Qrendi-Swieqi U 3-1
Qrendi: D. Zarb, R. Mercieca, S. Schembri, J. Silveira Da Silva, J. Pereira, A. Agius, S. Perdomo (D. Zarb 87'), D. Micallef, L. Martinelli, L.J. Schembri (M. Farrugia 92'), C. Camilleri (G. Muscat 78').
Swieqi U: C. Abdilla, F. Lufi (R. Taliana 56'), M. Attard, A. Schembri Wismayer, C. Matombo, S. Ibrahim, M. Farrugia, L. Grech (M. Vella 71'), J. Willy (F. Fernando Nunes 58'), J. Azzopardi, D. Borg.
Referee: Slobodan Petrovic
Lee Joe schembri scored a first half hat-trick to keep Qrendi firmly in third place. It was not an easy victory for Qrendi against a spiritied Swieqi side which was let down by some slack defending.
Apart from Lee Joe Schembri who netted the three goals for Qrendi, Jose Pereira played an outstaning part in his side's victory, having a great say in the second goal and also winning the penalty that led to the third strike.
Swieqi had no answer at the back for his runs and Schembri's finishing. On the other hand Swieqi were menacing in attack with Salis Ibrahim and Chris Matombo having a very good match, and also splitting the Qrendi defence in the action of the equalising goal.
Qormi-Naxxar L 1-3
Qormi: J. Azzopardi, C. Farrugia (S. Seychell 75'), N. Borg, F. Gnindokponou (F. Fladby 46'), M. Borg, A. Bustos, R. Mandic, L. Farrugia, A. Cassar, N. Ghio, B. Schembri.
Naxxar L: O. Borg, J. Sciberras, M. Fenech, E. Cerqueira Farias, D. Falzon, G. Xuereb (N. Sciberras 89'), A. Azzopardi (J. Ellul 35'), R. Cassar, B. Essel, A. Bello Osagie (G. Martins Leite 35'), S. Meilak
Referee: Aleksander Jovanovic
Naxxar Lions bounced back in the second half to beat Qormi 3-1 and consolidate their placings among the top contenders. For Naxxar Edson Cerqueira Farias was the hero scoring a hat trick to lift his side.
In all fairness Qormi did not deserve to leave the pitch empty handed. They dominated for long stretches of the match, especially in the first half, but failed to add up to their only goal which they scored on 16 minutes.
They were made to pay for their missed chances as Naxxar turned the tide with two quick goals in the space of five minutes, and never looked back, scoring the third and final goal deep in stoppage time.
Pembroke A-Zejtun C 2-4
Pembroke A: P. Schranz, A. Vujovic, D. Isakovic (J.P. Oliveria Santos 46’), K. Frendo, K. Borg (M. Zarb 80’), J.P. Mifsud Triganza, G. Azzopardi (M.A. Borg 63’), Z. Grech, T. Fenech, L. Mijic, N. Frendo.
Żejtun C: C. Cassar, L. Cassar, A. Carabott, J. Ogunnupe, J. Suda (A. Mizzi 85’), M. Pereira (D. Agius 69’), B. Farrugia, C. Grech, R. de Fex (D. Sowatey 72’), N. Tabone, G. Azzopardi.
Referee: Ishmael Barbara
Zejtun’s nightmare came to an end yesterday when they defeated Pembroek 4-2 to consolidate their second position in the table. Zejtun failed to score in their last two outings against Qormi and Qtendi, but yeserday they came back to life, playing some good football and scoring four goals in the process.
For Pembroke this was an important test, probably a vital one in their quest to candidate themselves as promotion aspirants. However yesterday they failed miserably, and will now probably have to fight for third place, that could mean a promotion play-off.
Zejtun took an early lead but Mijic made it 1-1 on 26 minutes. However five minutes later ex-Pieta defender Christian Grech again put Zejtun in front. In the second half Zejtun added further goals through Rafael De Fex and Jurgen Suda with Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza scoring a consolation goal for Pembroke.
Lija A-St.George's 2-0
Lija A: L. Bonnici, C. Cassar, G. Bugeja (R. Fenech 73'), L. Muscat, D. Scerri, E. Beu, M. Clinch, K. Seakanyeng, C. Giordimaina, F. Temile (H. Wood 84'), C. Gauci.
St.George's: L. Mifsud, A. Hili, L. Bonett, D. Caruana, A. Mallia, B. Leute Dias (M. Uritani 70'), G. D'Amato, R. Villada Patino, G. Carabott (I. Camilleri Pirotta 55'), J. Grech, A. Marshall.
Referee: Sandro Spiteri
Lija's Albanian striker Erjon Beu is in the record books as he yesterday scored his 102nd goal to become the all-time top scorer of the First Division, beating Simon Shead's record of 101 goals.
Lija fully deserved their victory thanks to two first half goals, the opener from Beu and the second one from Seakanyeng, who was arguably the best player on the field of play.
Lija thus maintain their lead at the top of the standings and move closer to a return to the Premier League. For St. George's another disappointing afternoon as their relegation struggle becomes more difficult.
Lija took the lead on 16 minutes with Erjon Beu driving home from an angled position and on 37 minutes Seakanyeng scored the second with a well taken goal after a fast counter attack.
The Saints finished the match with ten players when striker Dylan Caruana received a second booking and will now miss the derby against Vittoriosa.
Mqabba-Fgura U 3-5
Mqabba: F. Tabone (J.M. Vella 73'), M. Caruana (B. Grech 31'), D. Micallef, A. Ferreira, K. Magro, J. Micallef, E. Sala (Y. Omuro 87'), G. Micallef, P. Chimezie, F. Zammit, K. Xuereb.
Fgura U: B. Bartolo, P. Chircop (S. Hili 66'), J. Stenson, J. Barbara, S. Abela (T. Grech 76'), D. Cartella (D. Quintero 86'), G. Martin, C. Gandini, J. Vella, A. Toncheff, G. Galea.
Referee: Ezekiel Barbara
Fgura United claimed the relegation clash, beating ten-man Mqabba after an eight goal thriller. Fgura appeared set for an easy victory taking a two-goal lead by the half way line, and Mqabba reduced to ten men.
But Mqabba had other ideas on the resumption making a good reaction and scored two quick goals to level matters. But Fgura regained the lead in Mqabba's best moment to secure three valuable points.
Toncheff put Fgura in front on eight minutes and Cartella doubled the score on 32 minutes. Just before the break Mqabba were reduced to ten men when Kurt Magro received a second booking.
At the start of the second half Mqabba scored two quick goals, but Fgura regained the lead through Sergio Hili. But two minutes later Mqabba won a penalty and Paul Chimezie made it 3-3. However late in the game Giovanni Galea and an own goal from Brandon Grech made it a 5-3 final scoreline.