Rabat Ajax 1
St Patrick 2

St Patrick registered one of the biggest upsets of the season when they beat promotion favourites Rabat 2-1 in a thrilling match.

The Saints looked to be coasting to a 1-0 win when Rabat struck the equaliser in injury time. However, the Magpies’ joy was shortlived as the Żabbar outfit moved upfield to grab a dramatic winner.

St Patrick took the lead in their first attempt at goal after 11 minutes when Clayton Camilleri’s grounder gave Sean Mintoff no chance.

Rabat failed to react and on the contrary it was St Patrick who grew in stature and almost made it 2-0 on 36 minutes when an Evair Grech header was blocked off the line.

Rabat improved after the break and Joseph Caruana’s drive was cleared away by Grech.

On 72 minutes, St Patrick were very unlucky when a free-kick taken by Blendi Gockaj was slightly deflected onto the bar.

In stoppage time Rabat thought they had gained a point when Wayne Borg found Ryan Micallef who slotted home from close in.

But there was more drama to come as St Patrick scored a winner on 94 minutes. It was substitute Dion Fava who fired home from the edge of the area.

Rabat: S. Mintoff, C. Schembri, J. Cornforth, J. Caruana (W. Borg), A. Smeir, C. Muscat, V. Caushi, Y. Cauchi (R. Vassallo), R. Micallef, D. Azzopardi, C. Gauci.

St Patrick: J. Grech, E. Grech, M. Onourah (A. Ellul), R. Ceka (R. Vella), B. Gockaj, M. Vella, I. Scicluna (D. Fava), C. Camilleri, S. Spasov, J. Farrugia, A. Galea.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Man of the match: Blendi Gockay (St.Patrick)

Naxxar Lions 0
Vittoriosa Stars 3

Vittoriosa Stars were back to winning ways as they saw off Naxxar Lions by three clear goals to move three points clear of the relegation zone.

The Stars were off to a flier as they were already two goals up inside the first six minutes.

Gary Muir put them ahead with a fine volley following a Leighton Grech cross after five minutes.

A minute later, Muir struck again when this time his low drive had the better of goalkeeper Azzopardi.

Naxxar’s response produced a Hallison De Lima free-kick that was well blocked by Jean-Matthias Vella.

After the break, the Stars remained on top and on 72 minutes Pereira served Grech whose header was blocked by Naxxar goalkeeper Azzopardi.

Three minutes later, the Stars sealed the points when Pereira beat Azzopardi with a shot on the turn.

Vittoriosa ended the match with ten men when in stoppage time Muir was dismissed for dissent.

Naxxar: J. Azzopardi, J. Debono (M. Del Negro), A. Farrugia, U. Agboebina, R. Schembri, H. Sequeira, V. Bellia, L. Micallef, M. Maccari (A. Rocha Da Silva), D. Falzon, A. Attard.

Vittoriosa: J.M. Vella, L. Vella Critien, B. Bonnici, J. Spiteri (K.M. Robinson), G. Muir, R. Dos Santos, M. Pereira (J. Dalli), L. Lagana, A. Spiteri (L. Scerri), R. Brincat, L. Grech.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

Man of the match: Marcelo Pereira (Vittoriosa).