Zejtun C-Zurrieq 0-2

The first-half was a balanced affair with Zurrieq creating the first goal scoring opportunities.

They went close through a free-kick taken by Matthew Genuis but in the 8th minute they could have taken the lead as a shot by Ray Attard was saved by Ranier Farrugia with the ball hitting the crossbar.

At the other end Zejtun were close through Adrian Carabott and Edward Azzopardi with Zurrieq coming back through Klinsmann Grech whose low shot was saved by Farrugia.

Zejtun could have opened the score in the 22nd minute but Charlo Magro’s headed attempt was blocked on the goal line by a Zurrieq defender.

In the 26th minute a melee ensued in the Zejtun penalty area and Zurrieq’s captain Darren Bellizzi managed to beat Farrugia to give Zurrieq a 1-0 lead.

Zejtun’s reaction produced a Charlo Magro free-kick which was saved by Azzopardi and another dangerous free-kick taken by Edward Azzopardi which was punched away by the Zurrieq goalkeeper.

Just before the break another Azzopardi free-kick was headed just wide by Charlo Magro.

After the resumption the Corinthians did the attacking and were very close early on through Edward Azzopardi and Kenneth Abela.

Then a strong volley by Karl Vassallo just missed the target and in the 71st minute the post denied Zejtun off a header by Jason Cachia with the ball finally being cleared off the goal line.

In the 75th minute Zejtun wasted a glaring opportunity with Any Portelli crossing the ball from the right flank and Charlo Magro, all alone, shot high over the bar.

Zurrieq made a double substitution as brothers Josef and Johan Briffa were brought in and immediately they left their mark as on 82 minutes Josef Briffa crossed from the left flank and Johan Briffa, with a first-timer, managed to beat Farrugia.

Two minutes from time Zejtun were given a penalty for a foul on Andy Portelli but Charlo Magro’s shot from the spot was well saved by the Zurrieq keeper.

This is Zurrieq’s first win for this season and Zejtun’s first defeat for over more than a one-year period.

Referee: Roberto Vella.

Zebbug R-Mellieha 0-1

Mellieha played the better football throughout the first 45 minutes and early on attempts by Kevin Gauci and Alex Portelli were well saved by the Rangers’ goalkeeper Martin Pace.

Mellieha had their best opportunity as a cross by Philip Taylor was headed at goal by Brazilian striker Fabiano Bassi but Pace was on hand to bring off a very difficult save.

Zebbug gradually started to share the proceedings and went close through Mark Deguara who ended a personal effort with a rising shot which was saved by Simon Gauci.

During the second period Mellieha continued to push forward and in the 52nd minute they were denied by the Rangers’ keeper off a long-range free-kick taken by Luke Cauchi. In the 59th minute a shot by Matthew Borg was blocked and a minute later a shot by Philip Taylor was deflected to a corner-kick.

Mellieha’s pressure paid off in the 65th minute as they got the goal that mattered through Fabiano Bassi following an error by the Rangers defensive line.

Zebbug tried their best to get back on level terms but were rather ineffective upfront with Mellieha wasting a clear goal scoring opportunity as a cross by Nikolai Filipov was missed by Matthew Borg in front of goal.

This win means that Mellieha are the new Second Division leaders.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Senglea-St Patrick 7-1

Senglea managed to obtain an easy victory over the Saints scoring five goal in quick sucession in the second part of the match. Senglea went close early on through a header from Ricardo Severino off a Timmy Thomas cross.

St Patrick replied a few minutes later through an Alex Ellul shot which was neutralised by George Attard.

Senglea opened the score in the 20th minute through a Simon Aquilina header off a cross from Advan Cakiqi.

A few minutes later, Senglea went close through a shot from Ricardo Severino which just missed the upright.

In the 42nd minute, Senglea doubled the score thanks to a personal effort from Kevin Galea who dribbled Franklin Azzopardi and concluded in an empty net.

St Patrick reduced the score in the 45th minute thanks to a shot from Randal Cassar.

In the second part, Senglea maintained the initiative and increased the lead in the 56th minute with a shot from close range by Advan Cakiqi.

Three minutes later, Ricardo Severino scored Senglea’s fourth when he headed in off a cross from Advan Cakiqi.

Senglea scored again in the 65th minute when Timmy Thomas took advantage from a bad goalkeeping decision and headed in from close range.

Just a minute later, Ricardo Severino scored again with a low shot just outside the penalty area.

Senglea’s final goal was scored in the 78th minute thanks to a personal effort from Timmy Thomas.

Referee: Paul Apap

Naxxar-Rabat 0-1

Rabat obtained a very inportant victory over promotion rivals Naxxar with a late goal thanks to which they now share the first position in the league table together with Mellieha.

Naxxar went close early on through a direct freekick from Darren Falzon which went wide.

In the 19th minute, Naxxar had another good opportunity through Darren Falzon whose shot went over the crossbar. Rabat replied in the 26th minute when David Azzopardi crossed towards Justin Felice whose header just missed the upright.

Rabat went close again in the 41st minute but were unlucky as Justin Felice hit the crossbar from close range.

In the second part, Rabat went close through an effort from William Borg which was neutralised by Kevin Agius. Naxxar replied a few minutes later through a shot from Darren Falzon which went high over the crossbar.

In the 59th minute, Rabat had Dylan Falzon sent off for a double yellow card while in the 70th minute Naxxar’s Adrian Fenech was sent off with a direct red card after having passed some comments.

In the 79th minute, Rabat were awarded a penalty for a foul by Mattia Del Negro on Adam Smeir but the latter’s shot was saved by Kevin Agius.

Rabat scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute thanks to a close range shot by David Azzopardi. Naxxar replied a few minutes later through a dangerous cross from David Cauchi towards Darren Falzon who failed to capitalise from close range.

Rabat went close to another goal in the 89th minute but David Azzopardi’s effort was neutralised by Kevin Agius.

Referee: Paul Caruana