Mqabba ......................... 1
Lija A............................... 2

Mqabba: F. Tabone, M. Caruana, J. Micallef, A. Ferreira, K. Xuereb (G. Micallef 61'), I.A. Margarit (Y. Omuro 71'), J. Spiteri (D. Micallef 90'), P. Chimezie, N. Micallef, K. Magro, K. Camilleri.

Lija A: L. Bonnici, C.J. Cassar (M. Clinch 80'), L. Muscat, E. Beu, A. Borg, K. Seakanyeng (H. Wood 89'), C. Giordemaina, A. Galea (D. Scerri 82'), C. Gauci, A. White, M. Palomino.

Referee: Emanuel Grech

Scorers: John Micallef 24' (M), Erjon Beu 27', 85' pen (L)

Erjon Beu scored another brace for Lija who grabbed their second successive victory to go on top with maximum points. It was a hard earned victory in an intense match with Mqabba finishing empty handed and above all with only nine players on the field of play.

Lija were unlucky after barely two minutes play when Seakanyang's drive from close range smashed against the crossbar. On 24 minutes Mqabba took the lead from a corner action with defender John Micallef on the right spot to hammer home from close range.

But Mqabba's joy was shortlived as three minutes later Erjon Beu scored a majestic goal direct from a freekick. The same Beu had another chance five minutes from the break with another freekick from the danger zone, but this time his effort just missed the upright.

Fifteen minutes from time Mqabba were reduced to ten men when Kurt Magro receieved a second booking. Five minutes from time Erjon Beu won a penaltyas he was tackled by Kevin Camilleri who received a second booking leaving Mqabba with nine players.

From the penalty spot Erjon Beu made no mistake.

 

Żebbuġ R ........................ 2
Swieqi U. ......................... 1

Żebbuġ R: M. Grech, D. Fava, M. Del Negro, R. Zammit, S. Buhagiar, S. Nanapere, R. Cutajar (W. Borg 46'), M. Fagbeja (A. Williams 90'), C. Brincat, N. Ojuola, G. Gesualdi.

Swieqi U: E. Gatt, K. Sultana (L. Zammit 73'), A. Schembri Wismayer, F. Nunes Fernandes (T. Ayorinde 66'), S. Bugeja, M. Ivanovic, S. Ibrahim, M. Farrugia, G. Bugeja (K. Muscat 56'), J. Azzopardi, R. Taliana

Referee: Ezekiel Barbara

Scorers: Felipe Nunes Fernandes 10' (S), Muda Fagbeja 45', 75' (Z)

Zebbug Rangers grabbed the first victory of the season, beating Swieqi by the odd goal in three in an entertaining encounter.  Striker Muda Fagbeja was Zebbug's hero scoring two well taken goals to give his side three valuable points against a never say die Swieqi side.

Swieqi finished the match with ten players having substitute Luke Zammit sent off eight minutes from time. Swieqi had a good start taking an early lead through Nunes Fernandes from a corner action, with the same player going close again at the start of the second half, but this time his effort was blocked on the goal line by Ojuola.

Apart from Fagbeja who scored the decisive goals, Mattia Del Negro was outstanding for Zebbug having a say in both goals. Just before the end of the first half Del Negro passed towards Fagbeja who anticipated the goalkeeper's sortie before finishing from an acute angle, and fifteen minutes from time Del Negro flaoted a precise cross towards Fagbeja who headed magnificently home.