Late winner sees Mellieha through

Mellieha 4
Gharghur 3

Without doubt, this match ranks among the best so far this season with Mellieha scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner through an own-goal by Gharghur defender Matthew Coleiro. This was Mellieha's fourth consecutive victory which kept them challenging seriously at the top placings of the standings.

Mellieha settled down first but it was Gharghur who were close to taking the lead when a Karl Vella Petroni shot was blocked in time by Vella. Goalmouth action followed at both ends with the two sides looking to score first.

In the 36th minute Mellieha were unlucky when they hit the bar through Wayne Borg St John's header. But a minute before the break Gharghur took the lead through Vella Petroni from a corner.

Mellieha went surging forward in attack after the break. Borg St John drew the teams level on 56 minutes but Gharghur regained the lead a few minutes later with an Adrian Gatt acrobatic kick.

Mellieha never wilted though and three minutes later they were back in the game thanks to a Tarik goal from a penalty. Mellieha did not look back and 18 minutes from time Reuben Vella hit home from a free-kick to put his team 3-2 ahead.

Gharghur looked stunned but in the 90th minute David Cauchi committed an infringement inside the Mellieha box and from the penalty Vella Petroni made it three-all.

The drama was not over. Vella Petroni was involved in an incident with an opponent and was shown the red card. Three minutes into stoppage-time Mellieha scored the winner when Coleiro misjudged Debono's cross and deviated the ball inside his own net.

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

Dingli Swallows 7
Attard 0

As the scoreline clearly indicates Dingli trounced the luckless Attard with striker Jonathan Sapiano helping himself to a hat-trick.

Attard offered some resistance at first but their fort crumbled once they found themselves trailing to a 27th-minute Sapiano goal.

Three minutes later Stefan Farrugia scored again for Dingli from a free-kick.

The Swallows completely dominated their opponents after the break with Sapiano making it 3-0 after 55 minutes and two minutes later Bruce Genovese added a fourth goal from a Sapiano corner.

In the 67th minute Dingli were awarded a penalty for a foul on Etienne Farrugia but Farrugia's shot from the spot was saved by Spiteri.

On 70 minutes Sapiano scored his third goal of the day and late in the match Roderick Farrugia added two further goals for a incredible 7-0 final scoreline.

Referee: George Bitri.

Melita 4
Gozo FC 0

The Amateurs recovered from their setback to Gudja as they scored an emphatic win over the Gozitans with striker Edward Herrera scoring two late goals to make his team's victory even more pronounced.

Gozo shared the exchanges during the first half but were completely outclassed after the interval.

They could have opened the score through a Dione Lautier shot which was ably saved by Carter.

Charles Mercieca and Anthony Portelli both hit wide from good positions. Matthew Borg I almost broke the deadlock three minutes from half-time but in added time he put Melita ahead after scoring from a penalty.

Melita saw more of the ball following the change of ends and after wasting an easy chance through Degabriele, they increased their lead on 68 minutes thanks to Michael Martin's powerful drive.

The Gozitans were denied by Carter off a Mario Mifsud free-kick and Melita's Degabriele hit the upright following a quick break.

Six minutes from time Herrera made it 3-0 following a good move by Matthew Borg II and just before the final whistle he sealed Melita's victory with a goal from close in.

Referee: Juergen Spiteri.

Gudja United 0
Zebbug Rangers 1

Billy Mock's Rangers had to fight hard to stave off the challenge of Gudja and maintain their unbeaten record so far.

Gudja's Louis Falzon hit high over the bar early on but it was Zebbug who took the lead in the 25th minute through an excellent shot by Justin Felice.

Gudja had a Leslie Burke free-kick which was saved with difficulty by Mark Vella with Zebbug going quite close to increasing their lead when Gordon Mallia's header was turned onto the bar by Xerxen.

Gudja doubled up their efforts after the break and were unlucky that Burke's free-kick failed to find the net as it ricocheted against the bar.

In the 56th minute another well taken free-kick by Burke was splendidly saved by Mark Vella and on another occasion substitute striker Aldrin Muscat missed a sitter.

At the other end, Mark Ciantar went close for Rangers following a good move by Mallia. Keith Farrugia then failed to hit home from a good position. Mallia's 82nd-minute volley hit the woodwork with Gudja's late rally failing to produce concrete results.

Referee: Glen Tonna.

Division Three

Birzebbuga Sp 4
Ghaxaq 0

As expected, Birzebbuga won the three points at stake to climb to the top placing in the standings and condemn Ghaxaq to their fifth successive defeat.

Birzebbuga gained the initiative right from the kick-off and after wasting a couple of scoring chances they took the lead on 33 minutes when defender Dennis Baldacchino headed in from a Vince Camilleri corner. A minute before the break Ronnie Celeste doubled the seasiders' lead with a rasping shot from the six-yard box.

There was only one team on the pitch in the second half as Birzebbuga ran the show all by themselves. Celeste made it 3-0 on 59 minutes after profiting from an indecision inside the Ghaxaq defence and Noel Tabone rounded up the result for Birzebbuga three minutes from time.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Xghajra Tornadoes 0
Rabat Ajax 6

Rabat Ajax dominated this match, scoring six goals in the process to go top of the standings with Birzebbuga on 11 points from five matches.

The Magpies opened the scoring in the 18th minute through a penalty awarded for a foul on Jonathan Bezzina and converted by Adam Smeir.

Xghajra then went close through a Jonathan Cachia free-kick but on 33 minutes Emanuel Muscat made it 2-0. Just before the interval Smeir added another goal following a personal effort.

The second half was a mere formality. Rabat were in a class of their own and scored three other goals through Jonathan Bezzina (66th), Darren Galea (85th) and Alan Zahra (88th).

Referee: Roberto Buontempo.