Derby joy for Balzan after 2-0 win

Lija Athletic 0
Balzan Youths 2

Balzan scored a goal in each half to beat neighbouring rivals Lija Athletic and keep their promotion charge.

The Youths took just five minutes to break the stalemate when Antoine Sacco headed the ball home from a Gilbert Scerri free-kick. Sacco almost struck again on 19 minutes but was denied by Lija keeper Luke Bonnici.

Lija came close to an equaliser minutes later but Michael Mangion's shot was cleared off the line by the Balzan defenders.

After the break, Balzan remained the better team and they finally doubled their lead on 63 minutes when Coleirio finished off a good move by Scerri.

Lija's response failed to arrive and Simon Mizzi and Coleiro almost added to Balzan's lead but their efforts were again cleared in time by the Lija defence.

Lija: L. Bonnici, E. Azzopardi, M. Mangion, A. Ellul, D. Scerri, J.P. Scerri, L. Cilia (C. Ciantar), H. Friggieri (M. Cremona), A. Medati (D. Cremona), A. Scicluna, B. Antignolo.

Balzan: S. Mintoff, D. Agius, S. Cappitta, G. Scerri, A. Agius (I. Bilocca), L. McKay (M. Monreal), K. Coleiro, A. Sacco (S. Mizzi), R. Mifsud, B. Pace, A. Lagana.

Referee: Joe Attard.

Rabat Ajax 3
Sirens 0

Rabat Ajax went on top of the Division Two standings after a comfortable victory over bottom side Sirens.

The Magpies are enjoying a one-point advantage over Melita and Balzan Youths, although the latter have a game in hand.

Rabat quickly took control of proceedings and after only 11 minutes Joseph Caruana was unlucky to see his shot hitting the upright.

Rabat scored on 26 minutes when Emanuel Muscat fired home from a Clint Micallef cross.

Sirens responded through an Adrian Galea free-kick that flew just over while at the other end Adam Smeir's effort came off the post.

Smeir finally hit the target on 41 minutes when he was well set up by Chris Schembri.

Rabat kept up the pressure after the break and Keith Micallef's shot just missed the target.

Rabat sealed the points on 73 minutes when Jonathan Bezzina took advantage of some hesitant Sirens defending to make it 3-0.

Sirens almost pulled a goal back late on when Adrian Galea's shot hit the Rabat woodwork.

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

Sirens: R. Schembri, K. Zammit, J. Mallia, C. Muscat, K. Galea (R. Bonett), A. Xuereb, Z. Galea, J. Mercieca, G. Galea (J. Xuereb), A. Galea, P. Barbara (G. Gatt).

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

San Gwann 1
Mgarr United 0

A second-half strike from Sergio Hili was enough for San Gwann to have the better of Mgarr and keep their promotion hopes alive.

It was Mgarr who created the better chances during the first half. San Gwann keeper Spiteri did well to turn over Daniel Schembri's free-kick and from the corner Matthew Borg headed just wide.

On 15 minutes, Schembri was unlucky to see his shot hit the bar.

On 32 minutes, San Gwann almost took the lead but Hili's shot was saved by goalkeeper Kevin Ellul.

On 54 minutes, Mgarr wasted a clear goal-scoring opportunity through Chris Abela. They paid dearly for this miss as on 67 minutes Hili rammed the ball home from close in.

Mgarr tried to recover but to no avail as the Saints held on to their lead.

San Gwann: J. Spiteri, K. Fabri, C. Giordemaina, R. Forace, A. Gatt, M. Mercieca (R. Zammit), A. Borg, R. Brincat (M. Borda), C. Gatt, A. Zahra (R. Micallef), S. Hili.

Mgarr: K. Ellul, J. Ebejer, W. Camilleri, D. Schembri, C. Gauci, M. Bugeja (C. Attard), C. Abela, M. Borg (E. Sciberras), M. Muscat (A. Portelli), J. Borg, N. Busuttil.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Naxxar Lions 0
Melita 1

This match seemed heading to a goalless draw but the Amateurs took all three points with a last-gasp goal to stay in the promotion race.

Naxxar dictated the run of play during the first half and early on were close from free-kicks by Jean Pierre Zahra and Kevin Fenech.

In the 24th minute Melita replied with a Bjorn Bondin cross-shot which was saved by Kevin Agius and two minutes later the Melita goalkeeper brought off a fine save to keep out Andrew Catania's grounder.

Five minutes before the break Mark Deguara went close for Naxxar but his effort just missed the target.

The Amateurs gained the initiative after the change of ends and on 69 minutes Mark Hyzler headed just wide from a cross by Julian Galea.

In the final stages, the Naxxar keeper blocked Michael Martin's long-range shot and three minutes from time Steve Bonnici hit just wide.

Melita struck the winner on 93 minutes. Luke Micallef fired home the rebound after Galea's shot was cleared off the line.

Naxxar: K. Agius, E. Cutajar, M. Spiteri Gonzi, B. Farrugia, J.P. Zahra, K. Fenech, A. Fenech, A. Catania, C. Farrugia, K. Caruana, M. Deguara.

Melita: M. Sapiano, J. Mifsud, M. Ellul (J. Vassallo), D. Gravino, S. Bonnici, B. Bondin (M. Martin), M. Hyzler (L. Micallef), M. Borg, J. Galea, G. Degabriele, K. Micallef.

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.