Early on Birzebbuga were close to taking the lead but their striker Carlos Camenzuli was tackled by Naxxar’s defender Matthew Spiteri Gonzi before he could conclude at goal.

From then onwards it was Naxxar who dominated the proceedings and after going close through Glen Magri, they were then denied by the Birzebbuga keeper as he blocked a strong close-range shot by Andre Rocha Da Silva following a good move by John Debono.

Naxxar were again close through Darren Falzon and Gilbert Camilleri and then a point-blank effort by Victor Bellia was saved by Cardona.

However on 35 minutes Cardona was beaten for Naxxar’s first goal off a direct free-kick taken by Gilbert Camilleri.

In the 40th minute Gilbert Camilleri shot in past Cardona to increase his team’s lead following a cross by John Debono and in added time Naxxar made it 3-0 as Gilbert Camilleri notched his personal hat-trick.

A minute into the second period Naxxar were very close as a pass by Andre Rocha Da Silva was finished off by Gilbert Camilleri who shot just finished wide off the far post

In the 51st minute Naxxar Brazilian midfielder Andre Rocha Da Silva was fouled by Saints’ defender Bernard Farrugia with the referee pointing to the penalty spot The penalty was taken and scored by Andre Rocha Da Silva to make it 4-0.

In the 70th minute the Saints’ keeper saved partially off a shot by John Debono and Darren Falzon was on hand to shoot in from close range.

Nine minutes later Birzebbuga got their consolation goal through Ronnie Celeste but in the 84th minute Saints’ substitute Noel Tabone was sent off for retaliation.

In added time Naxxar wasted an open goal scoring opportunity through Gilbert Camilleri who shot high over the bar when all alone in front of goal.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri

Zebbug R-St Patrick FC 0-1

Zebbug Rangers dictated the run of play throughout the first half and after going quite close through Bjorn Chetcuti, they were then denied by the St Patrick keeper Joshua Galea off a free-kick taken by Roderick Spiteri.

In the 11th minute Rangers’ striker Mark Deguara, all alone in front of goal, shot straight into Galea to lose a clear opportunity and seven minutes later the St Patrick keeper again did well to stop a low strong shot by Timmy Thomas.

Gradually St Patrick shared the exchanges and were close through Matthew Xerri with Zebbug responding through Mark Deguara whose effort was saved by Galea.

In the 33rd minute Zebbug were close through a free-kick well taken by Haruna Doda with St,Patrick creating their best opportunity four minutes later as the Rangers’ keeper saved a point-blank shot by Glen Barry.

Five minutes before the end of the first-half, the Rangers’ striker Timmy Thomas advanced all alone but his shot was saved by Galea.

After the break Zebbug continued to create the better opportunities and after just a few seconds a cross by Mark Deguara was headed just wide by Timmy Thomas.

Then Zebbug were unlucky as an attempt by Mark Deguara was turned onto the post by Joshua Galea and on 50 minutes Jeremy Agius shot just wide. Zebbug continued to push forward with Timmy Thomas’ shot just missing the target as the Saints were denied by Vella off a grounder by David Mamo.

In the 64th minute Timmy Thomas missed a sitter as he shot wide when all alone in front of goal and five minutes later the Rangers’ midfielder Roderick Spiteri was cautioned for a second time and was sent off.

On 72 minutes the Saints broke the deadlock through a close-range effort by Glen Barry and two minutes later the post stopped a strong shot by Timmy Thomas.

Then late in the match Thomas was again very close as his point-blank effort was blocked by Joshua Galea.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Rabat Ajax-Zurrieq FC 2-0

After just five minutes Rabat could have taken the lead but his close-range shot was saved by Rueben Debono and then Yan Cauchi found Emeka Basil Onuta with an inch-perfect pass and the latter’s shot was cleared off the goal line by Zurrieq’s defender Karl Sacco.

On another occasion a shot by Smeir was saved by the Zurrieq keeper and in the 23rd minute a long-range effort by David Azzopardi just missed the target

In two swift counter-attacks, Zurrieq’s striker Alistair Camilleri fired shots which finished just wide with Rabat coming back through dangerous efforts byAdam Smeir and Chris Schembri which were saved with difficulty by the Zurrieq goalkeeper.

After the change of ends the Ajax remained the better team but in the 48th minute Zurrieq had a free-kick taken by Matthew Genuis which was cleared with difficulty by the Rabat defence.

However on 56 minutes Rabat broke the deadlock with Yessous Camilleri heading in past Rueben Debono from a cross by Adam Smeir.

Then a close-range effort by David Azzopardi was somehow blocked by Zurrieq’s defender Karl Sacco who avoided Rabat’s second goal.

Zurrieq tried to react but they were never dangerous wioth Rabat going close in the 80th minute as an effort by Yessous Camilleri was cleared with difficulty by the Zurrieq defence.

Then a Ryan Micallef cross-shot was saved by Debono but the latter was beaten in the 86th minute for Rabat’s second goal scored by Adam Smeir as he dribbled his way past the Zurrieq keeper before shooting into an empty net

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Zejtun C-Senglea Ath 0-0

The Corinthians gained the initiative during the first-half but in the initial stages failed to create any goal scoring opportunities with Senglea defending in a well organised manner.

In the 26th minute Zejtun could have broke the deadlock but Edward Azzopardi shot just high over the bar from the edge of the pernalty area.

At the other end Senglea went close through a Daniel Cosaitis free-kick with Zejtun replying on 36 minutes as ashot by Adrian Carabott was saved with difficulty by George Attard.

They then squandered a goal scoring opportunity through Andy Portelli whereas in the 43rd minute a free-kick taken by Edward Azzopardi was headed on by Adrian Carabott with the Senglea keeper bringing off a very difficult save.

After the change of ends the Corinthians sustained the pressure and on 55 minutes a pass by Adrian Carabott allow ed Carmel Formosa with a free chance but his shot was saved by George Attard.

Then they missed clear opportunities through Adrian Carabott and Carmel Formosa and on another occasion the Corinthians missed a glaring opportunity through Andy Portelli.

In the 65th minute Zejtun appeared to have scored in a rather confused action but an offside position was noted and the goal was annulled.

In the 73rd minute Senglea’s substitute Glenn Tanti was fouled in the penalty area with assistant referee Chris Francalanza drawing the attention of the referee about the infringement

The penalty was taken by Senglea’s foreign striker Ricardo Severino whose shot hit the post and was cleared by the Zejtun defence.

In the closing stages of the match Zejtun went close on various opportunities but were denied on many an occasion by the Senglea custodian George Attard, undoubtedly the man of the match.

Referee: Roberto Vella.