Group 1

Gzira-Swieqi 3-3

The Maroons dominated the first period and after hitting the crossbar off a Neil Gatt Coleiro free-kick, they opened the score in the 14th minute through a close-range effort by their captain Matthew Cocks.

Gzira continued to push forward and in the 23rd minute they increased their lead through an own goal by Swieqi’s defender Daniel Bianco.

On 35 minutes Gzira earned a penalty for a foul by Swieqi keeper Mercieca on Richard Attard and the latter duly converted to make it 3-0. Two minutes before the break, however, Swieqi reduced the arrears through Brian Grech, who took advantage of an indecision in the Gzira defence.

Swieqi’s reaction continued after the change of ends with Simon Sammut further reducing the arrears in the 56th minute.

Gzira replied through a Richard Galea shot which was cleared off the goal line, but in the 75th minute, Swieqi drew level through a long range free-kick by Clayton Bonello.

In added time Swieqi were unlucky when a Chris Buttigieg dipper was turned onto the post by the Gzira custodian.

This match commenced after a nine-minute delay since there were only two officials initially.

Referee: Thomas Debono

Zebbug-Gudja 3-0

This result means that Zebbug Rangers have won their Group and became the first team to make it through to the quarter-finals.

Gudja’sVince Camilleri had a shot saved by Philip Attard afte three minutes, but gradually Zebbug gained the initiative and in the 10th minute they took the lead in the 10th minute through a Mark Deguara first-timer from a cross by Stephen Calleja.

Gudja replied through Chris Grech whose shot just missed the target and, at the other end, Zebbug were very close through George Saliba and Stephen Calleja.

Two minutes before the break Attard denied Gudja off a close-range effort by Chris Grech.

The second period remained a balanced affair with Zebbug going close in the 65th minute when a Mark Deguara header was saved by Xerxen.

Gudja wasted a glaring opportunity through Roderick Debattista.

In the 80th minute a defensive mistake by Gudja allowed Mark Deguara to notch his second goal and, four minutes from time, Zebbug made it 3-0 through Stephen Calleja who took advantage of a mistake by Xerxen.

In added time Zebbug hit the post through George Frendo.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri

Group 2

Mtarfa-Rabat 1-4

Rabat Ajax dominated their derby match against Mtarfa, taking the lead after 16 minutes through Darren Galea. They made it 2-0 on 24 minutes through Adam Smeir with a low angled shot and six minutes later Smeir added a third after an attempt by Darren Galea had been blocked by an Mtarfa defender.

Just before the end of the first half, Rabat hit the post off a Ryan Micallef shot.

Rabat eased the pressure after the change of ends with Mtarfa going close on two occasions through Omar Smeir.

The Ajax made it 4-0 on 74 minutes through Darren Galea following good work by David Azzopardi with Mtarfa scoring a consolation goal three minutes later through Giorgio Cumbo.

Late in the match Rabat had a Nigel Cortis goal disallowed for an offside infringement and, in added time, Mtarfa’s midfield player Ryan Zammit was sent off for an ugly foul on Adam Wingfield

Referee: Gordon Barbara

Attard-Lija Ath 0-2

Lija opened the score after just five minutes through a penalty given for a foul by Daniel Gauci on Lija’s striker Luca Desira Buttigieg: it was converted by the same striker.

Lija were then again quite close through Antonio Saliba and Larry Lagana. Attard replied through two free-kicks taken by Jonathan Saliba and Keith Micallef which just missed the target.

Attard gained the initiative after the break and went close to equalizing through attempts by Mark Saliba, Gwyn Vassallo and Clive Lanzon but it was Lija who increased their lead in the 67th minute through Heathcliff Schembri following a Keith Darmanin indirect free-kick.

Attard replied through Mark Saliba, whose shot was saved with difficulty by Bonnici. Ten minutes from time Attard hit the post off a shot by Chris Cutajar.

Referee: Saviour Tanti

Group 3

Senglea-Siggiewi 6-2

This match had an interesting start. After just a few seconds, Siggiewi opened the score through a low angled shot by Jason Camilleri but Senglea drew level on 21 minutes through an excellent volley by Darren Grech.

Play remained balanced with Siggiewi regaining the lead four minutes later through Jason Camilleri, who took advantage of an error by the Senglea defence.

Senglea made it two-all on 26 minutes through Timothy Thomas following a personal action. They eventually took the lead in the 34th minute when a Darren Grech free-kick was hit home by Thomas.

Before the interval, Siggiewi were unlucky as a Jason Camilleri free-kick hit the post.

Early in the second half Pierre Spiteri missed a sitter for Siggiewi. Senglea then made it 4-2 on 52 minutes through a low shot by Bjorn Dalli.

On the hour Timothy Thomas notched his hat-trick for Senglea’s fifth goal and the same player was very close on various occasions later on in the match.

Seven minutes from time Senglea scored their sixth and final goal through Erin Azzopardi.

Senglea are now leading their Group with St Andrews on six points from two matches.

Referee: Mitchell Scerri

Group 6

Santa Lucia-Gharghur 0-3

Gharghur maintained their winning run with another convincing victory which has enabled them to become the second team to reach the quarter-finals..

They dictated the run of play during the first period and, after just 11 minutes, they broke the deadlock through a close-range effort by Shawn Vella after a strong shot by Alan Spiteri had been deflected by a Saints’ defender.

Gharghur then had attempts by Robert Southward and Jonathan Galea which just missed the target.

On another occasion, a point-blank shot by Karl Vella Petroni was well saved by Saints’ custodian Franco Scicluna.

Then an Edmond Lapira free-kick was saved by Scicluna but he was beaten for a second time in the 31st minute through Gharghur’s schemer Karl Vella Petroni. Just before the break, the Saints had a Christian Camilleri goal disallowed for an offside infringement.

Gharghur retained the initiative after the change of ends.

After hitting the post through a Mark Decesare header, they managed to increase their lead to 3-0 in the 64th minute through Karl Vella Petroni following a solo run from almost mid-pitch.

Late in the match, Santa Lucia were unlucky as an effort by substitute Barry Farrugia bounced off the crossbar.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann