Lagana goal downs Rangers

Second Division

Vittoriosa Stars 2
Zebbug Rangers 1

A late Larry Lagana goal gave Vittoriosa Stars their third win of the season as they defeated the luckless Zebbug Rangers who had done enough during the match to earn at least a point.

The Rangers took the lead after just 50 seconds from a low Gordon Mallia drive following an inviting pass by Tristan Camilleri. It took Vittoriosa until the 54th minute to recover from that early setback when Kevin Ciantar headed in a Tony Cachia free-kick to make it 1-1.

Zebbug had their chances to regain the lead but five minutes into added time Lagana scored a dramatic winner for the Stars after hitting home from a Robert Adami cross.

Referee: Khaled Al Arby.

Zurrieq 1
Qormi 2

This was a deserved victory for Qormi who were the better team throughout the 90 minutes with Zurrieq suffering their third defeat from six matches.

Qormi dictated the run of play during the first period but had to wait until the first-half stoppage time to take the lead from a fine lob by substitute Steve Baldacchino after the Zurrieq defence had stopped for offside.

Qormi increased their lead in the 56th minute through Chris Ciappara following a misjudged back pass by Zurrieq's defender Franco Francalanza.

In the 87th minute Zurrieq reduced the arrears when Godfrey Chetcuti hit home following a through-pass by Mark Sultana who was sent off three minutes later after retaliating to a foul.

Referee: Frans Formosa.

Mellieha 3
Dingli Swallows 1

Mellieha obtained their second victory of the season on Monday when they defeated Dingli who are now in deep relegation trouble.

Dingli had a good start though, forging ahead after ten minutes when Jonathan Sapiano found the opponents' net from a quick Lawrence Vella free-kick. Mellieha dictated the run of play after the interval and were level on 68 minutes, Adrian Galea hitting home a loose ball after Wayne Borg St John had his effort blocked on the line.

Mellieha applied an extra gear but only scored the goals that mattered in the last three minutes thanks to Kevin Gambin and Galea, again, who headed home from a corner.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

Gzira United 3
Luqa St Andrew's 1

This was Gzira's best match of the season as they chalked up their second league win to move up in the table, leaving Luqa firmly rocked in the bottom standings.

After only six minutes Omar Zammit headed the Maroons in front but Luqa were soon on level terms thanks to a Pierre Bonnici lob from the edge of the box.

Ian Buhagiar hit the Luqa upright just before the break but they dominated the second half during which substitute Liam Vidal and Buhagiar scored two fine goals for Gzira who now stand on the six-point mark.

Referee: Ian Miller.

Third Division

Ta' Xbiex 0
Ghaxaq 1

Ghaxaq moved further up the standings after beating Ta' Xbiex despite playing with a man less for most of the match.

They showed the better ideas and took the lead in the 10th minute from a low Ray Sciberras drive after Jean Pierre Camilleri's cross came his way.

Seven minutes later Ghaxaq were reduced to ten players when Mark Spacey was sent off for dissent.

In the 37th minute Sciberras again went close for Ghaxaq but after the resumption Ta' Xbiex, still without a point, did all the attacking only for Ghaxaq to defend well for long stretches to win the points.

Referee: Juergen Spiteri.

Pembroke Athleta 3
Sirens 3

This was an exciting match with Pembroke going very close to scoring their first victory of the season after having led 3-1 with ten minutes to go.

However, two late goals helped Sirens to win a point and stay in touch with the front-runners.

Sirens broke the deadlock in the 36th minute through Emanuel Borg but Pembroke came back strongly with Trevor Naudi hitting just wide of the far post. Then they gained a penalty for a foul on Wilfred Brincat and Nicholas Aquilina made it 1-1 from the spot.

The second period proved to be an exciting affair with Carlo Leonardi putting Pembroke ahead in the 52nd minute and ten minutes later Duncan Edwards made it 3-1.

Pembroke had a shot by Leonardi which was cleared off the line by Grima but in the 80th minute Patrick Zammit pulled one back for Sirens and three minutes later a mistake in the Pembroke rearguard proved costly as Borg struck a late equaliser for the St Paul's Bay team.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Zejtun Corinthians 2
Gudja United 1

This was Zejtun's second victory from four matches as Gudja had a disappointing match especially during the second period during which they were outplayed for long stretches.

Gudja United took the lead after just two minutes when Charlo Debattista headed in from a Victor Gatt corner. Zejtun's reaction produced a Marco Gerada free-kick which hit the crossbar. Just before the break Gerada had better luck when he scored from the penalty spot to make it 1-1.

Zejtun kept the good work going after the restart when Kenneth Bonnici put the team ahead following a Gerada through-pass. This goal proved to be the winner as Gudja's reaction never arrived.

Referee: Mariano Debono.

Siggiewi 2
St George's 2

This was a just result which left St George's in the runners-up position, two points behind joint leaders Melita and Birzebbuga.

With Siggiewi taking too long to settle on the field of play, St George's took an early lead through Johan Spiteri. But on 32 minutes it was 1-1 when Roderick Farrugia concluded some fine Godfrey Camilleri work.

The early stages of the second period were dictated by Siggiewi who took the lead from an own-goal by Saints defender Emanuel Sevasta off Eman Ciappara's free-kick. St George's, however, deserved an equaliser which came late in the game after an excellent Keith Darmanin strike.

Referee: Juergen Spiteri.