St Patrick-Zebbug R. 3-0

After just six minutes the Saints were denied by the Rangers’ keeper Jonathan Vella off a shot by Ilyad Scicluna. However they managed to break the deadlock as a cross by Alex Ellul was finished off by David Mamo.

Zebbug were denied by Joshua Galea off an effort by Gilbert Scerri and on another occasion a conclusion by Roderick Soiteri finished just high over the bar.

At the other end Zebbug had a free-kick which was saved by Jonathan Vella and from the resultant corner-kick taken by Gilbert Scerri, Gilbert Scerri headed just wide.

In the closing stages of the first period the Rangers’ keeper Jonathan Vella brought off difficult saves to deny Alex Ellul and Steven Dimech.

Four minutes after the restart, St Patrick made it 2-0 through Anthony Portelli in a swift counter-attack with Zebbug responding through a Clint Caruana free-kick which ended just over the bar.

A minute later Jeremy Agius concluded just wide with The Saints being denied by Jonathan Vella off a header by Matthew Xerri.

In the 67th minute Zebbug were close through Omar Rababah and at the other end the Saints were close through a Gordon Failla free-kick.

Ten minutes from time St Patrick sealed the issue with a third goal scored by Alex Ellul.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

Naxxar L- Birzebbuga SP 4-1

Naxxar Lions dictated the run of play during the first period and were close on various occasions.

They were close early on as a square pass by Andre Rocha Da Silva was taken up by Darren Falzon whose angled shot finished just wide.

In the 26th minute the post denied Naxxar off a volley by Victor Bellia from 25 metres out and six minutes later a corner taken by Da Silva was headed at goal by Gilbert Camilleriu with the Saints’ keeper Gabriel Mansueto bringing off an incredible save to avoid a certain goal.

Naxxar kept pushing forward and were again close through a Da Silva free-kick but in added time the Birzebbuga striker Ronnie Celeste advanced all alone, dribbled his way past the Naxxar keeper but incredibly shot into the side netting.

Three minutes after the restart Naxxar were very close through Gilbert Camilleri with Birzebbuga almost taking the lead in the 53rd minute as a square pass by Carlos Camenzuli was taken up by Matthew Borg whose shot was splendidly saved by Bjorn Attard.

Two minutes later Naxxar broke the deadlock through a splendid free-kick talken by Gilbert Camilleri with the Saints coming back through Carlos Camenzuli whose crosshot was saved by Attard.

In the 66th minute Naxxar increased their lead as a Da Silva move was finished off by Darren Falzon and six minutes later the Lions made it 3-0 through a low shot by Andre Rocha Da Silva.

In the 75th minute Birzebbuga scored a consolation goal when a free-kick taken by Paul Camilleri was headed in by Matthew Borg but in the 90th minute Naxxar gained a penalty for a foul by the Saints’ keeper Gabriel Mansueto on Da Silva.

Mansueto was sent off and Birzebbuga’s midfield player Paul Camilleri had to don the goalkeeper’s jersey as he was beaten from the spot by Naxxar’s striker Darren Falzon for a 4-1 final scoreline.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Senglea Ath-Zejtun C 1-2

Zejtun broke the deadlock after just four minutes when they were given a penalty for a foul on Jean Paul Abela.

This decision was contested by the Senglea players with Silvio Sciberras scoring from the penalty spot. The Corinthians wasted a clear opportunity through Adrian Carabott and at the other end Senglea had a shot by Glenn Tanti which was saved with difficulty by Ranier Farrugia.

Zejtun replied through dangerous efforts by Adrian Carabott and Heathcliffe Schembri with Senglea getting back as a header by Timmy Thomas was cleared off the goal line by Vince Camilleri.

Then Ricardo Severino was denied by the Zejtun keeper but on 37 minutes Senglea made it one-all through Timmy Thomas following a solo run on the right flank.

A minute later Zejtun just missed the target through Carmel Formosa but in the 43rd minute the Cornthians regained the lead through a long-range direct free-kick taken by Edward Azzopardi with the ball hitting the post before finishing in the back of the net.

After the break Senglea sustained their reaction and in the 47th minute a Ricardo Severino corner-kick caused havoc in the Zejtun defence and a shot by Alan Spiteri was somehow blocked. The Corinthians were then twice close through Carmel Formosa and Ryan Cauchi with Senglea continuing to push forward but they were kept out by a solid Corinthians defence.

Ten minutes from time Senglea’s defender Gareth Magri was booked for a second time and was sent off as Zejtun then had a Silvio Sciberras free-kick which just missed the target.

Zejtun Corinthians are once again top of the Second Division league standings, one point ahead of Mellieha the latter however with a game in hand.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann

Zurrieq-Rabat Ajax 0-4

Rabat Ajax dictated the run of play during the first-half but they were held out by a determined Zejtun defence in opening fifteen minutes.

In the 17th minute Rabat broke the deadlock with Adam Smeir crossing from the right flank and Justin Felice shot in past Julian Azzopardi from close-range.

A minute later Zurrieq were denied by Jonathan Azzopardi off a free-kick taken by Johan Briffa but in the 24th minute Rabat’s foreign striker Basilemeka Onuta ended a personal run with a low shot to make it 2-0.

Then Justin Felice had a shot which was saved by Julian Azzopardi and on another occasion he just shot wide off the far post.

In the 43rd minute Rabat increased further their lead through Basilemeka Onuta after efforts by David Azzopardi and Justin Felice had been blocked.

After the change of ends Rabat kept pushing forward and in the 56th minute Adam Smeir squared the ball towards Justin Felice who shot wide when all alone infront of goal.

Three minutes later Onutu crossed from the right flank and Felice’s point-blank shot was blocked on the goal line by Owen Grech. Rabat continued to dominate the proceedings with the Zurrieq keeper bringing off superb saves to stop shots by Ontu and Davud Azzopardi.

On 76 minutes Rabat added a fourth goal through Justin Felice and five minutes later Rabat missed a sitter through Ryan Micallef. Rabat continued to create a number of opportunities and wasted two clear chances through Joseph Caruana and Justin Felice.

Rabat Ajax are now joint leaders with Zejtun Corinthians, one point ahead of Mellieha who however have a game in hand.

Referee: Mario Apap.