Swallows maintain charge at the top

St Andrew's 0
Dingli Swallows 4

Dingli confirmed their promotion ambitions after soundly beating St Andrew's to retain maximum points from three matches.

It took Dingli 13 minutes to open the score, through Alex Portelli. Two minutes later Roderick Farrugia made it 2-0 and the Swallows never looked back.

St Andrew's had a Jonathan Sant shot hitting the Dingli post but nine minutes after the restart it was 3-0 following a lob by Etienne Farrugia.

Nine minutes from time Chris Ciappara, who had just come in as a substitute, sealed Dingli's win with a delicate chip of the ball.

St Andrew's: R. Cini, N. Chetcuti, J. Gatt Coleiro, J. Sank, S. Falzon, A. Galea (R. Fenech), D. Spiteri, (P. Briscoe White), J. Sant (Ad. Galea), B. Chetcuti, I. Borg, N. Micallef.

Dingli: M. Abela, A. Portelli (E. Casha) B. Genovese, F. Cauchi, R. Spiteri, R. Farrugia (C. Ciappara), J. Zammit (J. Sapiano) V. Fiteni, J. Agius, J. Cachia, E. Farrugia.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

Zebbug Rangers 0
Gudja United 0

Although Zebbug Rangers attacked for long stretches throughout the match, they failed to pierce the solid Gudja defensive barrier and ultimately had to settle for a second successive draw after the 2-2 result of last Thursday against Melita.

Gudja keeper Glen Zammit made two fine saves early on to deny George Saliba. Errol Cachia then hit just wide from inside the Gudja box.

Zebbug continued to increase the pressure with Zammit again in action in the 34th minute to stop a Rodney Bugeja volley. Five minutes later Gudja almost took the lead as Chris Grech's effort bounced off the upright .

Zammit's fine show continued after the break. On one occasion he did well to hold out another Cachia shot. Late in the match Cachia tried to beat Zammit from the distance but his efforts proved futile.

Zebbug: P. Attard, J. Mallia, K. Xuereb, R. Ellul, K. Farrugia, R. Bugeja, J. Felice, C. Borg, E. Sciberras (M. Ciantar), E. Cachia (G. Mock), G. Saliba.

Gudja: G. Zammit, D. Lia, R. Micallef, J. Farrugia, M. Spacey, E. Bugeja, C. Grech, E. Gauci (J. Spiteri), J. Micallef, C. Scicluna (J. Zammit), L. Falzon (C. Micallef).

Referee: Esther Farrugia.

Birzebbuga St Peter's 1
Mellieha 0

Birzebbuga recovered from their upset to Dingli after lowering the Mellieha colours with a late goal scored by veteran Aldrin Muscat.

Mellieha had a glaring opportunity to open the score after only three minutes but Wayne Borg St John missed his chance and in the 14th minute a Matthew Borg header was saved by Ludvic Fardell.

Mellieha continued to go forward and were again close through David Cauchi and David Fenech. But three minutes before half-time keeper David Vella came to the northerners' rescue when he parried a Jason Cassar shot from point-blank distance.

Birzebbuga played better after the break even though the initiatives of Vince Camilleri and Muscat were somehow controlled by the Mellieha defence.

However, 11 minutes from time Muscat found space to meet a James Galea cross to hit home the winning goal.

Birzebbuga: L. Fardell, K. Farrugia, J.P. Barbara (R. Farrugia), D. Baldacchino, L. Burke, M. Ciappara, J. Galea, P. Muscat, A. Muscat, V. Camilleri, J. Cassar.

Mellieha: D. Vella, F. Vella, W. Borg, K. Spiteri, D. Fenech, W. Borg St John, R. Vella, C. Borg, M. Borg, Matt. Borg (H. Vella), D. Cauchi (P. Vella).

Referee: Sammy Attard.

Sta Venera 3
Rabat Ajax 0

This was a match between two promoted teams last season.

The points were convincingly won by Sta Venera even though Rabat enjoyed more possession of the ball. Sta Venera defended diligently and were very effective in their counter-attacks.

Balance was broken on 42 minutes when substitute Clayton Garzia, a replacement for the injured Stephen Said, released David Azzopardi who banged home from routine distance.

Rabat pressed forward in search of an equaliser after the break with Sta Venera Rapinett foiling them after attempts at goal by Adam Smeir and Kayne Said.

But, the Lightnings struck five minutes from time when Mark Grech made it 2-0 from a swift counter-attack.

Sta Venera were then awarded a penalty when Grech was fouled by Rabat keeper Jonathan Azzopardi who was sent off. Garzia completed a fine day for him and his side by scoring from the spot.

Sta Venera: S. Rapinett, L. Stivala, M. Muscat, R. Farrugia, Y.M. Law, D. Bonnici (B. Micallef), G. Micallef, A. Hili (D. Mercieca), S. Said (C. Garzia), D. Azzopardi, M. Grech.

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, D. Falzon, J. Bezzina, J. Tonna, P. Ciantar, C. Schembri (J. Caruana), A. Zahra, E. Muscat, K. Said (J. Borg), K. Micallef (C. Muscat), A. Smeir.

Referee: Mario Apap.