Rabat go top as Melita beat Balzan

Melita 3
Balzan Youths 1

Melita played their best match of the season as they dominated Balzan Youths for long stretches with Mark Hyzler and Julian Galea causing havoc in their opponents' half each time they ventured forward.

Melita are second and Balzan joint third as the race for promotion is getting tighter by the minute.

Melita did not take long to open the score and on seven minutes Galea hit home following a good move by Hyzler.

A Michael Martin grounder was saved by Bonello with Balzan's reaction producing a crosshot by Aaron Agius, that was cleared by Jonathan Mifsud, and a Kurt Coleiro shot saved by the alert Sapiano.

On 25 minutes Galea almost scored again and on another occasion Matthew Borg shot wide in front of an open Balzan goal.

Forty seconds into the second period Balzan drew level. They were awarded a penalty for a handling infringement by Melita defender Daniel Gravino. Coleiro made no mistake from the spot.

Balzan were again close through Coleiro and Antoine Sacco and a goal scored by Agius was disallowed for offside.

But, Melita regrouped to regain the lead on 54 minutes with another Galea goal.

Balzan looked down and out as Melita took control and were denied by Bonello off a shot by Hyzler. Balzan suffered another setback in the 68th minute when defender Sergio Cappitta was sent off for a second caution.

In the 75th minute, Melita sealed the issue with a third goal scored by Borg.

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

Balzan: B. Bonello, J. Agius, D. Agius, S. Cappitta, G. Scerri (N. Arpa), R. Farrugia (A. Sacco), A. Agius, K. Coleiro, M. Monreal (L. McKay), A. Lagana, S. Mizzi.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Rabat Ajax 3
Mgarr United 1

Rabat Ajax turned defeat into victory after scoring three second-half goal against relegation-troubled Mgarr.

The Magpies are now sole leaders in the standings on 40 points with three matches to go.

On 19 minutes Mgarr broke the deadlock when William Camilleri headed in from an Eric Sciberras corner.

Rabat reacted strongly but they lacked incisiveness in front of goal. They had to wait until the 62nd minute to draw level following a Clint Micallef goal after a good move by Emanuel Muscat.

Four minutes later Micallef put his team in front as Rabat pushed more men forward only to be denied by Mgarr keeper Kevin Ellul off attempts by Josef Tonna and Adam Smeir.

Rabat, however, made sure of the points five minutes from time with a third goal scored by Alan Zahra.

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

Mgarr: K. Ellul, A. Portelli, C. Attard, W. Camilleri (G. Said), C. Gauci, M. Borg, M. Muscat (B. Deguara), J. Borg, C. Abela (A. Wingfield), N. Busuttil, E. Sciberras.

Referee: Mitchell Scerri.

San Gwann 2
Zurrieq 1

San Gwann won three useful points in a difficult match against Zurrieq to enhance their promotion prospects. Zurrieq are still embroiled in the relegation tussle.

The Saints dictated the run of play during the first half and on 17 minutes a Keith Fabri free-kick finished just high over the bar.

In the 32nd minute Zurrieq were close as Matthew Genuis's free-kick was headed just wide by Godfrey Chetcuti. However, four minutes later Lee Cumbo put the Saints in front from a free-kick.

Zurrieq were not demoralised though and equalised on 36 minutes thanks to a well-taken Chetcuti goal.

San Gwann were stunned but just before the break they regained the lead with an Antoine Zahra goal.

The Reds tried hard to save the match after the interval but the Saints held control and Zahra almost scored again but hit just wide from close range.

In the 81st minute, a Joe Lia header was saved by Saints keeper Spiteri.

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

Zurrieq: J. Azzopardi, K. Sacco, J. Lia, J. Camilleri, E. Camilleri, D. Bonnici, M. Abdilla, C. Farrugia, D. Zammit (D. Bellizzi), M. Genuis, G. Chetcuti.

Referee: Mohammed Khalil.

Lija Athletic 0
Naxxar Lions 0

Naxxar should consider themselves unlucky not to have won this match as they hit the Lija woodwork twice during the first period.

Naxxar dictated the run of play early on and after six minutes they almost opened the score when a Kevin Naudi header was turned onto the post by Josuel Caruana.

