Gzira-Zurrieq 2-2

Zurrieq played the better football during the first period but it was Gzira who created the first opportunity as the Zurrieq keeper had to bring off a difficult save to foil Clayton Giordemaina.

At the other end Zurrieq had shots by Rocco Vardaro and Johan Briffa which finished wide but on 16 minutes Zurrieq broke the deadlock as Rocco Vardaro managed to shoot in past Mark Aquilina following good work on the left flank by Joseph Lia.

Gzira failed to react with Zurrieq again going close in the 25th minute through Jeffrey Camilleri following a fast overlap on the right flank.

Late in the first period Zurrieq could have increased their lead but Johan Briffa headed just over the bar from close-range but they did make it 2-0 just before the break through an excellent shot by their debutant Italian striker Rocco Vardaro.

After the break Gzira gained the upper hand in the midfield sector and started to dictate the proceedings.

Early on Zurrieq were close through Daniel Zammit but on 49 minutes Gzira reduced the arrears through Roberto Brincat.

Then a dangerous crosshot by Lydon Cilia was saved by Azzopardi and on another occasion a shot by Robert Brincat was cleared with difficulty by the Zurrieq defenders.

In the 63rd minute Zurrieq could have sealed their win but they wasted a clear goal scoring opportunity through Rocco Vardaro and they paid dearly for this match as Gzira made it two-all in the 75th minute through a shot by Roberto Brincat.

Five minutes from time Gzira wasted a clear opportunity through Lydon Cilia from a cross by Malcolm Sultana and in added time an angled shot by Roberto Brincat finished just wide.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Zebbug-San Gwann 1-0

Early on in the match San Gwann went close as a strong shot by Neil Goodlip just missed the target.

In the 5th minute the Saints’ custodian Christian Francica did well to save a Gordon Mallia free-kick and on 21 minutes Zebbug were very unlucky as a shot by George Saliba bounced off the upright.

A minute later the Rangers’ keeper, Jonathan Vella, who had just substituted for the injured Martin Pace, palmed away a shot by Neil Goodlip and in the 25th minute he was again on hand to stop an effort by Joseph Achokwu.

Achokwu was then very close with an angled shot which finished just wide and on 34 minutes the Rangers’ striker Omar Rababah was fouled by San Gwann’s keeper Christian Francica who was shown a straight red card. Achokwu was substituted by reserve goalkeeper Justin Spiteri.

Four minutes later Rangers’ player Jeremy Agius made unwarranted comments and was also sent off.

After the change of ends play continued to be balanced with the Saints twice being close early on through efforts by Miguel Francica and Mauro Busuttil.

In the 63rd minute Zebbug opened the score as a shot from 20 metres by Haruna Doda surprised the Saints’ keeper Justin Spiteri.

San Gwann reacted and in the 79th minute a dangerous cross by Chris Cacciattolo was saved by the Rangers’ keeper before Shaun Vella could intervene.

Late in the match the Sainbts were again close through Marco Mercieca. Zebbug Rangers are now joint leaders with Rabat Ajax and Zejtun Corinthians.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Senglea A-Birzebbuga SP 4-0

Senglea Athletic played the better football throughout the first period but the first opportunity belonged to Birzebbuga with Carlos Camenzuli being denied by the Senglea custodian George Attard.

At the other end Senglea went close through Simon Aquilina whose shot was saved by Gabriel Mansueto and on another occasion Timmy Thomas headed just wide.

On 18 minutes Senglea broke the deadlock through a low shot by Timmy Thomas following a personal effort and they increased their lead in the 27th minute through former Birzebbuga player Robert Adami following good work by Timmy thomas.

The Saints tried to react but were kept out by a solid Senglea defence, Senglea then had a shot by Simon Aquilina which finished just wide and on another occasion the same player was denied by Mansueto.

After the break play was balanced with Senglea going close early on through Timmy Thomas.

The Saints replied through dangerous efforts by Noel Tabone and Neville Galea with Senglea being denied by Mansueto off a close-range shot by Timmy Thomas.

In a swift counter-attack in the 70th minute Senglea’s agile striker Timmy Thomas broke away, went past the Birzebbuga keeper and shot into an empty net to further increase Senglea’s lead.

From then onwards play resulted in the midfield sector with Birzebbuga being close to a consolation goal as the post stopped a headed attempt by Denis Baldacchino.

In added time Senglea’s substitute Craig Pickard headed in a fourth goal for an emphatic 4-0 win for the team managed by George Faure.

Referee:Adrian Azzopardi.

St Patrick-Rabat A 0-4

The first part of the match was a balanced affair with St Patrick going close early on as the Rabat keeper brought off a fine save to stop a free-kick taken by St Patrick’s captain Clayton Failla.

In the 10th minute Rabat’s striker Adam Smeir shot just wide and eight minutes later the Rabat striker had a strong shot which was blocked following a good move by Justin Felice.

In the 24th minute St Patrick were denied by Cassar off a shot by Randall Cassar and at the other end the post denied Rabat off a shot by Adam Smeir following a through-pass by Rio Micallef.

In the 37th minute Rabat were again close through Joseph Caruana and three minutes later Justin Felice shot just wide.

Four minutes before the break Rabat opened the score through Justin Felice following a good move by Smeir. In added time Rabat could have added another goal but Alan Zahra hit wide when all alone infront of goal.

After the change of ends Rabat Ajax continued to dictate the proceedings going close early on on two occasions through Adam Smeir.

Then Justin Felice wasted a sitter but on 63 minutes the same player made it 2-0 as he managed to beat Azzopardi with a close-range shot from a cross by Smeir.

In the 70th minute Rabat added a third goal through Alan Zahra following a personal effort and seven minutes from time the upright denied the Saints off a close-range conclusion by Marko Petrovic.

Three minutes into injury-time Rabat were given a penalty when George Attard fouled Adam Smeir and from the spot substitute Emanuel Muscat converted for a 4-0 final scoreline.

Referee: Roberto Vella.