St Patrick 1

Melita 2

Melita staged a second half comeback to beat a 10-man gallant St Patrick side with the odd goal in three. Melita dominated the match but found in the Saints goalkeeper Jonathan Grech a hard nut to crack.

The Saints custodian played a brilliant match saving everything that came his way. St Patrick had a brilliant start forging ahead after only three minutes when Blendi Gockaj headed home after Melita goalkeeper Sapiano failed to grasp the ball.

Melita immediately pushed everything forward but goalkeeper Grech effected a string of impressive saves to keep his side in the lead. On the resumption however the St Patrick goalkeeper had to surrender when a long distance effort from George Gribbon completely deceived him with the ball finishing at the back of the net.

On the hour St Patrick were dealt a severe blow when Riger Ceks received a second booking and was sent off. Sixty seconds later Melita scored the winner when Julian Galea hammered home the rebound after another Grech save.

St Patrick failed to make a comeback with Melita going close to a third goal on several occasions, but Grech made a couple of brilliant saves to keep the score to a minimum.

St. Patrick – J. Grech, A. Ellul (J.R. Vella), M. Xerri, J. Farrugia, C. Camilleri, E. Grech, S. Zerafa, D. Fava, S. Spasov (M. Onorah), B. Gockaj (S. Agius), R. Ceka.

Melita – M. Sapiano, M. Sierra Camacho, G. Gribbon (D. Gravino), M. Martin, M. Borg, N. Baldacchino (T. Terpougoff), J. Galea, L. Micallef (G. Alario), K. Vella Petroni, S. Galea, J. Vukanic.

Referee – Andre Arciola.

Dingli S 0

Naxxar L 2

Naxxar moved to fifth in the table with a relatively easy win over relegation troubled Dingli Swallows. Striker Darren Falzon was the Lions’ hero as he scored both goals, one in each half.

Dingli were rather disappointing as Naxxar fully deserved their victory and the Swallows are still in deep relegation trouble. Dingli made their first effort on 13 minutes when Chris Azzopardi missed an easy chance following a Porcari shot.

A minute later Naxxar took the lead when Hallison Lima Siqueira crossed towards Andre Rocha Dos Santos who nodded towards Darren Falzon who slotted home from close range. Four minutes later Naxar goalkeeper Spiteri saved a Porcari header.

On 27 minutes Darren Falzon missed a sitter following another good pass from Rocha Dos Santos. On 33 minutes a Lima Siqueira scorcher slightly missed the upright and just before the break Spiteri saved a Rio Micallef shot.

On the resumption Leontiev Konda missed a great chance in front of goal and sixty seconds later the same player shot slightly wide from an ideal position.

Mid-way through the second half Naxar doubled the score when Andre Rocha Da Silva passed towards Darren Falzon who again made no mistake in front of goal to put the issue beyond doubt.

Dingli S - J. Farrugia, K. Pace, R. Micallef, P. Ciantar (J. Sapiano), L. Konda, K. Formosa, E. Farrugia, C. Porcari, R. Vella, R. Briffa, C. Azzopardi

Naxxar L. - J. Spiteri: A. Farrugia, L. Micallef, K. Drago, R. Schembri, H. De Lima Siqueira, J. Debono, M. Del Negro, M. Maccari (O. Agboebina), D. Falzon, A. Rocha Da Silva (K. Farrugia)

Referee - Mario Apap

Zejtun C 0

St. Andrew’s 1

Substitute Nicky Vella Petroni scored with the last shot of the match to give St Andrew’s a surprise win over promotion hopefuls Zejtun Corinthians.

It was a very disappointing match and more disappointing was Zejtun’s performance and result which now practically eliminates them from the promotion run.

Zejtun had more of the ball but failed to be dangerous in front of goal.

For the Saints Alhinho had a very good game and was a menace for the Zejtun rearguard.

The winning goal was scored on 93 minutes when substitute Nicky Vella Petroni beat Ranier Farrugia with the last shot of the match

St. Andrew’s – D. Balzan, R. Previ, B. Diacono, J. Bugeja, B. Said, A. Camilleri Kamsky, W. Camilleri (M. Hyzler), A. Nakua, A. Amato, V. Alhinho, M. Grima (N. Vella Petroni).

Zejtun C – R. Farrugia, A. Farrugia (G.Delia), C. Magro (K. Ganchev), E. Azzopardi (C. Formosa), J.C. Galea, K. Vassallo, J. Abela, N. Filipov, M. Borg, K. Abela, S. Magro.

Referee – Glenn Tonna

Vittoriosa S 1

Rabat A 1

Rabat Ajax scored an important equaliser nine minutes from time to snatch a point against the ever improving Vittoriosa Stars.

The result can be considered aa a positive one by the Magpies as the point earned puts them level on points with Melita on top of the First Division League, with both sides firm favourites to earn the two available promotion berths.

Rabat enjoyed territorial superiority in the opening stages but Vittoriosa took the lead half way through the first half when Leighton Grech nipped in to score from close range.

Rabat increased their efforts in the second period going near with Ryan Micallef and Adam Smeir. However Vittoriosa could have doubled the score but Leighton Grech was denied by a great Mintoff save.

Nine minutes from time Rabat were rewarded when Adam Smeir curled a precise freekick that finished at the back of the net.

Vittoriosa. S. J. M. Vella, B. Bonnici (J. Camilleri), M. Buttigieg, L. Vella Critien, R. Dos Santos, L. Scerri, A. Spiteri (J. Spiteri), R. Brincat, M. Pereria (J. Dalli), G. Muir, L. Grech

Rabat Ajax: S. Mintoff; C. Schembri, J. Caruana (J. Felice), A. Smeic, D. Falzon, C. Muscat, Y. Cauchi, R. Micallef, S. Gauci, D. Azzopardi (V. Caushi), C. Gauci

Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann