Naxxar Lions 1
Vittoriosa Stars 0
Yuri Messias made up for the disappointment of missing a penalty when he scored the all-important goal that earned Naxxar Lions a 1-0 win over Vittoriosa Stars that lifted them back to the top of the Division One standings.
Naxxar threatened on the half hour when goalkeeper Karl Magri rushed out to block Messias with the ball falling into the path of Jurgen Borg who fired wide.
Two minutes before the break, Naxxar were awarded a penalty when Andreas Galea floored Messias inside the area and the Brazilian’s shot was blocked by Magri.
But the Lions went on to clinch the winner on 73 minutes.
From a swift break, substitute Andriuoli fed Messias who lobbed the ball past the onrushing Magri.
The Stars had Gianluca Sultana sent off in stoppage time.
Naxxar: O. Borg, A. Buhagiar, M. Fenech, D. Bonnici, R. Cassar, Jurgen Debono, R. Grech, D. Nocera Garcia (L. Andriuoli), John Debono (L.J. Agius), L. Adamec, Y. Messias (R. Mercieca).
Vittoriosa: K. Magri, G. Sultana, D. Pisani (K. Attard), J. Ogonuppe (O.L. Agbeobina), L. Gauci (C.J. Mallia), D. Fava, A. Farrugia, R. Previ, O. Obiefule, P. Mrvic, A. Galea.
Referee: Jude Amin Utulu.
Best player: Jurgen Debono (Naxxar).
Melita 2
Fgura United 0
Ten-men Melita have all but sealed Fgura’s fate in their relegation battle after scoring a goal in each half to secure a 2-0 win.
Jean Pierre Attard was playing his 100th game for Melita and prior to kick-off he was presented with a memento by club officials.
Melita took the lead on 12 minutes when Luke Micallef beat Cilia from just inside the area.
Fgura responded on 26 minutes when Cleaven Frendo was denied by goalkeeper Rizzo.
A minute before the break a Barbosa Da Silveira close-range header finished over the bar.
Melita suffered a setback on 53 minutes when Aidan Mizzi was shown a straight red card after a foul on De Fex Marriaga.
Fgura tried to step up their game but they could not find a way through. Instead it was Melita who sealed the points when Micallef converted a penalty.
Melita: K. Rizzo, J.P. Attard, A. Mizzi, R. Parrado, J. Abela, N. Bradshaw, E. Cornago, K. Pace (R. Spiteri), A. Borg Olivier (A. Xuereb), T. Singleton, L. Micallef.
Fgura: J. Cilia, M.L. Barbosa Da Silveira (E. Okpokwu), E. C. Uzeh, C. Fenech, J. Barbara (J. Mizzi), M. Caruana (M. Vella), M. Spiteri, M.R. Gauci, C. Frendo, R.J. De Fex Marriaga, W. Chircop.
Referee: Philip Farrugia.
Best player: Luke Micallef (Melita).