Section A

Ghaxaq-Mdina K 0-2

Ghaxaq played the better football during the first half but they wasted several goal scoring opportunities.

After just six minutes Ghaxaq were very close through Johann Zammit with Mdina coming back through dangerous efforts by Clint Caruana and Nicholas Micallef.

Then Ghaxaq were denied by Vella off shots by Johann Zammit and Matthew Axiaq and wasted two easy opportunities through Kim Caruana.

Ghaxaq continued to push forward and were close through Kim Caruana whose low shot was saved by Vella and just before the break Johann Zammit shot high over the bar when all alone in front of Vella.

Mdina were the better team after the change of ends and took the lead in the 62nd through an angled shot by CLINT CARUANA from a through-pass by Adrian Galea.

Then Mdina were denied further goals by Jonathan Agius off shots by Matthew Francalanza and Ian Sammut and in the 69th minute a close-range effort by Francalanza was turned onto the post by the Ghaxaq custodian.

Late in the match Agius was once again the protagonist as he blocked off a point-blank attempt by Francalanza.

Mdina sealed the issue with a second goal scored in the 84th minute with AYRTON BUHAGIAR finishing off a good move by Francalanza for a 2-0 final scoreline.

Referee: Glenn Tonna

Sirens-Gharghur 0-1

Gharghur played the better football during the first half and after going close through Robert Southward, they managed to break the deadlock in the 22nd minute through an excellent shot by ALAN SPITERI following a good move by Edmond Lapira.

Gharghur sustained the pressure and were very close through Alan Spiteri and Karl Vella Petroni with Sirens coming back through Glenn Gatt who shot just wide from close range.

Gharghur created other opportunities through Robert Southward abd Carmel Muscat with Sirens ending up with ten players in the 42nd minute as Jonathan Grech was sent off for a double caution.

Just before the break Sirens were denied by Aquilina off an Adrian Lanzon free-kick.

Gharghur retained the initiative after the change of ends with Daniel Borg heading just wide after just two minutes.

They were then denied by Schembri off a strong shot by Robert Southward and in the 57th minute they squandered an easy goal scoring opportunity through Andre Azzopardi.

On the hour an angled shot by Southward just missed the target with Sirens responding through an attempt by Jonathan Bugeja which was saved by Aquilina. In the 75th minute the Sirens’ keeper came out of his goal to anticipate Andre Azzopardi and two minutes later Sirens remained with nine players as Jonathan Bugeja was sent off when he was shown a second yellow card. A minute from time Gharghur hit the post through a long-range shot by Daniel Borg.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Section B

Gzira-Pembroke A 3-1

Gzira were close after just six minutes through a Clyde Grech free-kick which was saved by Mark Sciberras.

Then Keith Bonello hit just wide following a personal effort with Pembroke managing to score in the 14th minute through Simon Buhagiar who was however in an offside position and the goal was disallowed.

Pembroke continued to push forward and were close through a header by Luke Desira which was saved by Keith Camilleri and on another occasion a shot by Simon Buhagiar was cleared off the goal line.

In the 33rd minute an error by Pembroke’s keeper Mark Sciberras allowed ALESSANDRO PIRRONE the opportunity to put Gzira ahead with Pembroke responding through a Robert Zammit free-kick which was saved by Camilleri.

In the 38th minute the match had to be temporarily suspended due to heavy rain and a windstorm and when the match resumed Gzira were very close through Nico Corito whose shot was deflected to a corner-kick.

Gzira dictated the run of play throughout the second period and on 55 minutes they increased their lead through NICO CORITO.

Pembroke contested this goal, claiming that the scorer had handled the ball. Pembroke failed to react with Gzira again going very close through attempts by Keith Bonello and Clyde Grech which just missed the target.

Pembroke reduced the arrears in the 77th minute through a penalty given for a foul on Kevin Vella and converted by their captain ROBERT ZAMMIT.

Gzira replied through a CLYDE GRECH shot which was well saved by Sciberras but the same player made it 3-1 for the Maroons from a corner-kick.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.