Rangers-Gozo clash ends all-square

Żebbuġ Rangers 1
Gozo FC 1

This clash between two of the best sides in the championship ended all square with both teams creating various goal-scoring opportunities. The two teams remain unbeaten after four matches.

After just six minutes Rangers were denied by keeper Xuereb off a powerful Errol Cachia shot with the Gozitans replying on two occasions as dangerous attempts by John Camilleri and Brian Meliaq were neutralised by Martin Pace.

Żebbuġ took the lead on 32 minutes through Christian Tabone following an indecision by the Gozitan keeper.

Gozo FC looked better after the break and Rangers defender Brian Galea had to run back to clear the ball off the line and stop Rodney Buttigieg from scoring. But the Gozitans drew level on 54 minutes with a Joseph Portelli goal.

In the final stages, Gozo were denied by Galea off a conclusion by Charles Hili and then John Camilleri hit just wide following a fine solo effort.

Żebbuġ: M. Pace (D. Galea), G. Saliba, G. Mallia, B. Galea, K. Farrugia, J. Cilia, E. Cachia, M. Vella, C. Tabone, L. Vella (J. Galea), R. Micallef (D. Gatt).

Gozo FC: J. Xuereb, J. Cefai, J. Portelli (J. Vella), J. Camilleri, F. Galea (O. Farrugia), C. Mercieca, B. Meliaq, C. Hili, C. Bugeja, A. Portelli (R. Buttigieg), P.P. Buttigieg.

Referee: Thomas Debono.

Naxxar Lions 0
Mġarr United 0

This result left both teams still looking to score their first win of the season.

The initial stages of the match saw both teams going forward in search of an opening goal. Matthew Muscat and Josef Micallef went close for Mġarr and Naxxar hitting back with efforts from Andy Bartolo and Junior Sank.

On the half-hour, Naxxar keeper Vella did well to parry a Muscat shot and at the other end Adrian Fenech's effort was blocked in time by Mġarr defender Chris Gauci.

Naxxar were the better side during the second half. They had efforts from Joe Mercieca and Fenech going wide and on another occasion a Sank drive flew high over the bar.

In the late stages, the Naxxar keeper came to his side's rescue with two fine saves off a shot by Steve Aquilina and then to stop Simon Mizzi's drive.

Naxxar: D. Vella, K. Fenech, M. Deguara, A. Catania, A. Bartolo, J. Mercieca (A. Del Negro), J. Sank, K. Spiteri, M. Spiteri Gonzi, A. Fenech, J. Agius (M. Coleiro).

Mġarr: K. Ellul, C. Muscat, C. Bugeja, W. Camilleri, C. Gauci, S. Camilleri, M. Muscat (S. Aquilina), A. Portelli, J. Micallef, N. Busuttil (D. Muscat), S. Mizzi.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.