Msida S.J 0
Gzira U. 1
Gzira United confirmed their leading place in the table after coming out as winners from the derby match against Msida St Joseph, now having a total of 39 points.
Although both teams played well throughout the 90 minutes, none of the teams seriously threatened the other.
On the 19th minute, Ryan Deguara’s angled shot for Gzira was saved by Msida’s goalkeeper Jonathan Mallia.
At the other end, Ryan Xuereb’s free kick from a notable distance on the 24th minute was cleared by Gzira’s Rudi Alhinho Goncalves Giulete.
On the 57th minute Msida’s Fernando Donizeje De Andrade’s low shot was saved by Gzira’s goalkeeper Simon Agius.
Two minutes later, a free kick for Msida was partially saved by goalkeeper Agius, and from the rebound, Melvin Pisani’s low shot from within the area was once again saved Gzira’s goalkeeper.
Gzira achieved their win one minute from time when Luis Fernando Borges Coreia a Silva back heeled the ball into the corner of the net. So far, the Maroons have not yet suffered a loss this season.
Msida S.J.: J. Mallia, L. Cassar, M. Borda, M. Caruana, D. Attard, R. Xuereb (G. Refalo), M. Crupi (J. Paiva), M. Clarke, O. Zammit, M. Pisani (P. Sakchai). F. D. De Andrade
Gzira U.: S. Agius, S. Pace, A. Galea, K. Cassar, R.A. Goncalves Giulete (A. White), J. Hussey, Y. Tonna (A. Ewurum), S. Shead, R. Deguara, M. Cocks, L.F. Borges Coreia e Silva
Referee: Duncan Sultana
Senglea A. 1
Mellieha 4
Tiago Loquete’s and Giovanni Galea’s doubles gave Mellieha another three points from the match against the bottom team, joining Gudja United in second place.
The match was balanced during the first half with both sides pressurising the opponents. The second half produced more actions with two players being sent off.
On the 5th minute, Senglea took the lead by means of Philip Camilleri’s direct free kick. Tiago Loquete equalised for Mellieha on the 37th minute when he blasted an angled shot in the corner of the net.
On the 51st minute Mellieha doubled the score when goalkeeper Bartolo left his position and Giovanni Galea scored with a low angled shot.
The same player scored a third on the 62nd minute when he dribbled past Senglea’s defender Rennie Tanti and beat goalkeeper Bartolo with a rising central shot.
Mellieha’s goalkeeper Simon Galea was sent off on the 70th minute after committing a foul on Senglea’s John Roland Emeka.
However the free kick taken by Brady Zerafa ended high over the bar.
Mellieha’s fourth goal came on the 80th minute when Wayne Borg St John crossed in the direction of William Borg, over to Tiago Loquete who fired a central shot from close range.
On the 83rd minute, Senglea ended with ten players when captain Jovin Abela was shown a red card for fouling on Tiago Loquete.
Senglea A: B. Bartolo, B. Zerafa, M. Ciappara, R. Tanti, K. Galea (R. Degiorgio), J.P. Abdilla (C. Borg), J. Abela, D. Xuereb, P. Camilleri, J.R. Emeka, G. Brincat
Mellieha: S. Gauci, M. Vella, R. Perkins, L. Cauchi, P. Taylor, W. Borg, K. Fenech, W. Borg St John, T. Loquete (K. Simiana), G. Galea (J. Abela), Mario Calleja (M. Vella)
Referee: Paul Apap
Attard 1
Gudja 0
Bottom side Attard surprised promotion contenders Gudja when they triumphed in this encounter.
Attard were better than their opponents for the entire match, and for probably the first game this season, Gudja found it difficult to penetrate the opposing defence.
The best action in the first half came Gudja’s way 15 minutes from kickoff, when Guazzo’s direct freekick on target hit the crossbar.
The only goal of the match came after 51 minutes of play when from a cross by Galea, Mohamed Sansialtlesi tapped the ball at the back of the net with a low shot.
On 60 minutes, Gudja were close to equalising, when from a corner, Bugeja’s header skimmed the woodwork.
Attard: C. Cini, O. Tabone, D. Agius, A. Agius, D. Gauci, J. C. Cachia, D. Galea, R. Filipov, K. Zahra, D. Traykov, S. Mohammed (C. Farrugia)
Gudja: M. Xerxen, C. Galea (W. Camenzuli), E. Vella (E. Gauci), J. Tonna, M. Milutinovic, E. Bugeja, K. Bonello, A. Guazzo, A. Gjepali, P. P. Sammut, T. Thomas (C. Grech)
Referee: Luke Portelli
Zebbug 3
Siggiewi 0
Zebbug won their derby against neighbouring rivals Siggiewi, thus keeping the pace with the top five in the standings with a total of 24 points.
Siggiewi, who had not lost any of their last six outings, keep struggling in the middle of the table with 19 points.
Zebbug dominated the entire match, leaving little room for their adversaries to venture forward. They took the lead one minute before the break, when after a good run, Pereira da Mata chipped the ball to Malcolm Tirchett who tapped the ball at the back of the net.
Zebbug were awarded a penalty three minutes into the second half for handling in the area. From the spot, Uchenna Anyanwu hit home.
Zebbug sealed their three points 15 minutes from stoppage time, when after going past two defenders, Anyanwu crossed central towards Charlon Sammut who put the ball at the back of the net.
