Swallows consolidate lead with win over Lija

Dingli Swallows 1
Lija Athletic 0

Substitute Jonathan Sapiano was the match-winner as Dingli consolidated their position at the top of the standings following this victory over other promotion-seekers Lija Athletic.

Lija went charging in attack and Anthony Gera almost put them ahead but his shot was saved by Jeffrey Farrugia. On 29 minutes Lija striker Glen Barry missed an incredible opportunity and then a cross-shot by the same striker was punched away by the Dingli keeper.

Beppe Antignolo tested Farrugia from the distance and Dingli's Chris Ciappara failed to score from a good position on 37 minutes.

Balance prevailed after the break as both sides were finding it hard to carve a breakthrough. Jeremy Agius could have done better on one occasion in the Lija box. Farrugia then stopped a Gera effort.

With the match heading for a goalless draw, Dingli stunned Lija after scoring the all-important goal in added time. Etienne Farrugia provided the pass for Sapiano to beat Bonnici from close in.

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

Lija: L. Bonnici, J. Cauchi, E. Azzopardi (D. Cremona), M. Mangion, C. Ciantar (B. Deguara), D. Scerri, G. Barry, N. Gatt, B. Lowell, A. Gera (A. Pendry), B. Antignolo.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

St Andrews 0
Rabat Ajax 2

Rabat's second win of the season saw the Magpies moving away from the drop zone. They practically made sure of the points in the first half after goals by Joseph Caruana and Adam Smeir.

St Andrews had the first clear chance after 14 minutes. Patrick Briscoe White crossed for the unmarked Ian Borg but the latter shot wide from a good position. Two minutes later Rabat keeper Azzopardi blocked a shot by John Zammit and Borg tried his luck twice but with scant reward.

Rabat came to life on 30 minutes when Caruana unleashed a grounder that had the better of Tabone.

Late in the first half the Magpies doubled their lead with a gem of a goal scored by Smeir following some fine Keith Micallef work.

The Saints regained the initiative after the break but Rabat were the more menacing in front of goal.

A Smeir shot hit the bar and the same player shot just wide on another occasion.

St Andrews: F. Tabone, E. Hili, R. Fenech (J. Galea), S. Falzon, J. Briscoe White, J. Sant Fournier (A. Galea) J. Gatt Coleiro, P. Briscoe White, J. Zammit, I. Borg, J. Sank (B. Chetcuti).

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

Referee: Sammy Attard.

Melita 1
Mellieha 1

Melita and Mellieha returned home with a point each to stay in the top positions of the standings.

After only seven minutes William Borg failed to conclude at goal from a cross by Wayne Borg St John. Vella did well at the other end to stop shots from Matthew Borg I and Gregory Degabriele. Mellieha's Reuben Vella wasted an easy opportunity to put his side in front.

The ball was moving swiftly at both ends of the pitch. Melita had a Julian Galea shot going wide and a Michael Martin drive bouncing off the woodwork.

Two minutes before the break, Borg St John's delivery from a free-kick left keeper Briffa stranded as the northerners forged into the lead.

Melita hit back strongly after the restart deservedly drew level in the 70th minute with Matthew Borg I heading in from a corner.

After this goal both sides opted for prudence and seemed happy with a point each.

Melita: C. Briffa, J. Mifsud (M. Hyzler), M. Stivala (M. Mamo), D. Gravino, S. Bonnici, A. Briffa, J. Galea, M. Martin, M. Borg II, G. Degabriele (G. Naudi), M. Borg I.

Mellieha: D. Vella, W. Borg, W. Buttigieg (I. Tarik), K. Spiteri (L. Cauchi), K. Gauci, D. Fenech, W. Borg St John, R. Vella, H. Vella, M. Borg, C. Borg.

Referee: Darren Calleja.

Sta Venera Lightnings 1
Gozo FC 1

Although Sta Venera laid siege on the Gozo FC goal, in the end they had to settle for a draw.

Sta Venera had an Andrew Hili effort going wide and a Clint Abela header cleared in time by Gozo's John Camilleri. Another header by Dylan Mercieca was saved by Samuel Micallef in the Gozo FC goal.

On 37 minutes Sta Venera were awarded a penalty for a foul by Brian Meilaq on Mark Grech. The latter's shot from the spot was partially saved by Micallef with David Azzopardi blasting high over the bar from the loose ball.

During the second half Sta Venera increased the pressure but the Gozitans held tight. In the 75th minute, John Camilleri put Gozo ahead against the run of play.

Nine minutes from time Gozo ended up with ten players when Peter Paul Buttigieg was sent off for a second caution and late in the game Micallef made a fine save to stop a Stephen Said free-kick.

Two minutes into injury-time the Lightnings drew level following a rising shot by substitute Clayton Garzia.

Sta Venera: S. Rapinett, R. Farrugia, L. Stivala, C. Abela, T.M. Law, D. Bonnici, G. Micallef, A. Hili (S. Said), D. Azzopardi (C. Garzia), D. Mercieca (I. Falzon), M. Grech.

Gozo FC: S. Micallef, D. Muscat, P.P. Buttigieg, M. Muscat, A. Briffa, S. Galea, B. Meilaq, S. Spiteri, J. Camilleri, E. Cordina, G. Cefai.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.