St Patrick FC-Mgarr U. 2-0

The first period was a balanced affair with Mgarr almost taking the lead after just two minutes as Chris Abela all alone shot wide to lose an easy opportunity.

In the 21st minute the Saints replied through a Gordon Failla free-kick which was headed just wide by Matthew Xerri and a minute later they won a corner-kick which was taken by Jurgen Farrugia and Alex Ellul headed in past Claude Carbonaro.

Then the Saints were denied by Carbonaro off a Gordon Failla free-kick with Mgarr wasting a sitter through debutant Ibrahim Tarek.

In added time Mgarr were denied by Joshua Galea off a strong shot by Vosko Martinovic.

After the break Mgarr did their very best to get back on level terms with James Borg going close in the 52nd minute.

At the other end the Saints just missed the target through a conclusion by Ilyad Scicluna with Mgarr replying through attempts by their striker Chris Abela.

In the 73rd minute the Saints had a close-range header by Ilyad Scicluna which finished just high over the bar but three minutes later they practically sealed the issue with a second goal as a Jurgen Farrugia corner-kick was finished off by Glenn Barry. I

n the 79th minute St Patrick appeared to have scored yet another goal through Dylan Micallef but the Saints player handled the ball and the goal was annulled. Mgarr’s late efforts were well controlled by the Saints’ defence.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

Mellieha SC-Birzebbuga SP 0-0

Birzebbuga had the better opportunities throughout the first period and after six minutes a cross by Matthew Borg was headed just wide by Carlos Camenzuli.

In a Mellieha attack the Saints’ defender Neville Galea cleared the ball off the goal line with Birzebbuga being denied by Simon Gauci off an effort by Paul Camilleri.

Three minutes later Mellieha’as talented striker Connor Muchmore headed wide when all alone in front of goal with Birzebbuga then going very close on two occasions through Aladin Pilica and Noel Tabone.

The second period started on an unfortunate note when after just four minutes Saints’ striker Matthew Borg fainted and after being assisted by the nurse Silvio Ciappara, had to be immediately hospitalised. The match had to stop for seven minutes.

On the hour Saints substitute striker Ronnie Celeste hit wide from infront of goal from a cross by Camenzuli and three minutes later Celeste wasted another goal scoring opportunity.

In the 69th minute Mellieha protested for a penalty and three minutes later Mellieha were denied by Mansueto off a direct free-kick taken by Nikolay Filipov and late in the match Birzebbuga wasted a clear opportunity with Felix Peplow shooting wide from a good position.

Four minutes into added time Saints’ striker Celeste shot straight into the Mellieha keeper when all alone in front of goal.

Referee: Mohamed Khalil.

Senglea Ath-San Gwann FC 0-2

Both teams had a number of scoring opportunities during the first period. In the second minute Senglea’s striker Timmy Thomas was denied by Saints’ custodian Justin Spiteri.

San Gwann came back through Shaun Vella whose lob was saved by George Attard and in the 8th minute Senglea could have taken the lead but Advan Cakiqi all alone shot straight into the San Gwann keeper.

San Gwann replied through a free-kick taken by Chris Cacciattolo with Attard saving with difficulty as Senglea twice went close through Timmy Thomas.

Gradually San Gwann shared the exchanges with Mauro Busuttil first hitting just wide and on another occasion he hit the foot of the upright with a close-range effort.

Six minutes before the end of the first-half Senglea were quite close through Advan Cakiqi,

Four minutes into the second-half San Gwann got the goal that set them on their way to get the three points as a good move by Shaun Vella was finished off by their foreign striker Joseph Chid Achokwu,

Three minutes later San Gwann were again close through Marco Mercieca with Senglea replying through a Robert Adami Free-kick which was well saved by Justin Spiteri.

Senglea’s pressure increased and the Saints keeper twice came to his side’s rescue bringing off difficult saves to deny Advan Cakiqi and Timmy Thomas.

Although Senglea continued to dictate the run of play it was San Gwann who created the best opportunities through Mauro Busuttil and Lee Galea and they managed to seal the issue in the 94th minute as Lee Galea managed to beat George Attard with a close-range shot.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Gzira U-Rabat Ajax 1-5

Early on in the match Rabat were very close through Justin Felice whose effort was well saved by Kyle Gerada with Gzira coming back in the 9th minute as a Yanis Tonna crosshot created havoc in the Ajax defence.

In the 13th minute Rabat opened the score as a corner-kick taken by David Azzopardi was headed in by Justin Felice.

Rabat maintained the initiative and were again very close through Justin Felice and Neil Caruana with Gzira being denied by Azzopardi off a shot by Josef Felice.

In the 39th minute Gzira ended up with ten players when Yanis Tonna wasa sent off for unwarranted comments and a minute later Rabat increased their lead through Justin Felice following an excellent move by Adam Smeir.

Three minutes before the break Rabat made it 3-0 through Emeka Basil Onuta from an Azzopardi corner-kick.

The second-half was a mere formality with Rabat making it 4-0 after 59 minutes through Adam Smeir who dribbled his way through various opponents before shooting in past Gerada.

Gzira came back through Keith Bonello whose effort was saved by Azzopardi but in the 68th minute they managed the arerears as Keith Bonello converted a penalty given for a handsball by Neil Caruana.

Then Rabat wasted a sitter through Onuta but they managed to beat Gerada for a fifth and final time in the 79th minute through a shot by Joseph Caruana from outside the penalty area.

Rabat have ended their first-round commitments, just three points behind joint leaders Zejtun Corinthians and Mellieha.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.