St Andrew’s 1
St George’s 1

This was a result that favoured neither side as St Andrew’s, who secured promotion the week before, wanted to keep the pace with rivals Pembroke for the title while St George’s were eager to keep their play-off hopes alive.

St George’s could have taken an early lead but Mbono Chikwado took the wrong decision to release Brandon Muscat, who was offside, rather than trying the shot himself.

The Cospicua outfit forged ahead on the half hour when, after a quick counter-attack, Muscat slotted the ball past Jake Galea.

However, their joy was short-lived as before half-time Matteo Desira Buttigieg beat two defenders before ramming the ball home for the Saints’ equaliser.

On 55 minutes, Desira Buttigieg turned past his direct marker before setting up Trayo Grozev whose drive was deflected away for a corner by a defender.

St George’s could have regained the lead when Muscat floated a ball into the area but Chikwado’s effort was stopped by the keeper.

With eight minutes left, substitute keeper Nicholas Grima saved St Andrew’s when keeping out an Ojoula effort. Late on, St Andrew’s substitute Kieran Nwoko could have won it for his side but his shot rolled just wide.

St Andrew’s: J. Galea (N. Grima), N. Vella Petroni, M. Sehitaj, B. Said, M. Laferla, M. Guillaumier, J. Farrugia, N. Bradshaw (L. Busuttil), M. Desira Buttigieg (K. Nwoko), T. Grozev, E. Lattes.

St George’s: C. Carbonaro, L. Mallia, E. Amaira, M. Tanti, R. Tanti, B. Mbono Chikwado, D. Zerafa, M. Borg, N. Ojoula, R. Vella (O. Giordano), B. Muscat.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Man of the match: Daniel Zerafa (St George’s).

Pembroke Athleta 4
Żurrieq 1

Promoted Pembroke extended their run of form after inflicting a 4-1 defeat on Żurrieq who have been relegated to Division Two.

The first half produced a total of 13 corners with Pembroke dictating matters but Żurrieq refused to lie down.

After being denied by Żurrieq goalkeeper Jeremy Alden, the Division One high-fliers took the lead on 13 minutes thanks to Ariel Laudisi who dribbled his way through before hitting home.

Seven minutes from half-time, Żurrieq’s Aaron Agius fouled Siraj Arab in the box and Laudisi scored from the penalty spot to double Pembroke’s lead.

Pembroke made it 3-0 on 71 minutes when Abubakar Bello Osagie slotted home from close range after meeting Glenn Azzopardi’s cross.

Nine minutes from time, Pembroke increased their lead when Ayrton Azzopardi scored with a brilliant free-kick.

Żurrieq scored a late consolation when Pembroke’s Ousmane Sidibe floored Joseph Ogunnupe in the box and the Nigerian striker picked himself up to convert the penalty.

Pembroke: D. Balzan, C. Mamo (G. Spiteri), O. Sidibe, G. Azzopardi, A. Azzopardi (S. Magro), S. Arab (A. Agius), D. Sammut, A. Laudisi, L. Micallef, A. Bello Osagie, R. Bajada.

Żurrieq: J. Alden, A. Agius (R. Bonnici), K. Sacco, E. Sevasta, M. Borda (D. Bugeja), D. Darmanin, R. Bakare, M. Mifsud, J. Ogunnupe, M. Schembri, D. Zammit (J. Farrugia).

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Man of the match: A. Azzopardi (Pembroke).

Summaries

Lija Athletic 1
Rabat Ajax 3

Lija: L. Bonnici, M. Clinch, E. Beu (A. Cauchi), D. Mintoff (A. Galea), P. Babic, A. Caruana, I. McCarthy, B. Antignolo, A. Ige, K. Vella, M. Borg (C. Frendo).

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, N. Caruana, W. Borg (S. Cortis), J. Caruana, S. Gauci, B. Micallef, A. Smeir, D. Falzon, L. Chiedozie (N. Ciantar), E. Scicluna (A. Azzopardi), D. Azzopardi.

Referee: Martin Borg.

Scorers: Antignolo (L) 28; A. Azzopardi (R) 67; Borg (R) 69; Chiedozie (R) 83.

Man of the match: L. Chiedozie (Rabat Ajax).

Msida St Joseph 2
Gudja United 6

Msida: M. Camilleri, L. Cassar (R. Spiteri), G. Vella, S. Vella, K. Borg, D. Cachia, M. Caruana, I. Chircop (F. Zammit), R. Faria (C. Saliba), L.J. Agius, Z. Vukovic.

Gudja: Y. Cini, I. Galea, R. Cauchi (B. Saliba), C. Farrugia, N. Ghio, E. Micheletti Awoh, U. Nwoko, G. Chircop (R. Buhagiar), P.P. Sammut, J. Dos Reis Santos, A. Catania (W. Moodley).

Referee: Jude Amin Utulu.

Scorers: Sammut (G) 2, 71, 84; Catania (G) 6; Vella (M) 8; Vukovic (M) 21; Santos (G) 48; Saliba (G) 90.

Man of the match: P.P. Sammut (Gudja United).

Standings

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Pembroke	25	16	4	5	49	20	52
St Andrew’s	25	15	5	5	47	30	50
Melita	25	14	2	9	34	26	44
Gżira Utd	25	13	3	9	44	30	42
Gudja Utd	25	11	8	6	45	28	41
St George’s	25	11	8	6	41	33	41
Fgura Utd	25	10	10	5	31	27	40
Vittoriosa	25	11	5	9	44	42	38
Mqabba	25	10	6	9	40	34	36
Lija Athletic	25	11	2	12	40	42	35
Rabat Ajax	25	7	5	13	26	37	26
Żurrieq	25	5	4	16	24	44	19
Msida SJ	25	4	3	18	25	59	15
Birżebbuġa	25	3	3	19	25	63	12