Dingli Swallows 1
Mqabba 0

Senior David scored a late winner yesterday as Dingli registered their first points of the season.

Robert Magro’s team were worth their victory as they dictated matters for most of the match. Apart from a brief patch in the opening stages, where Mqabba had looked the better side, Dingli were in full control.

Mqabba went close early on when Peter Anizoba’s header was saved by Jeffrey Farrugia. But Dingli soon clicked into gear and a Leontiev Konda free-kick almost put them ahead on 18 minutes.

David should have done better from close range following a fine Konda-Lyden Micallef move as Kris Calleja denied him with a fine save.

Reuben Vella released David on 31 minutes but he drove the ball wide from a good position as a Konda effort was again stopped by the Mqabba keeper.

Dingli continued to show the better qualities but were unable to break through.

David beat a defender and goalkeeper Calleja on 35 minutes but delayed his conclusion with David Azzopardi rushing back to clear the danger.

As the second half got underway, an Azzopardi free-kick took a deflection off the Dingli wall but Farrugia was on the right spot to save.

Still, it was Dingli who continued to create the better chances only for Rio Micallef to see his shot saved by Calleja after an inviting ball by David.

Clayton Micallef almost put Mqabba ahead against the run of play when his free-kick came off the bar but eight minutes from time, Dingli scored the goal that mattered.

Calleja mistimed his sortie out of his box and David was on the right spot to head home.

Dingli: J. Farrugia, R. Briffa, L. Konda, R. Vella (A. Portelli), K. Formosa, S. David, B. Guga, E. Muscat (R. Micallef), E. Farrugia, E. Grech, L. Micallef (F. Cauchi).

Mqabba: K. Calleja, A. Scicluna, J. Anegbe, A. Caligari, D. Azzopardi, C. Camoin (M.A. Psaila), S. Spasov (A. Williams), M. Bonnici, C. Micallef, P. Anizoba, E. Lattes.

Referee: Philip Farrugia.

Man of the match: Senior David (Dingli Swallows).

Żejtun Corinthians 0
Naxxar Lions 1

Gilbert Camilleri’s stoppage-time goal did justice for Naxxar who dominated the game but could not find a way past a resilient Żejtun defensive line.

Camilleri had been on the pitch for barely four minutes when he ran into space to beat goalkeeper Ranier Farrugia with a shot from the distance.

Naxxar went close to breaking the stalemate in the opening minute when Anthony Ewurun and Andre Rocha Da Silva combined well to release Darren Falzon who drove the ball wide from close range.

Winston Muscat’s Naxxar were controlling matters in midfield with Victor Bellia, Da Silva and Del Negro winning every ball and Ewurun always dangerous upfront.

Angus Buhagiar’s shot finished just over the crossbar and minutes later, it was Del Negro who had his effort deflected by a defender.

Just before the break, Bellia found Ewurun unmarked in the box but hit the ball carelessly and another goalscoring opportunity went begging.

Naxxar protested for a penalty soon after the restart after Falzon was sent tumbling in the Żejtun box.

On the hour, an Ewurun header was blocked on the line by Edward Azzopardi and minutes later a Pablo Doffo free-kick found the head of Ewurun with the latter’s effort just missing the target.

Then it was Rocha Da Silva who tried his luck from the edge of the area but with scant reward.

Naxxar continued to dominate and on 73 minutes, Ewurun dribbled past three opponents before serving Buhagiar who shot badly from a good position.

When the game seemed heading for a goalless draw, Naxxar won the points thanks to Camilleri who pounced on a loose ball outside the area and gave Farrugia no chance to stop his piledriver.

Żejtun: R. Farrugia, E. Azzopardi, A. Farrugia, C. Magro, Z. Vukovic, M. Borg, D. Zarb, A. Carabott, W. Elzaredi, O. Majtara (B. Gockaj), K. Abela (D. Cucciardi).

Naxxar: J. Azzopardi, J. Vella, A. Buhagiar (G. Camilleri), M. Del Negro (J. Debono), S. Eboh, V. Bellia, P. Doffo, A. Rocha Da Silva (I. Serino Junior), L. Micallef, D. Falzon, A. Ewurun.

Referee: Sandro Spiteri.

Man of the match: Anthony Ewurun (Naxxar Lions).