Msida 5

Senglea 0

The clash between the two bottom sides saw Msida take the three points home when they beat Senglea 5-0, thus returning to winning ways after losing their last three matches.

Msida opened the scoring on 28 minutes, when they were awarded a penalty. From the spot, Fernando Donizate de Andrade did not miss.

Msida doubled their lead one minute before the break thanks to Martin Curtis, who after receiving from Roderick Zammit, beat the opposing defence with a low shot.

The same Curtis made them three in the 62nd minute with a long-distance drive. Ten minutes from stoppage time, the referee awarded Msida their second penalty of the match, and from the spot, Ryan Xuereb hit home.

Just a few seconds before the final whistle, Mario Crupi sealed his side's win with a first-timer from an acute angle.

Senglea: B. Bartolo, B. Zerafa, R. Tanti, J. Abela, S. Calleja, T. Thomas, D. Grech, R. Micallef (R. Robabbah), G. Brincat (C. Caruana), J. R. Emeka, J. Buttigieg

Msida: J. Mallia, L. Cassar, R. Zammit (A. Rizzo Naudi), M. Clarke, O. Zammit, P. Sakchai, R. Xuereb, M. Caruana, M. Pisani (D. Attard), F. D. De Andrade, M. Curtis (M. Crupi)

Referee: Andre Arciola

Zebbug 0

Gzira 0

After having a difficult start this season, Zebbug's performances seem to be getting better each outing, and on Monday evening they managed to hold leaders Gzira to a goalless draw, where they played with numerical superiority for nearly 60 minutes.

On 35 minutes, Gzira were down to 10 men, when Jimmy Martin Hussey was sent off for retaliating.

The only action worthy of note in the first half came Zebbug's way in the 40th minute, when D'Agostino's shot from outside the area skimmed the woodwork.

The last opportunity of the match came 10 minutes before stoppage time, when Pereira da Mata's shot from the centre of the pitch was saved in style by goalkeeper Agius.

Gzira, who had not lost a point from their last five outings before this match, hold on to their spot at the summit of the table with 30 points, while Zebbug now find themselves in fourth place with 20 points.

Zebbug: R. Debono, M. Brincat, G. Mallia, D. Caruana, J. Mercieca, M. Farrugia (A. Agius), R. Spiteri, J. Alegbe, S. Pereira da Mata, M. Tirchett (J. Agius), D. D'Agostino (D. Agius)

Gzira: S. Agius, R. Deguara, S. Pace, A. White, A. Galea, R. G. Goncalves Alhinho, J. M. Hussey, K. Saliba, A. Ewurun, S. Shead (M. Cocks), Y. Tonna

Referee: Stefan Pace

Zurrieq 1

Mellieha 1

Mellieha failed to lift themselves into second place on the standings, when they were held to a one-all draw by Zurrieq. Mellieha thus remain in third place with 24 points, while Zurrieq keep battling for points in the lower end of the grid with 13 points.

Mellieha were slightly better than their opponents, where they created more scoring opportunities, especially in the second half.

The best action worthy of note in the first half came Mellieha's way 10 minutes into the match, when Loquete's powerful low shot from an acute angle went inches wide.

On 70 minutes, Vella's header on a freekick by Loquete was converted into a corner by goalkeeper Alden. Five minutes later, Calleja's powerful shot was saved in style by the custodian.

Zurrieq eventually opened the scoring eight minutes from time, when Johan Briffa’s shot from outside the area hit the post and ended at the back of the net, thus giving his side the three points.

Mellieha equalised a few seconds from time, when from a pass by Loquete, substitute Glen Magri tapped the ball into the back of the net.

Zurrieq: J. Alden, D. Bonnici, J. Lia, K. Sacco, A. Barbara, M. Gauci, Z. Vukovic, J. Briffa, N. Abdilla (S. Azzopardi), A. Portelli (C. Shumba), A. Camilleri

Mellieha: S. Gauci, M. Vella, D. Cauchi, W. Buttigieg (B. Bartolo), W. Borg (J. Vella), K. Gauci, K. Fenech, R.Perkins, M. Calleja, W. Borg St. John (G. Magri), T. Loquete

Referee: Luke Portelli

Siggiewi 2

Kirkop 3

After losing their last four outings, Kirkop returned to winning ways when they defeated Siggiewi 2-3, thus lifting themselves seventh on the grid with 16 points.

Siggiewi opened the scoring nine minutes into the match, when from a freekick by Ciappara, Darren Vella’s header found the corner of the net.

Noel Tabone scored Kirkop’s equaliser on 28 minutes thanks to a looping header.

In the 54th minute, Siggiewi took the lead again thanks to Roderick Farrugia who beat the goalkeeper with a powerful long-distance drive.

Yet nine minutes later, Kirkop reduced the deficit again when Rumen Kerekov’s direct freekick took Siggiewi's defence by surprise.

Ten minutes from stoppage time, Kirkop went in the lead for the first time, when Lee Combo's shot from an acute angle hit home.

