Balzan Y.-Zebbug R 1-0

Balzan dictated the run of play during the first-half and early on were close through Ismael Zammit.

In the 16th minute a low shot by Kurt Coleiro was well saved by Martin Pace and four minutes Balzan missed a clear opportunity thyrough Luke Stivala.

Balzan continued to push forward and were again close through a Stivala free-kick whereas on 34 minutes Aaron Agius crossed from the right flank and Stivala’s low drive was blocked with difficulty by Pace.

Five minutes after the restart Balzan’s striker Aaron Agius shot just high over the bar following a personal effort and in the 52nd minute Pace came out of his goal to foil Kurt Coleiro.

In the 58th minute the Zebbug keeper blocked a point-blank effort by Clayton Caruana but six minutes later Balzan broke the deadlock through a penalty given for a foul on Trevor Thomas and scored by IVAN ZAMMIT. The decision was contested by the Rangers’ players.

The Rangers’ reaction produced two attempts by Lawrence Vella and Gordon Mallia which were saved with difficulty by Joshua Galea with Balzan responding through dangerous attempts by Aaron Agius and a wasted opportunity by Kurt Coleiro.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

* * *

Naxxar L-Birzebbuga SP 2-0

The first period belonged to Birzebbuga St.Peter’s who dictated the proceedings going close on various occasions.

Early on Michael Ciappara shot wide from the edge of the penalty area and on other occasions the Naxxar custodian David Vella denied Birzebbuga off efforts by Ronnie Celeste.

The Saints sustained the pressure and in the 30th minute a Noel Tabone header was again saved by Vella but four minutes before the break an error by Saints’ goalkeeper Paul Celeste allowed JOSEPH MERCIECA to give Naxxar a half-time lead.

A minute into the second half Naxxar were very close through Victor Bellia and in the 52nd minute the same player was denied by a fine save by Paul Celeste.

Naxxar practically sealed the issue on 73 minutes through VICTOR BELLIA with Birzebbuga being given a penalty a minute later when Ronnie Celeste was fouled by a Naxxar defender.

The penalty was taken by Noel Tabone with Vella turning the ball onto the post, hitting his head in the process. The Naxxar keeper had to be replaced by Bjorn Attard.

Referee: Andrea Scriha.

* * *

Lija Ath-St.Venera L 2-1

Lija dictated the run of play during the first period and early on a cross by Daniel Cremona was headed just wide by Carlo Leonardi when all alone infront of goal.

Lija continued to push forward with Daniel Cremona shooting just wide from the edge of the penalty area and on another occasion Cremona fed Glen Barry with a inch-perfect pass and the latter’s shot hit the post.

Lija were again close through two attempts by Lydon Cilia but in a rare attack in the 33rd minute, St. Venera almost took the lead with Bonnici saving off a close-range header by Mark Grech from a cross by Andre Cachia.

Lija created other opportunities through Daniel Cremona and Carlo Leonardi but in the 44th minute the Lightnings opened the score through a STEFAN FARRUGIA penalty, given for a foul on Mark Grech.

Early on in the second-half St. Venera had a strong shot by Mark Grech which was saved with difficulty by Bonnici but on 51 minutes Lija equalised when a Lydon Cilia free-kick was headed in by JEAN PAUL SCERRI past Mercieca.

St Venera replied through a dangerous Stefan Farrugia free-kick but Lija forged ahead in the 60th minute when a cross from the left flank by Daniel Cremona was finished off by LYDON CILIA.

St Venera failed to react with Lija remaining the better team. They wasted a clear opportunity through Glenn Barry and were denied by Mercieca off a Lydon Cilia free-kick and an Andre Scicluna strong volley.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

* * *

St.Andrews-Marsa 1-1

St.Andrews were the better team during the first half but it was Marsa who broke the deadlock in the 6th minute with KEVIN SCERRI beating Mercieca from a direct free-kick.

Two minutes later the Marsa goalkeeper brought off a difficult save to deny David Cuschieri and on another occasion they were again close through Luca Desira Buttigieg.

Then a shot by Nicky Vella Petroni was saved by Grima and in the 15th minute a Marsa defender cleared the ball off the line to deny Matthew Calascione.

St Andrews increased the pressure but in the 27th minute Marsa could have doubled their lead when they gained a penalty for a foul on Nicholas Vassallo but Kevin Scerri had his shot saved by Tabone.

Marsa paid dearly for this wasted opportunity as a minute later St. Andrews made it one-all through LUCA DESIRA BUTTIGIEG.

Four minutes before the end of the first half the Saints were denied by Grima off a Calascione inswinging corner-kick.

In the 56th minute St Andrews goalie Tabone did well to stop a shot by Brian Zammit and then a Steve Callus free-kick just missed the target.

Then Marsa squandered a goal scoring opportunity with Alan Delceppo shooting wide in front of goal and in the 82nd minute a point-blank effort by Peter Cachia was saved by the advancing Tabone.

The Saints’ goalkeeper then twice denied Kevin Scerri with the Saints responding through Luca Desira Buttigieg whose shot was saved with difficulty by Grima.

Referee: Mitchell Scerri.