes through Andy Portelli who took advantage from a Shuan Cardona mistake.

Kirkop’s reaction came in the 33rd minute through a Benoit Buhagiar shot which went wide. In the 36th minute Zejtun scored their second goal thanks to Glenn Busuttil who anticipated Alan Deidun and hit home.

Kirkop went close in the 47th minute but Simon Cauchi’s shot was saved by Ludvic Fardell.

In the 50th minute Edward Borg netted in a third goal for Zejtun from a JP.Abela cross while Jesmond Abela scored Zejtun’s fourth goal four minutes later.

In the 76th minute Ludvic Fardell denied Kirkop a consolation goal when he saved to corner a well placed shot by Simon Cauchi.

Referee: Philip Farrugia