Siggiewi: J. Vella, I. Darmanin, S. Delia, E. Vella, D. Vella, M. Camilleri, E. Ciappara (K. Buhagiar), B. Galea, R. Farrugia, J. Camilleri, J. Vassallo

Kirkop: C. Francica, C. Farrugia (J.C. Vella), L. Cumbo, A. Busuttil, A. Busuttil, P.P. Cassar, B. Falzon, I. Stankovic, R. Spina, R. Kerekov, M. Pisani, N. Tabone

Referee: Philip Farrugia

St Venera 2

Luqa SA 1

St Venera came from behind against Luqa to snatch a very important victory, their fourth this season. With the three points gained, the Lightnings moved above the same Luqa in the lower half of the table.

Luqa did the early running going close with an Abdilla shot that missed the target by inches and on 16 minutes they went close again with a Lawrence Vella effort.

On 22 minutes Luqa took a deserved lead when Lee Baldacchino beat a couple of defenders before beating St Venera goalkeeper Cuschieri.

But Luqa’s joy was shortlived as five minutes later St Venera were back on level terms when from a Stefan Farrugia cross, Rudi Carbonaro obtained the equaliser with a shot on the turn.

In the second half, the match was keenly contested with St Venera scoring the winner on 71 minutes when Stefan Farrugia scored direct from a freekick. The Lightnings finished the game with ten men when Andrew Hili was sent off on 88 minutes.

St Venera: W. Cuschieri, S. Farrugia, J. Onouha, M. Muscat, E. Muscat, A. Hili, M. Grech (J. Taliana), K. Cilia (D. Wingfield), R. Carbonaro, R. Borg, D. Mercieca (D. Calleja).

Luqa SA: P. Psaila, S. Costa Brazilino, A. Psaila, J. Good, A. Abdilla, C. Caruana, F. Cauchi, G. Frendo (M. Ciantar), L. Baldacchino, D. Agius, L. Vella.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant

Attard 2

San Gwann 2

Attard and San Gwann shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. It was an overall balanced match with Attard having to withstand heavy pressure for most of the game but their counter-attack proved to be their advantage.

Although San Gwann had most of the possesion, Attard were close to open the score when Carbonaro saved a shot from Sanssialtesi.

The first shot from San Gwann came on the 27th minute from Ryan Zammit but his shot was central and was saved by Ubberden.

San Gwann opened the score six minutes later. From a free-kick by Chris Cacciattolo, it was Miguel Francica who concluded after a header was saved by Ubberden.

San Gwann continued to pile the pressure and on the 36th minute Ryan Zammit recieved a good ball but his lob finished over the bar.

Attard levelled the match on the 42nd minute when a beautiful free-kick from Andrew Agius gave Carbonaro no chance. On the 45th minute a shot from Chris Cacciattolo went out.

Four minutes into the second half a shot from Shawn Vella went out. Attard took the lead on the 62nd minute when after a good counter attack Sanssialtesi headed to Kurt Zahra who advanced and beat Carbonaro with a powerful shot. San Gwann levelled the match seven minutes later when Christopher Cuschieri scored with a wonderful shot from outside the box that gave Ubberden no chance.

Attard: R. Ubberden, O. Tabone, D. Agius, A. Agius, D. Gauci, A. Lanzon, D. Galea, K. Zahra, M. Sanssialtlesi (J. Tashi), C. Farrugia (N. Spiteri), R. Pilipov (D. Traykov)

San Gwann: C. Carboanro, K. Vella, D. Cosaitis, M. Francica, M. Mercieca, P. Xuereb, C. Cuschieri (C. Pace), R. Zammit (A. Zahra), J. Borg, C. Cacciatolo, S. Vella (R. Attard)

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi

Gharghur 4

Gudja United 2

Gharghur inflicted a first defeat on Gudja after beating them 4-2 in a match characterised by four penalties given by referee Clayton Pisani. Although Gharghur scored three penalties they were the better team and deserved their win.

Gharghur opened the score on the 16th minute through Strati Iliev from a penalty. Three minutes later Gharghur hit the crossbar after a header from Trayo Grozev.

Gharghur were given their second penalty on the 29th minute after a foul on Trayo Grozev and Iliev scored his second goal. Gudja also were given a penalty six minutes later after a foul on Trevor Thomas. Former B’Kara player William Camenzuli converted from the spot.

On the 50th minute from a free-kick from Strati Iliev, Karl Azzopardi headed the ball but Xerxen saved the header. Seven minutes later Gharghur were given their third penalty after a foul on Iro Curmi. Iliev again took the responsibility and notched his hat-trick from the spot. Iliev scored his fourth goal four minutes later with a beautiful free-kick that left Xerxen staring. Gudja reduced the margin with a goal from close range by Marko Milutinovic.

Gharghur: D. Zarb, R. Debattista, R.M ifsud, H. Gatt Bonello, L. Stivala, K. Azzopardi, D. Mamo (C. Farrugia), S. Iliev, T. Grozev, J. Guno Dhanai (B. Perry Acton), I. Curmi (J. Debattista)

Gudja: M. Xerxen, J. Mallia (C. Galea), E. Vella, M. Milutinovic , J. Tonna, W. Camenzuli, K. Bonello (E. Gauci), D. Agius (C. Grech), E. Bugeja, P. Sammut, T. Thomas

Referee: Clayton Pisani