Lija tried to hit back with Lydon Cilia leading their charge but Naudi fumbled an easy scoring chance at the other end of the pitch.

On 23 minutes, Adrian Fenech's volley bounced off the Lija bar and in the 37th minute Naxxar were denied by Caruana off a shot by Trevor Fenech. From the corner, taken by Jean Pierre Zahra, Mark Deguara headed wide in front of goal.

The second half saw Naxxar going close through Deguara and Kevin Fenech. Their shots were saved by keeper Caruana.

Lija could have grabbed the three points late on when a Cilia corner was cleared off the line by Naxxar's Andrew Catania.

Lija: J. Caruana, A. Cachia, M. Mangion, A. Ellul (M. Cremona), D. Scerri, D. Cremona (A. Scicluna), J.P. Scerri, L. Cilia, C. Ciantar, D. Mizzi (A. Medati), B. Antignolo.

Naxxar: B. Attard, M. Spiteri Gonzi, J.P. Zahra, R. Farrugia, A. Catania, A. Fenech, K. Naudi (C. Farrugia), M. Deguara, B. Farrugia (J. Grech, A.Bartolo), T. Fenech, K. Fenech.

Referee: Andrea Sciriha.

Division Three - Section 'A'

Qrendi 0
Zebbug Rangers 1

Numerous Zebbug Rangers supporters attended this match on Monday night to celebrate their team's return to Division Two. It was not easy though for Rangers as they had to fight hard for a minimal 1-0 victory over mid-table Qrendi.

Zebbug saw more of the ball in the opening half but Qrendi also had their opportunities. Rangers were close through Errol Cachia and Julian Camilleri and Qrendi replied with a Joe Farrugia shot that was saved by Pace.

On 25 minutes a powerful Lawrence Vella shot hit the bar and five minutes later Rangers were again unlucky when a Gordon Mallia shot from the distance hit the upright.

Paul Azzopardi should have done better for Zebbug soon after the restart and then Qrendi keeper Mascena rushed out of his goal to stop Vella from advancing.

Ten minutes from time, the Zebbug fans had good reason to celebrate as a Camilleri volley had the better of the Qrendi keeper for his side's winner.

Qrendi: R. Mascena, A. Mangion (A. Muscat), A. Abdilla, H. Jones, R. Galea, M. Camilleri, J. Farrugia, S. Sacco (L. Spiteri), J. Azzopardi (J. Mansueto), J. Mercieca, M. Briffa.

Zebbug: M. Pace, G. Saliba, R. Attard, G. Mallia, E. Cachia, E. Degabriele, J. Camilleri, T. Thomas (P. Azzopardi), F. Dingli, K. Farrugia, L. Vella (C. Borg).

Referee: Esther Azzopardi.

Mdina Knights 0
Attard 0

This was a balanced match with the two teams retaining their chances of qualifying for the play-offs.

Attard dictated the run of play during the first period but the second half belonged to the Knights for whom Ayrton Buhagiar and Andrew Scerri went close to opening the score.

Attard created an open chance late in the match but Firas Aboulezz fired wide.

Mdina: R. Sciberras, A. Vassallo (C. Caruana), T. Nader (L. Mercieca), G. Naudi, G. Camilleri, M. Paris, N. Micallef, J. Debono, A. Scerri (G. Frendo), A. Buhagiar, M. Francalanza.

Attard: O. Formosa, D. Haber, D. Agius, A. Agius, F. Cutajar, M. Cutajar, J. Axisa, J. Anastasi (K. Zahra), F. Aboulezz, F. Farrugia, C. Micallef.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut.

Xghajra Tornadoes 3
Fgura United 0

Xghajra were in form and finished worthy winners at Fgura's expense.

Brian Magro scored on 11 minutes but Xghajra had to wait until the 70th minute to make it 2-0 despite enjoying territorial supremacy. Lizio Grech hit home with an angled shot.

Victory was sealed six minutes from time with a Jesmond Azzopardi volley.

Xghajra: R. Camilleri, A. Muscat, F. Mizzi (M. Magro), M. Portelli, D. Axisa, B. Magro, A. Azzopardi, L. Grech (C. Cioffi), J. Azzopardi, J. Cachia (G. Micallef), N. Attard.

