The first period was a balanced affair with Marsascala being unlucky early on as a shot by Matthew Gauci hit the post

Then Mtarfa wasted a glaring opportunity through Cleavon Mizzi with Marsascala replying through a shot by Matthew Gauci which was saved by James Borg.

At the other end Mtarfa just missed the target off two direct free-kicks taken by Roderick Sammut with Marsascala having a shot by Matthew Gauci which finished just high over the bar.

In the 44th minute Mtarfa opened the score through a close-range shot by Paul Fenech and in added time an effort by Warren Grima was cleared off the goal line.

After the change of ends Mtarfa dictated the run of play and in the 51st minute a close-range shot by Francesco Azzopardi was blocked by Marsascala’s keeper Renald Attard.

Then Attard saved ofdf a shot by Cleavon Mizzi and in the 75th minute the Marsascala keeper had to come out of his goal to anticipate Mtarfa’s striker Francesco Azzopardi.

In the 89th minute Mtarfa were denied by Attard off a shot by Francesco Azzopardi with Marsaskala replying through Matthew Gauci who shot just high over the bar.

Three minutes into added time the Marsaskala keeper brought off a fine save to deny Cleavon Mizzi.

Referee: Jude Utulu.

Swieqi U-St Lucia FC 1-0

Swieqi did the attacking throughout the first period and after just three minutes a shot by Eric Sciberras just missed the target.

Then a long-range shot by Michael Ciappara was saved by the Saints’ custodsian Jurgen Cilia, the latter again doing well on another occasion to deny John Debono.

Swieqi kept pushing forward with Fabian Debono losing a clear goal scoring opportunity off a cross by Eric Sciberras and just before the end of the first-half a cross by Francois Mizzi was headed just over the bar by John Debono.

After the break the match was more balanced with Swieqi going close on 57 minutes as an angled shot by Victor Kamara just missed the target.

At the other end the Saints had attempts by Jason Woodhead and Daikon Borg which just missed the target but in the 68th minute Swieqi took the lead as John Debono was fouled by Daikon Borg and Edward Vella with the referee pointing to the penalty spot as Edward Vella duly converted.

Santa Lucia failed to put in a decent reaction and just before the final whistle Swieqi missed a clear goal scoring opportunity through Stacey Vella.

Referee: Emanuel Grech.

Xghajra T-St Venera L 0-1

As expected St Venera Lightnings did the attacking throughout the first period and after eight minutes a good move by Mark Grech allowed Rudi Carbonaro to shoot from close-range with the Xghajra keeper Danny Scicluna bringing off a difficult save.

In the 10th minute Lightnings’ striker Dyl;an Mercieca shot just high over the bar and then Mark Grech wasted a clear goal scoring opportunity.

In the 15th minute Scicluna was again on hand to stop a Josef Taliana cross-shot and in the 28th minute the Xghajra keeper was again the protagonist with a superb save off a strong shot by Dylan Mercieca.

Minutes later Mercieca shot wide from a direct free-kick with Xghajra going close through Gordon Borg in the 40th minute.

Just before the break St Venera had a strong long-range effort by Jeffrey Zammit which just missed the target

After the resumption St Venera continued to push forward but in a rather confused manner to make it easy for the Xghajra defence.

In the 46th minute the Xghajra keeper saved partially off a shot by Rudi Carbonaro and the ball was picked up by Mark Grech who shot just wide.

Then Xghajra were twice close through attempts by Brian Magro and Neil Attard with the Lightnings replying through danherous shots by Rudi Carbonaro and Dalton Wingfield which just missed the target

In the 73rd minute Xghajra won a free-kick which was taken by Damian Damato with the ball being deflected and saved by Roderick Spiteri.

Then St Venera went close through Mark Grech and Dylan Mercieca and on another occasion they were unlucky as a strong shot by Josef Taliana hit the crossbar.

In the 90th minute Xghajra were denied by Spiteri off a conclusion by Gordon Borg but three minutes into injury-time a mistake by the Xghajra keeper allowed St Venera’s striker Dylan Mercieca to score the all-important goal.

Referee: Luke Portelli.

Section B

Ghaxaq FC-Gharghur FC 0-5

Gharghur dominated the first period and after eight minutes a free-kick taken by Alexander Ribic finished just wide.

They were then denied by Ludvic Fardell off a shot by Benjamin Perry Acton and in the 17th minute a free-kick taken by Beppe Pace hit the crossbar with Fardell completely beaten.

Gharghur increased the pressure and after being denied by the Ghaxaq keeper off a shot by Chris Vella, they finally managed to take a deserved lead in the 31st minute through an excellent free-kick taken by Alexander Ribic.

A minute before the break Gharghur increased their lead through an angled shot by Malcolm Tirchett following a personal effort

After the change of ends Gharghur sustained their dominance and in the 48th minute they made it 3-0 through a close-range shot by Benjamin Perry Acton.

Then Gharghur’s striker Ivan Ebejer scored two quick goals in the 55th and 61st minute toi make it 5-0 with play gradually resulting in the midfield sector.

Ten minutes from time Ghaxaq were unlucky as a shot by substitute Johan Zammit hit the crossbar.

Referee: Eren Yertseyer.