Mellieħa 2
Attard 1

Mellieħa beat newly-promoted Attard in their opening match to continue with their streak of celebrations marking the club’s 50th year of affiliation with the Malta FA.

With the signing of some promising talents to strengthen their squad, Mellieħa are doing their utmost this season to get promoted having missed the bus last year after losing a decisive play-off to St Patrick.

Attard dominated the first few minutes and, in fact, were the first team to take the lead after just seven minutes. From a free-kick outside the penalty area, taken by Andrew Agius, Darren Galea controlled the ball skilfully and beat Gauci with a low strike.

Mellieħa’s reaction was immediate and ten minutes later Matthew Vella scored the equaliser with a firm header.

The northerners were the only team to venture forward now with Attard failing to construct any noticeable action.

Just before the break, Mellieħa were close to doubling their lead. Simiana beat Cini with a fierce shot but the ball finished just wide.

Mellieħa took the lead at the start of the second half. Taylor’s shot on target was temporarily blocked by Attard’s defence but Tiago Loquete was on hand to blast home past Cini.

Attard had a Lanzon free-kick slightly high over the bar but their efforts suffered a blow on 60 minutes when Agius committed his second bookable offence and got sent off.

Ten minutes from time, Mellieħa were also forced to finish the game with ten men when Loquete retired injured with his team having already effected all three substitutions.

However, that upset did not preclude Mellieħa from gaining their first three points of the season.

Mellieħa: S. Gauci, M. Vella, M. Abela (M. Borg), W. Buttigieg, D. Cauchi, P. Tailor, K. Fenech (W. Borg St John), W. Borg, K. Simiana, T. Loquete, J. Vella (M. Vella).

Attard: C. Cini, O. Tabone, C. Lanzon, A. Agius, D. Gauci, J.C. Cachia, D. Galea, R. Filipov, K. Said (A. Lanzon), D. Traykov, C. Farrugia.

Red card: Agius (A) 60.

Referee: Jude Amin Utulu.

Summaries

Luqa SA 3
Kirkop 1

Luqa: P. Psaila, L. Vella, F. Cauchi, M. Ciantar (J. Fenech), R. Pemra, R. Debattista, L. Baldacchino (A. Psaila), J. Camilleri (J. Good), D. Agius, A. Abdilla, G. Frendo.

Kirkop: D. Pryke, C. Farrugia, J. Attard, A. Busuttil, R. Galea, B. Falzon, O. Buhagiar (M. Theuma), I. Stankovic, R. Kerekov, D. Zammit (P.P. Cassar), L. Zammit (B. Bugeja).

Referee: Mohammed Kalik.

Scorers: Frendo (L) 60, 75; De-battista (L) 77; Kerekov (K) 86.

Żurrieq 0
Siġġiewi 1

Żurrieq: K. Ellul, D. Bonnici, D. Bellizzi, K. Sacco, J. Lia, L. Grima, J. Briffa (D. Mula), K. Agius, J. Briffa, C. Shumba (N. Abdilla), A. Portelli (C. Caruana).

Siġġiewi: J. Vella, I. Darmanin, N. Galea, M. Camilleri, M. Bajada, E. Vella, K. Buhagiar (M. Deguara), E. Cutajar, R. Farrugia, A. Shkjau (M. Vella), J. Vassallo (E. Bugeja).

Referee: Stefan Pace.

Scorer: Vassallo 90.

Red cards: Grima (Ż) 79; Vella (S) 79.

Għargħur 1
Sta Venera 0

Għargħur: D. Zarb, L. Stivala, B. Perry Acton, R. Mifsud, J. Debattista, E. Lapira, B. Antignolo (C. Vella Petroni), I. Curmi (C. Farrugia), M. Tirchett, K. Azzopardi, J.G. Nwoba (G. Cuervonial).

Sta Venera: W. Cuschieri, J. Onouha, M. Muscat, S. Farrugia (J. Zammit), K. Cilia, G. Micallef, A. Hili (J. Taliana), D. Wingfield, M. Grech, E. Muscat, D. Mercieca (R. Carbonaro).

Referee: Andrew J. Sammut.

Scorer: Stivala.