Pembroke Athleta opened a two-point lead at the top of the BOV Division Two standings as rivals San Ġwann were held by Senglea Athletic. Fgura United climbed to second place after a comfortable victory over Mdina Knights.

Vojko Martinovic’s Pembroke thrashed Kirkop United 5-1 at the Luxol Stadium.

Adrian Galea (10) and Alex Ribic (33) gave Pembroke a two-goal lead.

Kirkop revived their hopes when Matthew Caruana made it 2-1 three minutes from half-time but Pembroke seized control after the break. They hit three goals in the space of eight minutes, Nicholas Zammit scoring a brace before Ribic sealed the points on 65 minutes.

San Ġwann and Senglea shared six goals in a thrilling clash at the Centenary Stadium.

Timmy Thomas put Senglea ahead after 17 minutes but San Ġwann overturned the deficit before half-time courtesy of goals from Alan Borg (21) and Bruno Ferraz do Amaral (45).

The Yellow-Reds fought back after the break as Thomas pulled them level on 55 minutes before James Obaje made it 3-2 for Senglea. Their joy was shortlived though as the Saints restored parity a minute later through Kurt Zahra.

San Ġwann have now been overtaken by Fgura in second place after the latter eased to a 3-0 win over Mdina Knights.

Joseph Okonkwo was Fgura’s hero as the Nigerian struck twice with the other goal coming from Josef Dalli.

Żabbar St Patrick lost ground with the league pacesetters after a 1-1 draw with Mqabba.

Mqabba took a 10th-minute lead through Didier Tayou but Żabbar managed to rescue a point when substitute Jean Claude Cesare levelled matters seven minutes from time.

Mellieħa moved up to sixth after a crushing 4-0 win over Siġġiewi.

After a goalless first half, David Cauchi gave Mellieħa the lead on 49 minutes before Gilbert Camilleri made it 2-0 soon after.

Daniel Saliba added a third on 67 minutes and Camilleri wrapped up Mellieħa’s win with a fourth goal on the stroke of time.

Dingli Swallows picked up their first win of the season after beating fellows in distress Marsaskala 2-0.

Leon Konda put the Swallows ahead before half-time and Daniel Cilia secured the three points with a second goal on 53 minutes.

Għargħur trounced Marsa 5-2.

Keith Darmanin gave Marsa a surprise lead after five minutes but from then on it was all Għargħur.

They netted four times without reply before half-time, their goals coming from Brandon Attard (18), Lydon Cilia (23, 44) and Matthew Buttigieg Desira (45).

Keith Fedele grabbed a fifth soon after the restart with Marsa pulling one back through Matthew Borg.

Marsa finished the match with 10 men after Joseph Rizzo was dismissed for kicking an opponent in stoppage time.