Naxxar Lions 3
Mqabba 0

Naxxar Lions easily disposed off Mqabba to maintain their promotion charge while the Reds have now been condemned to Division Two football next season.

The Lions, who are now just one point behind joint-leaders Lija and Vittoriosa, could have bagged a more pronounced victory had they been sharper in front of goal.

Anthony Ewurum should have put Naxxar ahead after five minutes but fired wide from close in while Anderson Ribeiro was denied by Mqabba goalkeeper Kris Calleja.

The Lions continued to pile up the pressure and on seven minutes they were unlucky when a Darren Falzon header was saved by Calleja with the aid of the crossbar.

Naxxar took the lead on 15 minutes when Falzon’s half volley gave the Mqabba custodian no chance.

Winston Muscat side came close again when Ribeiro header’s hit the bar.

Four minutes before the break an Angus Buhagiar cross-shot was deviated onto the bar by Calleja.

The Lions made it 2-0 on 55 minutes when Victor Bellia fired home from inside the box.

On 64 minutes Naxxar were awarded a penalty when Mark Psaila floored Ribeiro in the area and Andre Rocha da Silva sent Calleja the wrong way to make it 3-0.

Five minutes later Angus Buhagiar was unlucky when his shot came off the post as the Lions easily administered their advantage.

Naxxar: J. Azzopardi, L. Micallef (R. Cassar), J. Vella, K. Drago, S. Eboh, V. Bellia, A. Rocha Da Silva (J. Debono), D. Falzon, A. Ribeiro (M. Briffa), A. Buhagiar, A. Ewurun.

Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, C. Cutajar (A. Caligari), M. Psaila (K. Falzon), D. Bonnici (J.P. Muscat), M. Bonnici, C. Micallef, J. Achokwu, C. Calleja, D. Azzopardi, J. Okonkwo.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Man of the Match: Angus Buhagiar (Naxxar Lions).

Birżebbuġa 6
Gudja 0

Birzebbugia St Peter’s made a giant step towards retaining their Division One status for another season after crushing Gudja United with striker Vinicius Pereira dos Santos grabbing a hat-trick.

Patrick Curmi’s men are now six points clear of second-from-bottom Dingli Swallows and need just a point from their remaining matches against Gżira United and Mqabba to beat the drop.

Birżebbuġa struck after only 10 minutes when Kevin Borg’s shot was pushed away by Kurt Baldacchino and from the rebound Martin Deanov bundled the ball home.

Minutes later Birżebbuġa doubled their advantage when James Sammut’s firm drive from outside the penalty area flew into the net.

Gudja were stunned and on 24 minutes Ryan Sell’s long range effort just missed the Birżebbuġa goal.

Four minutes from the break Deanov almost grabbed his second but the Bulgarian midfielder saw his shot hitting the crossbar.

On resumption Birżebbuġa kept command of proceedings and made it 3-0 on 54 minutes when Deanov outpaced his marker to slid the ball past Baldacchino.

The Saints kept coming and on 73 minutes substitute Pereira Dos Santos beat Badacchino directly from a free-kick.

Birżebbuġa struck their fifth a minute from time when Pereira dos Santos’ grounder rolled into the net.

The Brazilian wrapped up his hat-trick in time added on.

Rio Micallef lobbed the ball over Baldacchino and Pereira Dos Santos nodded the ball into an empty net.

Birżebbuġa: I. Casha, R. Micallef, R. Mintoff, M. Hrubsa, J. Farrugia, K. Borg (R. Duca), J. Sammut (M. Rizzolo Brisolla), P. Camilleri, M. Mifsud, M. Deanov, T. dos Santos Mazitelli (V. Pereira dos Santos).

Gudja: K. Baldacchino, E. Vella (J. Mbita), R. Buhagiar, A. Abela, J. Tonna, D. Cachia, K. Azzopardi (K. Bonello), G. Chircop (R. Deba-ttista), R. Sell, A. Cosmin, E. Bugeja.

Referee: Stefan Pace.

Man of the match: Martin Deanov (Birżebbuġa).

Standings