Żejtun suffer first defeat

Naxxar Lions 0
Rabat Ajax 1

Rabat won three useful points to go temporarily top of the standings, leaving Naxxar reeling after conceding a third defeat from seven outings.

In a lively opening, a Darren Falzon free-kick for Naxxar flashed wide and Rabat went close with a Justin Felice header that brushed against the upright. On 41 minutes, Rabat were unlucky when an Adam Smeir ball towards Felice was deflected against the bar.

After the change of ends, Rabat were denied by Kevin Agius who saved on William Borg while Naxxar replied with a Falzon shot that flew over the bar.

On 59 minutes, Rabat were down to 10 men when Daryl Falzon was sent off for a second bookable offence. Naxxar failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage as Adrian Fenech was also sent off soon after for dissent.

Rabat were then awarded a penalty for a foul by Mattia del Negro on Smeir but the latter was denied by keeper Agius.

Notwithstanding the missed opportunity, Rabat still succeeded in scoring the winner seven minutes from time. Smeir delivered a perfect ball to David Azzopardi who scored from an angle.

Naxxar went close to an equaliser on 87 minutes but David Cauchi’s inviting ball was missed by Darren Falzon.

Naxxar: K. Agius, J. Agius, K. Fenech, G. Camilleri (K. Farrugia), A. Fenech, A. Rocha da Silva (C. Pace), D. Falzon, V. Bellia, M. Del Negro, D. Cauchi, G. Magri (J. Zammit).

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, J. Tonna, J. Caruana, Y. Camilleri, J. Felice (A. Mifsud), A. Smeir, W. Borg, D. Falzon, C. Muscat, R. Micallef (N. Caruana), D. Azzopardi.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Żejtun Corinthians 0
Żurrieq 2

Żurrieq staged a major upset last week as they moved off bottom place after beating promotion favourites Żejtun Corinthians.

This was the Reds’ first win of the season and the Corinthians’ first upset in over a year.

Żurrieq were unlucky early on when a shot by Ray Attard was punched against the bar by Żejtun keeper Ranier Farrugia.

The Corinthians hit back through Adrian Carabott. His shot was saved by Julian Azzopardi and, at the other end, Farrugia denied Klinsmann Grech with a timely stop.

Żejtun had a Charlo Magro header from a corner cleared off the goal line but on 26 minutes Żurrieq opened the score when Darren Bellizzi hit home from close in.

After the change of ends Żejtun increased the pressure. A headed attempt by Kenneth Vella was stopped by Azzopardi.

It was not Żejtun’s day, however, as a header by Jason Cachia hit the woodwork before Andy Portelli and Magro squandered two good chances for the Corinthians to equalise.

Żurrieq never wilted under the pressure and sealed their win on 82 minutes when a Josef Briffa cross was finished off by his brother Johan. Both Briffas had just come on as substitutes.

Żejtun’s misery was compounded on 88 minutes when Magro saw his penalty stopped by Azzopardi after Portelli was sent tumbling inside the box.

Żejtun: R. Farrugia, J. Cachia, V. Camilleri (K. Vassallo), P. Carabott, R. Cauchi (K. Abela), C. Magro, H. Schembri, S. Sciberras (C. Formosa), A. Portelli, A. Carabott, E. Azzopardi.

Żurrieq: J. Azzopardi, K. Sacco, A. Barbara, D. Bellizzi, D. Bonnici, J. Camilleri, M. Genuis (Joh. Briffa), S. Azzopardi, R. Attard, K. Grech, R. Vardaro (Jos. Briffa).

Referee: Roberto Vella.

Żebbuġ Rangers 0
Mellieħa 1

A second-half Fabiano Bassi goal was enough for Mellieħa to beat Żebbuġ and go top of the standings on 15 points.

The northerners dictated the proceedings in the initial stages only to be denied by Rangers keeper Martin Pace off attempts by Kevin Gauci and Bassi.

Mellieħa retained the initiative after the break and after seven minutes a Luke Cauchi free-kick was again stopped by Pace.

They were again close through Matthew Borg and Philip Taylor but on 65 minutes Mellieħa took a deserved lead when Bassi hit home after profiting from an indecision inside the opponents’ half.

Żebbuġ failed to react with Mellieħa wasting a clear opportunity late in the match through Borg.

Żebbuġ: M. Pace, K. Xuereb, V. Fiteni, J. Mercieca (J. Agius), G. Saliba, C. Caruana, M. Farrugia, G. Mallia, M. Deguara, O. Rababah (E. Sciberras), G. Scerri.

Mellieħa: S. Gauci, I. Sammut, M. Vella, A. Portelli, L. Cauchi, P. Taylor, J. Vella (K. Simiana), K. Gauci, F. Bassi (R. Filipov), N. Filipov, Matt. Borg (Mar. Borg).

Referee: Trustan Farrugia Cann.

Senglea Athletic 7
St Patrick 1

Senglea distanced themselves from the red zone in the standings by thumping St Patrick in a one-sided match.

The Saints were still in it at the end of the first half as Senglea only led 2-1 with goals from Simon Aquilina and Kevin Galea before Randal Cassar pulled one back for St Patrick.

But Senglea were in a league of their own after the break, scoring quick goals through Advan Cakiqi and Ricardo Severino to move 4-1 ahead by the 60th minute.

St Patrick were down and out and Senglea added three other goals for good measure thanks to Timmy Thomas (2) and Severino.

Senglea: G. Attard, E. Azzopardi, C. Borg, B. Zerafa (J. Spiteri), R. Adami, S. Aquilina, G. Tanti, K. Galea, A. Cakiqi (R. Tanti), R. Goncalves Severino (G. Brincat), T. Thomas.

St Patrick: F. Azzopardi, S. Dimech, D. Mamo (O. Mizzi), G. Saliba (D. Micallef), R. Cassar, I. Scicluna, S. Zerafa, C. Farrugia (M. Petrovic), A. Ellul, D. Pace, D. Gauci.

Referee: Paul Apap.