Gudja United 2
St Andrew’s 1
Gudja United turned defeat into victory in their game against St Andrew’s to join the same Saints and Melita on 19 points at the top.
It was Gudja’s first win in four league games but their second in the space of four days after their stunning victory over Tarxien in the FA Trophy third round.
St Andrew’s started well with Matteo Desira Buttigieg troubling the Gudja rearguard with his surging runs.
It was no surprise when the Saints moved ahead after five minutes.
After Gudja goalkeeper Matthew Xerxen saved Brian Said’s close-range header, Desira Buttigieg sped into the area before passing to Emiliano Lattes who fired home.
Gudja reacted immediately. Five minutes later, Adrian Carabott found Udo Nwoko unmarked but Jake Galea saved.
St Andrew’s had a golden opportunity to double their lead when Desira Buttigieg fed Grozev but his effort was stopped by Xerxen.
On 32 minutes, Gudja’s Carabott found Peter Paul Sammut whose effort was saved by Galea.
The Saints responded immediately as, from another counter-attack, Desira Buttigieg had the better of Xerxen but Sammut cleared off the line.
Gudja increased their pressure before half-time. They equalised in stoppage time when Angelo Catania rose well to head home from Mauro Brincat’s free-kick.
Early in the second half, St Andrew’s had an inviting chance to regain the lead but Grozev’s effort was neutralised by Xerxen.
It was on 62 minutes when Gudja scored what proved to be the winning goal, Sammut turning well to beat Galea after good work by Udo Nwoko.
The Saints tried hard to equalise but Gudja were now finding more space. Eleven minutes from time, Sammut found Catania who drove the ball high.
Towards the end, with the rain lashing down, Gudja’s Sammut, the game’s best player, was twice denied by Galea.
Gudja: M. Xerxen, G. Sammut (M. Groves), D. Antonucci (R. Cauchi), C. Giordemaina, E. Micheletti Awoh, M. Brincat, G. Chircop, A. Carabott, P.P. Sammut, U. Nwoko, A. Catania (S. Fall).
St Andrew’s: J. Galea, M. Johnson, M. Sehitaj, B. Said, J. Farrugia, D. Camilleri, M. Guillaumier (J. Walker), E. Lattes, T. Grozev, M. Desira Buttigieg (K. Nwoko), L. Busuttil.
Referee: Matthew Degabriele.
Man of the match: Peter Paul Sammut (Gudja).
Rabat Ajax 3
Pembroke Athleta 1
Rabat Ajax halted Pembroke’s five-match positive run to pick up three precious points in their bid to move away from the red zone.
This defeat prevented Pembroke from going top of the table.
Pembroke were the better side early on as Rabat goalkeeper Jamie Azzopardi kept out an effort from Andrew Agius before blocking on Lucky Omeruo who looked certain to score.
On nine minutes, Pembroke had an Ousmane Sidibe header finishing just wide with Ayrton Azzopardi doing likewise from a free-kick.
Pembroke continued to dictate matters but Rabat created their first chance on 28 minutes when Aidan Azzopardi hit wide.
Rabat took the lead on 39 minutes when a good one-two between Adam Smeir and Lawrence Chiedozie paved the way for Wayne Borg who drove home from inside the box.
In the second half, Pembroke were a more determined lot as they increased the pressure on Rabat.
On 51 minutes, the Rabat custodian saved Azzopardi’s screamer.
With Pembroke pushing forward, Rabat opted for a cautious approach but it was the former who again went close with a close-range Omeruo header that just missed the target.
On the hour, Azzopardi’s free-kick finished over the crossbar but Rabat doubled their advantage on 68 minutes thanks to Borg who beat Matthew Calleja Cremona with a perfect lob following a good pass from Smeir.
Pembroke did not lie down and moments later, Djemba Toure hit the crossbar before reducing the arrears with a fine header, from a corner action, 10 minutes from the end.
Eight minutes from time, Azzopardi foiled Omeruo but Rabat then sealed the issue when, in a swift counter-attack, Chiedozie scored with a low drive from just inside the area.
With three minutes left, Pembroke’s Glenn Azzopardi was sent off for foul language.
Rabat: J. Azzopardi, S. Gauci, W. Borg (C. Vella), J. Caruana, N. Caruana, A. Smeir, L. Cauchi (Z. Tanti), L. Chiedozie, E. Scicluna, D. Azzopardi, A. Azzopardi (S. Abela).
Pembroke: M. Calleja Cremona, C. Mamo, O. Sidibe, G. Azzopardi, A. Azzopardi, A. Agius, D. Sammut, A. Laudisi (D. Toure), G. Spiteri (L. Micallef), L. Omeruo, S. Arab (S. Hili).
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.
Man of the match: Wayne Borg (Rabat).
Standings
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Gudja Utd | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 23 | 10 | 19 |
| St Andrew’s | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 23 | 18 | 19 |
| Melita | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 12 | 19 |
| Lija Athletic | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 20 | 14 | 18 |
| Pembroke | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 20 | 12 | 17 |
| Vittoriosa | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 16 |
| St George’s | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 16 | 16 |
| Fgura Utd | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 14 |
| Mqabba | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 18 | 13 |
| Gżira Utd | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 16 | 13 |
| Rabat Ajax | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 16 | 11 |
| Żurrieq | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 19 | 10 |
| Msida SJ | 10 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 21 | 10 |
| Birżebbuġa | 10 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 29 | 2 |