Section A

Ghaxaq-Kalkara 1-4

Kalkara took advantage of the strong wind blowing behind their backs and dictated the run of play throughout the first half.

They took the lead in the 12th minute through a low shot by MARTIN CIANTAR and then an Anton Cassar effort was saved with difficulty by the Ghaxaq keeper.

From the resultant corner-kick a shot by Martin Ciantar was deflected by Ghaxaq’s central defender Johan Zammit. Kalkara continued to push forward and after going close through Anton Cassar, they managed to increase their lead in the 36th minute with CALVIN VASSALLO heading in past Chetcuti.

Four minutes after the restart, Ghaxaq wasted a sitter through Johan Zammit and they paid dearly for this mistake as Kalkara added further to their advantage through an angled shot by KEVIN TONNA following a personal effort.

At the other end Kalkara hit the post through a Maurice Muscat free-kick but they managed to reduce the arrears in the 87th minute through LUDVIC CAMILLERI from another free-kick.

A minute later Ghaxaq were reduced to ten players when Elton Dimech was sent off for a second caution and in the 90th minute Kalkara sealed the issue through ANTON CASSAR.

Referee: June Amin Utulu.

* * *

Xghajra T.-Gharghur 0-1

Gharghur showed their best moments early on and were close through a long range shot by Alan Spiteri which was saved by Roderick Camilleri and an attempt by Edmond Lapira which finished just wide.

Gradually Xghajra dictated the run of play and were unlucky to hit the upright through a Jonathan Cachia free-kick. They were then again close through Jesmond Azzopardi but in a rare attack in the 40th minute Gharghur broke the deadlock through an excellent shot by KARL VELLA PETRONI with the ball hitting the crossbar before ending in the net.

Three minutes into the second period, Gharghur were close through Ivan Ebejer whose shot was saved by Roderick Camilleri but in the 54th minute Xghajra could have drawn level but Christopher Zammit shot wide in front of an open goal.

In the 79th minute Aquilina was again on hand as he punched the ball to safety from a Patrick Muscat free-kick with Gharghur ending the match with ten players when Ryan Debattista was sent off in the 82nd minute for a second caution.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

* * *

Fgura U-Gudja U 0-0

Gudja United were the better team throughout the first period and early on were close through Elton Bugeja and Glenn Debattista.

Seven minutes before the break the same Gudja striker wasted a clear opportunity as he shot straight into Jesmond Lia when all alone infront of goal.

Gudja sustained the pressure after the change of ends but they were rather careless in front of goal. They managed to score through Elton Bugeja in the 59th minute but the Gudja striker was in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.

Fgura replied through a Clint Ellul free-kick which was punched away by Debattista and a Daniel Said shot which finished just high over the bar. Gudja squandered clear opportunities through Wayne Fischer and Elton Bugeja.

On another occasion Fischer was denied by a fine save by Lia. Three minutes from time Gudja had a Leslie Burke corner-kick which was headed off the line by Clint Ellul.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

* * *

Section B

Attard-Zurrieq 0-2

Attard dictated the run of play during the first-half and after just two minutes they were denied by Julian Azzopardi off a close-range shot by Chris Cristiano.

On another occasion a Gwyn Vassallo free-kick was deflected to a corner-kick but it was Zurrieq who took the lead in the 11th minute through GODFREY CHETCUTI who took advantage from an indecision by the Attard defence.

During the second half, the match was played in torrential rainstorms with the match having to be suspended for four minutes.

Zurrieq were twice clkose early on through Josef Briffa and on another occasion a dangerous crosshot by Johan Briffa was punched away by Attard’s custodian Tyron Spiteri.

In the 86th minute Attard ended with ten players with Chris Micallef being sent off for a second caution.

Four minutes into injury-time Zurrieq sealed the issue through substitute DANIEL ZAMMIT from a cross by Josef Briffa.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut.

* * *

Zejtun C-Gzira U 1-2

Zejtun were unlucky after 12 minutes when an angled shot by Glenn Azzopardi Busuttil hit the upright with Keith Camilleri beaten.

On the half-hour Gzira were very close with Nico Corito heading just over the bar from a Clyde Grech free-kick.

In the 35th minute Gzira had a shot by Clyde Grech which finished just high over the bar but they managed to open the score five minutes before the break with NICO CORITO heading in from a cross by Miguel Mifsud.

Two minutees after the restart, Gzira could have closed the match when they were given a penalty for a foul on Keith Bonello but Clyde Grech’s shot from the spot was well saved by the Zejtun goalkeeper Ludvic Fardell.

Zejtun drew level in the 62nd minute through GLENN AZZOPARDI BUSUTTIL who took advantage from an indecision in the Gzira defence but five minutes later Gzira regained the lead through a low shot by NICO CORITO following a good move by Hubert Gatt Bonello.

Gzira could have increased their lead in the 69th minute but Matthew Cocks shot just wide from close-range with Zejtun’s reaction producing dangerous efforts by Jesmar Abela and Glenn Azzopardi Busuttil.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

* * *

Pembroke A.-Siggiewi 1-0

The initial phase of the match belonged to Pembroke who were close through an Anthony Farrugia free-kick.

They however managed to open the score on 18 minutes through a promising youngster ANDREW MUSCAT following a personal effort and on the half-hour the same player was very unlucky as he hit the crossbar through a close-range shot.

Siggiewi gradually assumed the initiative and were close through Pierre Spiteri and Eman Ciappara.

Then a Jason Camilleri free-kick brought the best out of Pembroke’s keeper Mark Sciberras, the latter again coming to his side’s rescue in the 41st minute as he blocked a point-blank effort by Pierre Spiteri.

Just before the break Siggiewi wasted a clear opportunity through Mark Camilleri and early on in the second half the same striker headed over the bar from a Josef Vassallo corner-kick.

Then Jason Camilleri shot just wide with Pembroke having a Hani Arebi goal disallowed for a foul on Siggiewi’s keeper Chris Schembri. Siggiewi increased the pressure and were twice denied by Sciberras off attempts by Josef Vassallo and Jason Camilleri.

Late in the match Siggiewi were unlucky to hit the post through a close-range effort by Mark Camilleri from a Vassallo corner-kick.

Referee: Pierre Bonnici.