Fgura: R. Farrugia, I. Pace, J. Gauci (V. Testaferrata), I. Cassar, C. Ellul, R. Galea, M. Ellul, C. Garzia, C. Bordieri, M. Spiteri, C. Pace.

Referee: Jude Utulu.

Division Three - Section 'B'

Sta Lucija 0
Gzira United 1

Gzira managed to overcome Sta Lucija's stiff resistance through a Hashem Rhababh penalty two minutes from time. Five players were sent off during the second half, including four of Sta Lucija.

Hubert Gatt Bonello and Dylan Agius had good chances to score for promotion-seekers Gzira in the opening half but the Saints held tight until half-time.

The Maroons doubled their efforts after the interval.

In the 72nd minute, the Saints had Christian Curmi sent off for a second caution. In the 79th minute a second Saints' player, Clayton Goodrum, was red-carded and in the 86th minute the referee sent off Ian Cutajar (Sta Lucija) and Andre White (Gzira) following an off-the-ball incident.

Two minutes from time Gzira were awarded a penalty for a handling infringement by defender Sean Lee Falzon. Rhababh scored from the spot.

At the end of the match, yet another Saints' player, Charles Vassallo, was sent off for showing dissent to the match officials.

Sta Lucija: D. Carabott, C. Agius, S.L. Falzon, C. Vassallo, C. Cutajar, O. Magri, C. Curmi, R. Mangion, J. Grima, K. Grima (I. Cutajar), C. Goodrum.

Gzira: K. Camilleri, J. Tabone, A. White, A. Buttigieg, G. Mizzi, H. Gatt Bonello (N. Zarb Cousin), D. Agius, G. Farrugia (O. Spiteri), K. Bonello, A. Muscat, H. Rhababh.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Pembroke Athleta 1
Gozo FC 2

Gozo secured a decisive victory over Pembroke, scoring the winner with a last-gasp Anthony Portelli penalty. The Gozitans are now sure of the section honours and promotion.

Portelli was unlucky early on when his shot smacked against the bar.

Pembroke were showing brighter ideas but it was Gozo who took the lead on 42 minutes through Brian Meilaq. Just before the break, however, Liam Camilleri levelled matters for Pembroke.

The second period was rather dull with scoring opportunities being quite rare. However, in added time Gozo were awarded a dubious penalty for a foul on Portelli. The same player converted from the spot.

At the end of the match, Pembroke defender Mario Manicolo was sent off for passing comments to the referee.

Pembroke: R. Debattista, K. Vella, S. Micallef, T. Naudi (A. Farrugia), J. Scerri, J. Fenech, D. Bugeja (M. Sammut), M. Manicolo, L. Camilleri, C. Leonardi (K. Vella), A. Briffa.

Gozo: J. Xuereb, P. Buttigieg, C. Hili, B. Meilaq, J. Portelli, J. Attard, J. Camilleri, A. Portelli, J. Portelli (E. Portelli), J. Buttigieg, S.F. Bajada.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Luqa St Andrew's 3
Kirkop United 1

Luqa St Andrew's notched their fifth win of the season to move to a more comfortable mid-table position and leave Kirkop rock-bottom in the standings. They are without victory after 13 outings.

Mark Said put Luqa on their way with two fine goals inside the first six minutes of the match.

Kirkop tried to react but were denied by keeper John Agius off a point-blank shot by Jeffrey Axiaq.

Luqa were always in control though and after a series of missed chances, they managed to increase their lead with a 60th-minute Lee Baldacchino goal.

Alan Cacciattolo scored Kirkop's consolation goal 17 minutes from time.

Luqa: J. Agius, C. Psaila (M. Psaila), C. Penza, M. Dimech, L. Baldacchino, A. Pirrone, A. Psaila (N. Falzon), O. Cutajar (C. Caruana), M. Said, E. Cumbo, M. Caruana.

Kirkop: S. Cardona, J. Galea (C. Agius), B. Falzon, K. Buhagiar, M. Farrugia, A. Deidun, M. Theuma, A. Cacciattolo (J. Callus), A. Chan (M. Ciantar), D. Scicluna, J. Axiaq.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.