The first period was played in strong windy conditions with the wing behind Rabat’s back who dictated the proceedings for long stretches.

In the 13th minute Rabat were close as a shot by Joseph Caruana just missed the target and seven minutes later Emeka Basil Onuta missed a goal scoring opportunity as he shot wide from a good position following good work by Ryan Micallef.

They continued to push forward with the Corinthians constrained at the back and on 28 minutes a Smeir corner-kick was headed just high over the bar by Emeka Basil Onuta.

Just before the break the Corinthians’ keeper Ranier Farrugia saved off a long-range shot by Christian Muscat and then a Smeir corner-kick was headed just wide by Yessous Camilleri.

An incident to referee Sammy Attard at half-time meant that the second period commenced 15 minutes late.

Although Zejtun now had the wind advantage, Rabat managed to share the exchanges and had the best opportunities.

After ten minutes Rabat could have taken the lead but a strong shot by Ryan Micallef was well saved by Ranier Farrugia. A minute later Zejtun had a shot by Oldi Majtara which finished just wide and then they were again very close through two Edward Azzopardi free-kicks.

In a counter-attack Rabat had a shot by Emeka Basil Onuta which was blocked by a Zejtun defender and in the 72nd minute a Yessous Camilleri free-kick was saved by the Zejtun custodian.

Seven minutes later Rabat were unlucky as a shot by Camilleri hit the upright and in the 89th minute they were again close through Onuta.

Three minutes into injury-time Zejtun won a free-kick which was taken by Vince Camilleri and Jason Cachia’s header just missed the target.

This result means that Zejtun have retained the top position in the league standings.

Referee: Sammy Attard/Jude Utulu.

Mellieha SC-Senglea Ath 2-2

Mellieha did the attacking during throughout the first period and early on a Nikolay Filipov free-kick was well saved by the Senglea custodian George Attard.

Then Kevin Gauci shot just wide and in the 19th minute a Philip Taylor free-kick was blocked by a Senglea defender.

Mellieha increased the pressure and in the 22nd minute they were again denied by Attard off a shot by Connor Muchmore, the latter proving the cross in the 33rd minute which led to Mellieha’s opening goal headed in by Nikolay Filipov.

Five minutes before the break Senglea went close in a rare attack through Glen Brincat.

Five minutes after the restart Senglea were denied the equalizer through a brilliant save by Simon Gauci off a shot by Robert Adami and in the 58th minute the Mellieha keeper again did well to stop a shot by Ricardo Severino.

Senglea did find the net through Severino on 66 minutes but he was ruled to be in an offside position and the goal was annulled.

Mellieha replied through a good move between Connor Muchmore and Nikolay Filipov which ended with Kyle Simiana’s conclusion which finished high over the bar but in the 84th minute Senglea made it one-all through a Simon Aquilina direct free-kick.

Three minutes from time Mellieha scored through substitute Joseph Vella from a pass by Nikolay Filipov but in added time Senglea avoided defeat through Simoin Aquilina whose header went in past Mansueto for a 2-2 final scoreline

In the 94th minute a heated argument between Mellieha’s Joseph Vella and Senglea’s Julian Spiteri led to both players being sent off.

After the final whistle Mellieha’s defender Philip Taylor was also shown a red card for remarks made to referee Paul Apap.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Birzebbuga SP-Zebbug R. 2-1

Zebbug were a determined lot during the first period and were the better team as they were close on numerous occasions especially through their striker Timmy Thomas.

After just two minutes a Thomas crosshot was saved with difficulty by the Saints’ keeper Gabriel Mansuetio and then the same player was twice anticipated by the Saints’ keeper who had to come out of his goal.

In the 14th minute Thomas hit just wide after having exchanged the ball with Roderick Spiteri and four minutes later Birzebbuga had a lob by Ronnie Celeste which was blocked on the goal line by Rangers’ defender Victor Fiteni.

At the other end Zebbug had a Haruna Doda free-kick which just missed the target and in the 28th minute Timmy Thomas shot just wide from an angled position.

In the 31st minute Birzebbuga had a free-kick taken by Anton Florin and Denis Baldacchino headed just wide to lost a clear opportunity. In added time Birzebbuga took the lead through a Ronnie Celeste first-time shot to give his team a 1-0 half-team lead.

After the break, Birzebbuga gained the initiative and in the 56th minute they increased their lead through Matthew Borg as he took advantage from an indecision in the Rangers’ defence.

From then onwards Zebbug pressed forward and were twice very close through Haruna Doda and Timmy Thomas.

In the 85th minute Zebbug scored a beauty of a goal scored by Timmy Thomas from a cross by Victor Fiteni with the Saints replying through Matthew Borg who just just wide from a pass by Celeste.

In added time Zebbug had a point-blank shot which was saved by Mansueto and on another occasion George Saliba hit just high over the bar from close-range.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut.

Zurrieq FC- St Patrick FC 2-0

The Saints did most of the attacking throughout the first 45 minutes and after 17 minutes they won a corner-kick which was tasken by Jurgen Farrugia and Gordon Failla’s header was well saved by Reuben Debono.

In the 22nd minute a pass by Steve Dimech found Anthony Portelli unmarked infront of goal but the latter shot wide to lose an incredible opportunity and six minutes later Glen Barry concluded just high from close-range.

At the other end St Patrick defender Steve Dimech almost committed an own goal and in the 45th minute St Patrick’s striker Anthony Portelli missed another sitter following good work by Dylan Micallef.

Two minutes after vthe restart St Patrick were close as a shot by Anthony Portelli was deflected to a corner-kick.

In the 56th minute Saints’ midfielder Gordon Failla shot just high following a personal effort with Zurrieq responding two minutes later through Steve Azzopardi whose shot finished just wide following a personal effort.

In the 63rd minute Zurrieq’s midfield player Matthew Genuis crossed from the left flank and Steve Azzopardi managed to put Zurrieq into the lead as he headed in past Joshua Galea.

The Saints reacted and went close on a couple of occasions with Zurrieq wasting an incredible opportunity through listair Camilleri. However Zurrieq managed to seal the issue in the 87th minute as a good move by Steve Azzopardi was finished off by Alistair Camilleri.

Referee: Roberto Vella