Section A

Swieqi-Attard 2-2

The first period proved to be a pleasant affair with both sides going close on numerous occasions.

Early Swieqi were denied by Dunstan Zarb off a crosshot by Fabien Debono with Attard claiming a penalty in the 16th minute when Kayne Said appeared to have been fouled in the penalty area.

Two minutes later Attard had a shot by Kurt Zahra which just missed the target but they managed to open the score on 22 minutes through a shot by Kayne Said after an attempt by Dimcho Traykov was blocked by a Swieqi defender.

Swieqi came back through a Michael Ciappara free-kick which was saved by Zarb and in the 27th minute Attard were close through Erjon Beu.

A minute later Swieqi were denied a certain goal by Zarb who blocked off a point-blank shot by John Debono but just before the break Swieqi made it one-all through an excellent shot by Eric Sciberras.

After the change of ends Attard gained the initiative and in the opening fifteen minutes they were twice denied by Swieqi keeper Ryan Marmara off attempts by Kurt Zahra and Erjon Beu.

Attard continued to push forward and were denied again BY Marmara off a free-kick taken by Clive Lanzon but in the 87th minute an error by Attard’s keeper Dunstan Zarb allowed Swieqi to take the lead through Pierre Gaillouste.

A minute from time Attard equalized with Dimcho Traykov heading in from a Kurt Zahra free-kick and in injury-time Attard were denied by a superb save by Marmara off a volley by Zahra.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri

St Venera-Qrendi 2-0

St Venera Lightnings dominated the first period and after just four minutes they opened the score through a close-range effort by Dalton Wingfield.

In the 12th minute the Lightnings added a second goal with Dalton Wingfield ending a solo run with a low shot which went in past Ciantar as Qrendi replied through Leslie Schembrio whose effort just missed the target.

In the 37th minute St Venera were close to yet another goal as a header by Karl Cilia was cleared off the goal line by Jonathan Galea and just before the break a well taken free-kick by bJeffrey Zammit was saved with difficulty by Ciantar.

After the change of ends Qrendi shared the exchanges and after five minutes they missed a clear opportunity through Aaron Pendry.

St Venera were close through two free-kicks taken by Jeffrey Zammit with Qrendi being very close to reducing the arrears as a header by Joseph Bugeja was saved with difficulty by the Lightnings’ custodian Roderick Spiteri.

Qrendi continued to push forward and late in the match they squandered an easy opportunity through Aaron Pendry who shot high over the bar when all alone in front of goal.

Referee: Emanuel Grech.

Siggiewi-Sta Lucia 3-0

Siggiewi dictated the proceedings during the first period but St Lucia had the first opportunity as a close-range effort by Adrian Dominicus was saved with difficulty by the Siggiewi keeper Roderick Vella.

In the 12th minute Siggiewi missed a sitter as Stephen Delia, all alone infront of goal, shot wide and in the 27th minute a headed attempt by Mariuo Bajada was cleared off the goal line by a Saints’ defender.

Three minutes before vthe break, Siggiewi wasted an open goal scoring opportunity through Kim Buhagiar following an indecision by the Saints’ defence and with their goalkeeper Jurgen Cilia out of goal.

After the break Siggiewi dominated the proceedings and after just four minutes they took the lead through a lob by Jason Camilleri following good work by Kim Buhagiar.

Siggiewi were then very close through Mark Camilleri and Roderick Farrugia but they managed to increase their lead in the 68th minute through an angled low shot by Jason Camilleri following a personal effort.

In the 75th minute Siggiewi got a third goal through a low shot by substitute Harun Ahmed Muhamed and from then onwards Siggiewi controlled the match in the midfield sector with the Saints failing to create any dangerous opportunities.

Referee: Jude Utulu.

Gudja-Mdina K 2-0

After just a few seconds Mdina were denied by Gudja’s custodian Matthew Xerxen off a shot by Andrew Catania but in the 2nd minute Gudja were given a penalty for a foul on Emerson Vella with Trevor Thomas duly converting to give Gudja the lead.

Then Gudja were again close through Aaron Guazzo who shot just high over the bar from close-range with Mdina gradually gaining the initiative and were denied on 21 minutes by Matthew Xerxen off a Nicholas Micallef direct free-kick.

Mdina continued to push forward and were again very close as efforts by Micallef and Joe Debono were saved by the Gudja keeper.

After the change of ends Gudja dictated the run of play in the initial stages and twice were close early on through Emerson Vella and Trevor Thomas.

In the 70th minute Thomas missed a sitter following good work by Peter Paul Sammut and in the 81st minute van attempt by Aaron Guazzo was well saved by Mdina’s keeper Chris Cini.

Despite Mdina’s late efforts, it was Gudja who managed to score a second goal in injury time through Peter Paul Sammut following a pass by Kalenga.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.