Zebbug: J. Mercieca, G. Mallia, M. Farrugia, J. Mercieca, R. Spiteri (D. D’Agostino), J. Alegbe, U. Anyanwu, S. Pereira Da Mata (D. Agius), M. Tirchett, A. Agius (C. Sammut), D. Caruana
Siggiewi: J. Vella, S. Delia, N. Galea, E. Cutajar, M. Bajada, E. Vella, K. Buhagiar, E. Bugeja, R. Farrugia (L. Attard), J. Camilleri, M. Camilleri
Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Zurrieq 1
St Venera 1
After losing their last two outings, Zurrieq managed to gain a point from their encounter against St Venera, in which the latter also missed a penalty, thus remaining in their previous positions on the grid with 15 and 18 points respectively.
Zurrieq, who had won the previous encounter between the two teams in the first round, were slightly better than their opponents. They were more offensive and created more scoring opportunities, an would have deserved the three points.
The best opportunity in the first half came ten minutes into the match, when Lia’s long-distance drive skimmed St Venera’s woodwork. On 22 minutes, Vukovic passed precisely towards Lia, whose shot was punched into a corner by custodian Cuschieri.
St Venera opened the scoring after 56 minutes of play, when Glenn Micallef’s header from a corner found the back of the net.
In the 62nd minute, St Venera were awarded a penalty for Babara’s foul on Mercieca in the area, but from the spot, Stefan Farrugia’s effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Zurrieq saved the match 15 minutes from time, when from a freekick by Lia, Darko Stojanovic’s header found the net.
Zurrieq: J. Aiden, D. Bonnici, A. Barbara, V. Micallef, N. Abdilla (A. Portelli), K. Sacco (C. Schembri), S. Vukovic, D. Stojanovic, J. Lia, S. Azzopardi (C. Schumba), A. Camilleri
St Venera: W. Cuschieri, S. Farrugia, M. Muscat, J. Onouhua, E. Muscat, G. Micallef, D. Calleja, D. Wingfield, J. Zammit (J. Taliana), R. Borg, D. Mercieca (C. Harris)
Referee: Stefan Pace
Gharghur 5
Kirkop United 2
Gharghur won this important match when they beat Kirkop United 5-2 with Trayo Grozev being their hero, scoring no less than four goals. With this win Gharghur kept their slim chances of promotion alive.
Kirkop couldn’thave started better when after just two minutes they took the lead thanks to a great free-kick by Ivan Stankovic.
Gharghur made a reaction and on the 16th minute missed a chance when Trayo Grozev shot wide from close range. They equalised on the 28th minute when Grozev beat Francica with a great shot. Gharghur took the lead ten minutes later when Grozev turned round a defender and beat Francica.
On the 50th minute Gharghur hit the post from a free-kick by Mark Gauci. Kirkop had a good chance to equalise when Bronwen Bugeja missed a chance from an ideal position.
Gharghur took advantage and scored the third goal a minute later when Grozev lobbed over Francica to achieve his hat-trick. He then scored the fourth goal four minutes later.
Kirkop pulled one back three minutes later when Matthew Pisani connected with a free-kick from Stankovic. Gharghur added another goal in the stoppage time thanks to substitute Iro Curmi.
Gharghur: G. Spiteri, L. Stivala, J. Debattista (R. Mifsud), R. Debattista, B. Perry Acton, C. Azzopardi, S. Iliev, B. Antignolo (I. Curmi), D. Kokavessis (C. Farrugia), M. Gauci, T. Grozev
Kirkop: C. Francica, B. Bugeja (M. Theuma), L. Cumbo, N. Tabone (R. Spina) (J.C Vella), B. Falzon, I. Stankovic, R. Kerekov, C. Farrugia, B. Farrugia, M. Pisani, M. Aquilina
Referee: Jude Amin Utulu
Luqa St Andrews 1
San Gwann 5
San Gwann continued with their positive run when they easily beat the Luqa side to extend their positive spell without defeat to ten games. This match was one sided with San Gwann scoring early to control the game. This was the sixth consecutive defeat for Luqa.
San Gwann took the lead after just five minutes when Ryan Sell received a good ball and after advancing, he buried the ball behind Gatt.
San Gwann had the chance to double on the 23rd minute but Francica shot over the bar. San Gwann were given a penalty when Ryan Zammit was fouled in the box by Mark Ciantar. Chris Pace made no mistake from the penalty spot.
On the 33rd minute a shot from Miguel Francica went out from a long distance. Two minutes later San Gwann scored the third goal when Ryan Zammit passed between two defenders and crossed in the middle where there was Chris Pace who tapped in easily.
On the 47th minute Carbonaro turned into a corner a free-kick from Failla. Six minutes later it was again Gordon Failla who pulled one back for Luqa.
San Gwann gained their three goal cushion a minute later when Chris Cacciatolo beat Gatt with a shot from short distance.
San Gwann had another chance on the 81st minute when Ryan Zammit shot a bit wide after a good personal action. Ryan Sell added another goal on the 89th minute after avoiding Gatt and another defender to finish in a practically empty net.
Luqa: J. Gatt, J. Fenech, T. Cauchi (G. Frendo) (W. Cushieri), M. Camilleri, C. Caruana (E. Catania), A. Abdilla, L. Baldacchino, J. Good, M. Ciantar, L. Vella,G. Failla
San Gwann: C. Carbonaro, K. Vella (M. Mercieca), M., Francica, D. Cosaitis, G. Agius, P. Xuereb (A. Borg), R. Sell, C. Pace (J. Borg), C. Cacciatolo, C. Cushieri, R. Zammit
Referee: Roberto Vella