Mellieha trounce Zurrieq

Zebbug Rangers 2
St Andrews 2

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This match inaugurated the 2003/04 championship with the final result reflecting a balanced match.

Division Two

The Saints had an encouraging start and after only ten minutes they broke the deadlock through Robert Gusman. In the 15th minute Rangers' goalkeeper Pace denied Ramon Mallia with a fine save.

After the restart, Zebbug appeared a determined lot. A Keith Farrugia inswinging corner-kick was cleared in time by Mallia but in the 55th minute the Rangers drew level, this time Farrugia scoring from a free-kick.

The referee then ordered a penalty for the Saints but changed his decision following consultations with his assistant. In the 85th minute Zebbug were awarded a penalty after a Micallef shot was handled by Junior Sank, who was sent off. The penalty was duly converted by Stefan Micallef.

A minute from time the Saints obtained a deserved equaliser when Gusman headed in a Mark Tabone cross.

Referee: Ian Miller.

Vittoriosa Stars 0
Zejtun Corinthians 0

Vittoriosa Stars were held to a goalless draw by a determined Zejtun side who defended stoutly throughout the 90 minutes.

Vittoriosa surged in attack in the first period but Zejtun's organised play made it hard for their opponents to penetrate.

During the second period Vittoriosa maintained the pressure and in the 66th minute they were unlucky not to score when Mark Ciantar's shot hit the post.

Referee: Edward Spiteri.

Mellieha 4
Zurrieq 1

Mellieha opened their league commitments in style, promising striker Wayne Borg St John scoring two of his side's goals.

The northerners forged ahead when Borg St John hit home from a rebound. In the 30th minute Mellieha increased their lead following a long-range shot by Mario Cutajar with Zurrieq goalkeeper Farrugia partly at fault here.

Zurrieq's reaction was weak as Mellieha twice were denied by Farrugia off efforts by Hubert Vella and Gordon Naudi.

In the 76th minute Mellieha increased their lead when Borg St John profited from an indecision inside the Zurrieq box. The Reds reduced the arrears five minutes from time through Robert Bajada but Adrian Galea made sure of the points with another goal for Mellieha.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

Xghajra Tornadoes 0
Gzira United 0

Although playing for more than an hour with a player less Xghajra still managed to hold on to gain a precious point from this encounter with Gzira United.

Gzira dictated matters with Xghajra 'keeper Carter saving well on various occasions. In the 23rd minute Xghajra ended up with ten players when Daniel Axisa was red-carded for a second booking.

Gzira pressed hard for a goal but Jason Tabone wasted an ideal occasion just before the break.

The Maroons maintained the initiative after the restart but with Carter in fine form there was little chance for them to strike the winning goal.

Referee: Frans Formosa.

Division Three

Sta Lucija 0
Birzebbuga St Peter's 2

The first match in this category saw Birzebbuga claiming all three points at stake.

On 12 minutes Neville Farrugia shot Birzebbuga ahead but despite their dominance they had to wait until the 55th minute to score again and secure the points when Larson Pace hit home after some fine work from Prendergast.

In the 65th minute an incident involving various players led to the sending-off of Quinton Mercieca (Sta Lucija) and Francis Cassar (Birzebbuga).

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Mgarr United 0
Ta' Xbiex 0

Ta' Xbiex showed the better football in this game but their forwards were well controlled by an organised Mgarr defence, with veteran goalkeeper Joe Muscat outstanding for his team.

After just two minutes Mgarr almost took the lead but newcomer Joe Pace, formerly of Msida, was denied by the opponents' goalkeeper.

Gradually, Ta' Xbiex started dictating the run of play. Kevin Pace and Jason Attard tried their luck but to no avail.

After the break, the seasiders increased the pressure only for the sturdy Mgarr rearguard and Muscat to keep Ta' Xbiex at bay.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Luqa St Andrews 1
Qormi 0

Luqa St Andrews pulled off the first surprise of the season by defeating promotion favourites Qormi who were handicapped by the early sending-off of Paul Ablett.

Qormi had the better start but their hopes suffered a severe blow after 14 minutes when Ablett was red-carded for a foul on Jason Cassar.

Their woes were compounded six minutes later when Randolph Penza scored what proved to be the winner.

Qormi tried to react but it was Luqa who went closest to scoring again from the various counter-breaks they launched with their opponents caught off balance.

Referee: Mariano Debono.

Sta Venera Lightnings 2
Gudja United 1

This was a deserved victory for Sta Venera but they had to work hard against worthy opponents Gudja United.

Jeffrey Zammit put the Saints ahead early on but nine minutes from the interval Gudja were awarded a penalty for a foul on Grech. Leslie Burke made it one-all from the spot.

Four minutes into the second period Gudja goalkeeper Xerxen saved well to deny Said but in the 74th minute he was beaten by a close range shot from Joseph Chetcuti.

Five minutes from time Sta Venera were awarded a penalty for a foul on Taliana but Zammit's shot from the spot hit the upright.

Referee: Paul Apap.