Swieqi opened the score after just eight minutes through a close-range shot by Daniel Bianco from a free-kick taken by Baldassare Borg.

In the 19th minute Marsaskala drew level as Matthew Gauci’s angled shot went in past George Edwards and four minutes later Swieqi were unlucky when a shot by John Debono hit the crossbar.

Swieqi pushed forward and were again close through Matthew Spiteri whereas on another occasion a crosshot by Pierre Gaillouste hit the post. Just before the break Marsaskala were close in a swift counter-attack through their foreign striker Prince Ali Osman.

Four minutes after the restart Marsaskala took the lead with Matthew Gauci getting his second goal following a free-kick taken by Christian Bordieri with Swieqi’s immediate reaction producing a point-blank shot by Joe Gatt was saved by Chris Abdilla.

Then Swieqi wasted a clear goal scoring opportunity through Stacey Vella but they managed to equalise in the 75th minute as Abdilla failed to hold on to a shot by Baldassare Borg and in came John Debono to shoot home from close-range.

Two minutes later Swieqi’s defender Michael Ciappara was sent off for retaliation but in the 90th minute Swieqi got the all-important winning goal through substitute Steve Hyzler.

Referee: Keith Buhagiar.

Mdina K-Gudja U 0-1

The first period was played in strong winds which made it difficult for both side to show constructive football.

Mdina were close early on through Adrian Galea with Gudja replying in the 14th minute as a shot by Elton Bugeja was saved by Mark Sciberras.

Then an Aaron Guazzo effort was cleared off the line by Robert Southward with Mdina then twice going close through Sam Brown.

The second period belonged to Gudja United who dominated the proceedings. A shot by Aaron Guazzo finished just wide and then the Mdina keeper brought off difficult saves to deny Aaron Guazzo, Elton Bugeja and Omar Grech.

In the 69th minute Gudja missed a clear opportunity through Peter Paul Sammut and in the 77th minute a header by Trevor Thomas hit the crossbar.

In the 81st minute Gudja got the eining goal through a Trevor Thomas direct free-kick and three minutes from time an incident led to Jonathan Zahra being sent off from the Gudja substitutes’ bench.

In added time a shot by Peter Paul Sammut was saved by Sciberras.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Xghajra T-Mtarfa 2-1

Xghajra surprised their opponents with a goal scored after just 52 seconds through a low shot by Chris Zammit.

Mtarfa’s reaction produced a shot by Nigel Cortis which was well saved by Roderick Camilleri but on 15 minutes they drew level through a close-range effort by their foreign player Darik Abdilla.

Mtarfa continued to push forward but on 30 minutes Xghajra were denied by Duncan Galea off a Chris Zammit free-kick.

Just before the break Mtarfa replied through Roderick Sammut whose long-range free-kick was saved by the Xghajra custodian.

After the change of ends Xghajra dominated the proceedings and after 54 minutes a shot by Chris Zammit was saved by Galea.

Then a free-kick taken Jonathan Cachia just missed the target and in the 66th minute they missed an open opportunity through Neil Attard.

In the 72nd minute Xghajra took the lead through a long-range free-kick taken by their defender Martin Poprtelli and late in the match a shot by Neil Attard was saved by Galea who turned the ball onto the post.

Mtarfa’s final efforts were well controlled by their opponents.

Referee: Luke Portelli.

Section B

Fgura U-Gharghur 1-2

After ten minutes an error by Gharghur’s keeper Jean Paul Vella allowed Fgura to take the lead from a Clint Ellul long-range free-kick.

Gharghur’s reaction produced a shot by Alexander Ribic which was saved by Bianco but in the 15th minute they drew level through Malcolm Tirchett following a good move between Alexander Ribic and Chris Vella.

Then Fgura were denied by Vella off a free-kick taken by Clint Ellul with Gharghur taking the lead on 27 minutes as Malcolm Tirchett headed in from a cross by Ribic.

Fgura responded through Silvano Pace whose shot was saved by Vella. At the other end Ghjarghur had a shot by Tirchett saved by Bianco.

After the resumption Fgura reacted and after just three minutes they were denied by Vella off a point-blank shot by Patrick Muscat.

Fgura were then again close through Nazzareno Abela with Gharghur responding through an Alexander Ribic free-kick which was saved by by Bianco.

Then the Fgura keeper twice denied Gharghur’s agile striker Malcolm Tirchett with Fgura coming back through James Vella whose headeer was saved by Vella.

In added time Fgura were again very close as an angled shot by Lydon Vella justr missed the target.

Referee: Matthew Degabriele.

Kalkara-Marsa F.C. 0-1

After just four minutes Marsa were close through their captain Kevin Xerri and at the other end Kalkara were denied by Keith Brincat off a Jacob Camilleri free-kick.

Then Marsa created dangerous attempts through Yusif Abdullah and Kirsten Brincat but they managed to take the lead on 19 minutes through Shaun Spiteri with a long-range shot which surprised Jerome Peplow.

Kalkara came back through efforts by Nicky Gatt and Michael Zammit which just missed the target with Marsa responding through a swift counter-attack by Yusif Abdullah whose angled shot finished just wide.

Just before the break Kalkara went close through Michael Zammit.

Five minutes after the restart Marsa were denied by Peplow off a headed attempt by Osvaldo Zammit.

Gradually Kalkara pushed forward and were close through Michael Zammit. Then efforts by Sinclair Camilleri and Kevin Tonna were saved with difficulty by the Marsa keeper.

Late in the match Marsa were denied by Peplow off a shot by Johan Camilleri.

Referee: Stefan Pace.

Ghaxaq-Pembroke Ath 1-1

Pembroke Athleta did the attacking throughout the first period and after 12 minutes a shot by Robert Zammit was deflected to a corner-kick.

Then attempts by Geoffrey Spiteri and Julian Caruana were well saved by Ghaxaq’s custodian Ludvic Fardell and on other occasions shots by Geoffrey Spiteri and Steve Micallef finished just wide.

In a rare attack, Ghaxaq were close through Francois Galea but in added time Pembroke were given a penalty for a foul by Matthew Axiaq on Carlo Leonardi and the latter duly converted from the spot to give Pembroke the lead.

After the change of ends, Ghaxaq gained the initiative and after just a few seconds they were denied by Fardell off a shot by Carlo Leonardi.

Ghaxaq were then denied by Jean Pierre Debattista off a Brandon Bonnici free-kick and at the other end Pembroke were again close through substitute Brandon Laudi and Steve Micallef.

Ghaxaq were denied by Debattista off a shot by Matthew Axiaq and then Bjorn Dalli shot just high over the bar.

In the 79th minute Ghaxaq managed to equalise through a long-range free-kick taken by Brandon Bonnici and late in the match they were again very close through substitute Louis Falzon.

Referee: Roberto Vella.