Mellieha were very close to taking an early lead as just after six minutes a Fabiano Bassi point-blank effort was well saved by Rueben Debono.

Gradually Zurrieq gained the initiative and in the 16th minute a long-range dangerous shot by Joseph Lia was saved with difficulty by Simon Gauci.

Then a Johan Briffa corner-kick was headed just high over the bar by Darren Bellizzi but in the 21st minute Zurrieq were given a penalty for a foul on Steve Sciberras after the Mellieha keeper had saved partially off an effort by Dylan Sciberras.

The penalty was taken and converted by Johan Briffa. In the 27th minute Zurrieq’s striker Alistair Camilleri was anticipated by Gauci with Mellieha coming back with a reaction but produced little up front with their best effort producing a shot by Nikolay Filipov which was somehow blocked to a corner-kick by a Zurrieq defender.

After the resumption Mellieha gained the initiative and after just a minute as a cross by Rosen Filipov was taken up by Fabiano Bassi who dribbled his way round the Zurrieq keeper and from a difficult angle shot in to make it one-all.

At the other end Zurrieq were very close through a Johan Briffa corner-kick with Mellieha coming back in the 58th minute as a Philip Camilleri free-kick was taken up by Nikolay Filipov whose shot was somehow blocked by the Zurrieq defence.

However five minutes later there was a misunderstanding between the Mellieha keeper and one of his defenders which allowed the Zurrieq striker Alistair Camilleri to take the ball which he shot into an empty net to put Zurrieq once again in front.

The Zurrieq striker seemed to have handled the ball and Mellieha contested the goal which was however allowed to stand.

In the 76th minute Mellieha were very close as a shot by Daniel Cremona was cleared off the goal line but despite their attacks Mellieha were never really dangerous as Zurrieq held on to their precious lead under their new coach Edmondo Romagnoli.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Zejtun C-Naxxar L 0-0

The first period belonged to Naxxar Lions who assumed the initiative for long stretches.

After just nine minutes the Zejtun goalkeeper Ranier Farrugia brought off a difficult save to deny Victor Bellia and five minutes later debutant Gabriel Zanini Duarte shot just wide from outside the penalty area.

In the 16th minute Naxxar protested with referee Apap for a penalty after a shot by Gilbert Camilleri appeared to have hit the outstretched arm of a Zejtun defender and in the 30th minute a long-range effort by Gabriel Zanini Duarte went wide off the near post.

In the 40th minute Zejtun had an Edward Azzopardi corner-kick which just missed the target and a minute later the Naxxar keeper Julian Azzopardi (on loan from Zurrieq) came out of his goal to block on Adrian Carabott.

After the resumption play was very balanced with Naxxar going close after five minutes through Darren Falzon. On the hour Zejtun had a shot by Adrian Carabott which was deflected to a corner-kick and four minutes later the Naxxar keeper came to his side’s rescue bringing off difficult saves to deny Kenneth Abela and Vince Camilleri.

Then Kenneth Abela twice shot just over the bar and in the 80th minute an Abela header was saved by Azzopardi. A minute later Naxxar were denied by Ranier Farriugia off a placed shot by Andre Rocha Da Silva and late in the match Zejtun were again close through Adrian Carabott.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Gzira U.-Birzebbuga SP 2-3

Birzebbuga dictated the run of play during the first period and early on their striker Ronnie Celeste went close following a personal effort.

On 15 minutes Gzira wasted an incredible goal scoring opportunity with Richard Attard shooting wide from infront of goal. At the other end Birzebbuga were denied by the Gzira keeper off a Mark Ellul crosshot and from the resultant corner-kick an effort by Noel Tabone was blocked by a Gzira defender on the goal line.

Birzebbuga were then again twice close through Clive Formosa and Ronnie Celeste with Gzira responding through Josef Felice who shot just wide off the near post.

A minute into injury-time Gzira broke the deadlock through Richard who managed to beat Mansueto from close-range.

Four minutes after the restart Birzebbuga managed to equalize as Carlos Camenzuli finished off a good move by Mark Pullicino. Gzira’s reaction was immediate and they regained the lead on 54 minutes through a low shot by Roberto Brincat who took advantage from an indecision in the Saints’ defence.

Just a few seconds later Birzebbuga won a corner-kick which was taken by Anton Florin and their captain Clive Formosa rose high to make it 2-2. Gzira were then close through Matthew Cocks and in the 78th minute their substitute Andrew Scerri was fouled by Birzebbuga’s defender Mark Pullicino in the penalty area.

Pullicino was sent off and Gzira were given a penalty which was however missed by Keith Bonello who shot wide.

Gzira paid heavily for this mistake as four minutes from time Birzebbuga scored the winning through a beautiful shot by Carlos Camenzuli.

In injury-time Gzira’s defender Clayton Giordemaina committed an ugly foul and was sent off.

Referee: Glen Tonna.

Zebbug R-Mgarr U 4-0

Zebbug Rangers did much of the attacking during the first forty-five minutes but they were hardly incisive infront of goal despite their new signings Timmy Thomas (on loan from Senglea) and Brazilian player Marlon Leixas Ferreira.

After 12 minutes Mgarr were denied by Jonathan Vella off a William Camilleri header with Zebbug responding through Haruna Doda whose free-kick was saved with difficulty by Claude Carbonaro.

In the 29th minute the Mgarr keeper brought off a fine save to deny Timmy Thomas and the latter was again close three minutes later as he shot just wide.

In the 42nd minute Zebbug broke the deadlock through a low shot by Haruna Doda with Mgarr replying through Chris Abela whose header was saved by Vella.

After the resumption the Rangers increased the pressure and in the 58th minute an angled shot by Roderick Spiteri finished just wide.

In the 68th minute Zebbug made it 2-0 as a pass by Joe Mercieca was concluded by debutant striker Marlon Leixas Ferreira and three minutes later Zebbug added a third goal through Timmy Thomas on his debut.

Mgarr were simply non-existent and in the 80th minute they scored yet another goal as Clint Caruana corner-kick was headed in by Timmy Thomas.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.