A dramatic goal scored by Karl Saliba 4.1 seconds from the end gave Luxol St Andrew’s a dramatic 4-3 win over Valletta at the Corradino Sports Pavilion.

As the scoreline indicates, this was not an easy game for the Saints who were erratic in front of goal and found it hard against a determined City team.

Luxol’s goals came from a Saliba double, William Barbosa and Celino Alves.

For Valletta, Denis di Maio, Melvin Borg and Cedric Sciberras put their names on the scoresheet.

Balzan were also made to work hard to beat Qormi 6-4 and maintain their winning streak. After finding themselves a goal down, the champions reacted swiftly but found Qormi in great form as they blocked all avenues to their goal.

Albanian Blendi Gockaj was exceptional for Qormi. He started most of his team’s counter-attacks with the Balzan rearguard kept busy in the opening stages.

After Glenn Bonello’s equaliser, Balzan grew in confidence. They scored again immediately after the break and added two more goals to seal their win.

Boycho Marev and Nicola del Re hit the target twice and the other goal for Balzan was scored by Mark Zammit.

Qormi’s goals came from Gockaj (2), Diones Paulo Mendes da Silva and Darren Agius.

In another match, Swieqi saw off Gżira United 7-3 for their first win of the season.

Fredrick Johansson (hat-trick), Zvezdan Vukovic, Martin Sammut, Dario Zampa and Andrew Camilleri Kamsky were the goal-getters for the winners as Italians Alessio Restuccia (2) and Aurelio Burgio replied for the Maroons.

In the First Division, Lija Athletic maintained their march at the top after seeing off Attard 5-1.

This was the fourth consecutive victory for Lija while Attard suffered their first defeat.

Lija were deserved winners with Aleksandar Ribic scoring a brace.

Standings

Premier Division: Ħamrun, Balzan, Luxol 6; Swieqi, Żebbuġ 3; Mosta, Valletta, Qormi, Gżira 0.

First Division: Mellieħa, Lija 12; Naxxar 10; Luqa 9; Attard 5; Mqabba, Qrendi, Sirens 4; Msida, Siġġiewi 3, Mdina 1.