Section A 0

Mtarfa-Ghaxaq 2

Ghaxaq assumed the initiative during the first period and after going close early on through Kim Caruana, the same striker gave them the lead in the 15th minute as he finished off a good move by Louis Falzon.

Ghaxaq were then denied by Mark Abela off a strong shot by Johan Zammit. Mtarfa went close through Simon Cauchi whose attempt was saved by Jonathan Agius.

Mtarfa then wasted a clear opportunity through Martin Mercieca with play gradually resulting in the midfield sector.

Mtarfa sustained their reaction after the break, going close through Roderick Sapiano and Simon Cauchi but it was Ghaxaq who managed to score on 75 minutes through substitute Charles Camilleri.

Ghaxaq were also close through Christian Cristiano and late in the match Mtarfa missed a sitter as Paul Azzopardi all alone shot wide.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit

Kalkara-Mgarr U 1-3

Mgarr United dictated the run of play for long stretches during the first half with Glenn Gauci going close in the initial stages.

Kalkara were denied by Jason Ghio off a Martin Ciantar free-kick and, at the other end, Mgarr’s striker James Borg advanced all alone but his shot was well saved by Elvin Attard.

Mgarr then lost a good opportunity through Glenn Gauci but they took a deserved lead on 38 minutes through a first-time strike by Matthew Muscat from a cross by James Borg.

Just before the break Mgarr wasted a sitter through Glenn Gauci.

Early in the second half the same player hit the post with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Kalkara came back through Nicholas Gatt who shot just wide but it was Sirens who increased their lead in the 58th minute through Matthew Muscat who finished off a good move by Gauci.

In the 83rd minute Mgarr made it 3-0 through substitute Chris Abela from a Neil Busuttil corner-kick but three minutes from time Kalkara got their consolation goal through Martin Ciantar.

Referee: Luke Portelli

Marsa-Fgura 1-0

Marsa were the better side during the first half and early on a shot by Joseph Rizzo was saved with difficulty by Fgura custodian Renald Attard.

Then Marsa were unlucky to hit the post off a shot by Kevin Scerri following a personal effort with Fgura being denied by Demis Grima off a headed attempt by Fgura’a striker Clint Ellul.

Gradually play resulted in midfield with Marsa, however, going very close through a Kevin Scerri free-kick and a shot by Kevin Naudi. Both were well saved by the Fgura custodian.

Marsa maintained the upper hand in midfield throughout the second period and took the lead in the 54th minute through a Kevin Scerri direct free-kick.

In the 70th minute Fgura’s striker Clint Ellul headed just wide from a cross by Spiteri and although they continued to push forward they were well controlled by a solid Marsa defence.

Referee: Duncan Sultana

Pembroke A..-Luqa SA 1-0

Pembroke Athleta assumed the initiative throughout the firsthalf and in the early stages they were twice denied by Luqa’s custodian Jeremy Gatt off attempts by Matthew Coleiro and Christian Glass.

Luqa had an angled shot by Randolph Penza which ended just wide and on another occasion Malcolm Tirchett’s first-time shot just missed the target. Pembroke took the lead four minutes into the second half through a tremendous shot by Jeffrey Fenech.

In the 54th minute Luqa were given a penalty for a handling infringement by Pembroke’s defender Mario Manicolo but Malcolm Tirchett’s shot from the spot was splendidly saved by the Pembroke custodian Roderick Debattista.

Debattista was again the protagonist on the hour with yet another difficult save to foil Tirchett.

In the closing stages Luqa had a Steve Callus effort which was saved by the Pembroke keeper.

Referee: Roberto Vella

Section B

Qrendi-Zejtun C 1-2

Promotion favourites Zejtun Corinthians, backed by sizeable number of supporters, overcame Qrendi’s stiff resistance with Darren Vella being the protagonist as he got the two decisive goals.

Qrendi appeared to be the livelier side early and were twice close through attempts by Ronald Spina and Adrian Muscat. In their first attack on nine minutes Zejtun’s main striker Kenneth Abela shot just wide but in the 19th minute Qrendi opened the score through a tremendous shot by Ronald Spina.

Zejtun’s reaction produced shots by Kenneth Abela which were well saved by David Farrugia.

Qrendi came back through Matthew Genuis whose strong volley was stopped by Grech. Zejtun increased the pressure and after again going close through Charlo Magro and Dino Falzon, they deservedly drew level in the 41st minute through a close-range shot by Darren Vella.

Four minutes after the break, Qrendi went close through Ronald Spina but it was Zejtun who could have taken the lead in the 55th minute as a low strong shot by Charlo Magro was spendidly saved by David Farrugia.

The Corinthians forged ahead on 69 minutes through Darren Vella’s second goal from an Edward Azzopardi corner-kick.

Just before the final whistle Zejtun could have added another goal but they were denied by Farrugia off an attempt by Jean Paul Abela.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri

Attard Kirkop U 2-2

Kirkop played the better football during the first half with Albert Busuttil going very close early on.

Attard replied through Stephen Said whose shot was saved by Farrugia.

Kirkop’s pressure paid off in the 29th minute as Matthew Aquilina managed to beat Spiteri with a low angled shot. Attard responded through Kurt Zahra whose close-range shot was saved with difficulty by Farrugia.

Kirkop increased their lead in the 37th minute through veteran Albert Busuttil following a personal effort. Just before the break Kirkop were denied by Spiteri off a point-blank effort by Brian Falzon.

After the change of ends Attard dominated the proceedings and after just five minutes they reduced the arrears through a Clive Lanzon free-kick.

Attard were again very close through Jonathan Saliba and Stephen Said but in the 57th minute they made it two-all through a low shot by Stephen Said.

This goal led to an incident involving Kirkop keeper Mark Farrugia who was sent off by referee Utulu.

Attard continued to push forward and again went close in late in the match through Stephen Said and Kurt Zahra

Referee: Jude Utulu