Section A

Gudja-Ghaxaq 2-2

This southern derby ended in the sharing of the spoils.

Ghaxaq took just 45 seconds to take the lead through BJORN DALLI who took advantage from an error by Gudja’s defender Leslie Burke.

Gudja’s reaction produced a shot by Elton Bugeja and a Leslie Burke free-kick which finished just wide.

Gudja pushed forward and were very close through Joe Catania and Dalzier Zammit.

After the change of ends Gudja increased the pressure and early on were close through Elvin Gauci and Leslie Burke.

They managed to draw level on 50 minutes through ELVIN GAUCI whose shot was deflected by Ghaxaq’s central defender Johan Zammit but four minutes later Ghaxaq regained the lead through a penalty given for a foul by Clifford Mangion on Kim Caruana and converted by JOHAN ZAMMIT.

Gudja were very close through substitute Wayne Fischer but two minutes into injury-time they drew level through ELVIN GAUCI, who was immediately sent off for a second booking.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Gharghur-Fgura 2-1

Gharghur dictated the proceedings throughout the first period and opened the score after 13 minutes through a close-range shot by ALAN SPITERI, the best player on the field of play.

In the 26th minute Fgura’s custodian Farrugia denied Alan Spiteri with an excellent save and just before the break Fgura wasted a clear goal scoring opportunity through Christian Bordieri.

Early on in the second period, Gharghur were denied by Farrugia off a point-blank shot by Karl Vella Petroni but they managed increase their lead on 51 minutes through EDMOND LAPIRA following good work by Alan Spiteri.

Then Spiteri wasted a glaring opportunity with Fgura reducing the arrears in the 71st minute with CLINT ELLUL heading in from a cross by Ivan Pace.

Two minutes from time Fgura were close through Silvano Pace.

Referee: Philip Farrugia

Mdina K-Qrendi 0-1

The first-half was a monotonous affairs with play resulting mainly in the midfield sector.

After just two minutes Mdina’s striker Matthew Francalanca missed a clear opportunity with Qrendi gaining the initiative and were close through Robert Darmanin and Jesmond Azzopardi.

The second half was much better with Qrendi taking the lead through a penalty given for a foul on RONALD SPINA and converted by the same player.

In a counter-attack, Qrendi wasted a glaring goal scoring opportunity through Adrian Muscat with Mdina going close through a James Vella free-kick which was deflected to a corner-kick.

For the umpteenth time this season Mdina’s gear continues to make it almost impossible for both the journalists and probably also by the officials to recognise the numbers on the players’ backs.

Referee: Juergen Spiteri.

Sirens-Luqa SA 1-2

Luqa were close early on through MARK SAID but the same player managed to put his team ahead in the 8th minute in a quick counter-attack.

Sirens’ reaction produced a deserved equaliser through GLENN GATT on 14 minutes and then his twin striker Giovanni Galea was close with a low shot which was saved by Psaila.

In the 35th minute Schembri denied Luqa’s midfield player Maverick Psaila and a minute befote the break Luqa missed a clear opportunity with Jason Cutajar shooting just high over the bar following a good move by Said.

After the change of ends attempts by Zacharía Galea and Alan Xuereb finished just wide.

Luqa scored the winning goal through ADRIAN PSAILA whose shot was deflected into the net by Sirens’ defender Warren Muscat.

Referee: Jude Amin Utulu.

Section B

Kirkop-Pembroke Ath 1-0

Pembroke were close alter just three minutes through Kevin Vella with Kirkop wasting a clear opportunity through Matthew Aquilina.

In the 17th minute Kirkop oponed the store through a low shot by MATTHEW AQUILINA alter the ball had bounced off the upright off an attempt by Michael Theuma.

In the 50th minute Pembroke were unlucky as a header by Simon Borg hit the crossbar and on other occasions attempts by Steve Micallef and Mario Manicolo were saved with difficulty by Cardona.

In the 90th minute Pembroke gained a penalty for a foul on Kevin Vella but the same player had his shot from the spot saved by Cardona.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut.

Mtarfa-St Lucia. 0-0

The Saints dictated the proceedings throughout the first period and alter just seven minutes Fabian Cutajar headed just wide from a Liam Cutajar corner-kick.

Then the Saints were denied by Kart Gatt off a shot by Joseph Gatt ando n another ocasión a conclusión by Emanuel Cutajar just missed the target. At the other end Mtarfa were close through Giorgio Cumbo with the Saints wasting a clear goal scoring opportunity through Liam Cutajar from a cross by Brian Chetcuti.

In the opening stages of the second period Mtarfa were close on two occasions through Giorgio Cumbo and Mark Abela with the Saints gradually regaining the initiative and in the 67th minute they were denied by Kart Gatt off a Clint Vella crosshot.

They then wasted a glaring opportunity through Brian Chetcuti with Mtarfa replying through a Roderick Sammut free-kick which was saved with difficulty by Fulvio Azzopardi.

Late in the match the Saints were again close through Brian Chetcuti and Clint Vella and also had a goal disallowed for an offside infringement. However two minutes from time Saints’ keeper Fulvio Azzopardi brought off two incredible saves to deny Mtarfa’s striker Warren Grima.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.