Żebbuġ Rangers 0
Vittoriosa Stars 0
Vittoriosa Stars failed to grab maximum points despite dominating most of the match as three players were sent off late on.
But credit for the point won by Rangers goes to goalkeeper Julian Azzopardi, who saved everything that came his way.
Vittoriosa created their first scoring opportunity when Obinna Obiefule drove his shot over the bar from in front of goal after an Arber Dhrami ball from the right.
Liam Gauci should have done better from the edge of the Rangers box when he shot wide after some good work by Duncan Pisani.
On 18 minutes a Dhrami grounder was stopped by Azzopardi as the Cottonera team continued to dominate. Rangers had their first real chance before half-time but Christian Pace’s effort was stopped by Karl Magri.
The pace slowed down in the second half with the Stars almost taking the lead on 61 minutes when substitute Leighton Grech saw his shot blocked over the line by Jean Claude Camilleri.
Grech was again denied by Azzopardi and a Milan Lukic free-kick six minutes from time just missed the target.
Camilleri was sent off on 82 minutes and Rangers finished with nine men soon after when Aaron Agius was shown a second yellow card. The Stars failed to profit and had Pisani ejected by the referee for dissent in stoppage time.
Żebbuġ: J. Azzopardi, J.C. Camilleri, R. Mandic, K. Zammit, A. Agius, C. Pace, D. Tabone (A. Micallef), I. Meli, S. Borg, T. Treboval, M. Gauci (O. Rababah, R. Bajada).
Vittoriosa: K. Magri, R. Previ (L. Grech), C. Spiteri, A. Galea, D. Fava, A. Farrugia, L. Gauci (D. Sammut), M. Lukic, D. Pisani, A. Dhrami, O. Obiefule.
Referee: Alex Johnson.
Best player: Julian Azzopardi (Żebbuġ).
Sirens 1
Għargħur 2
Sirens: S. Cini, D. Sant, T. Farrugia, L. Gabriele (C. Newuche), M. Bartolo, S. Grech, I. Curmi, J. Ekani Rodriguez, C. Caruana (O. Anonam), R. Vaduva, I. Zammit.
Għargħur: Z. Valletta, L. Galea, K. Fedele, J. Azzopardi, I. Chircop (J. Briffa), R. Brincat, L. Busuttil, M. Fagbeja, J.C. Da Silva, W. Barbosa, L. Vella (M. Spiteri).
Scorers: Fagbeja (GĦ) 10, 73; Caruana (S) 12.
Referee: Darko Stankovic.
Best player: Muda Fagbeja (Għargħur).
FA Trophy
First round results
Mtarfa vs Xagħra United 0-7; Kirkop United vs Marsascala 3-0; St Lawrence Spurs vs Żurrieq 3-0; Mdina Knights vs Victoria Hotspurs 1-5; Ta’ Xbiex vs Munxar Falcons 0-2.
Today’s fixtures
Centenary Stadium: BOV Division One 6pm Lija vs Melita; 8.15pm Fgura vs Rabat.
Tedesco Stadium: BOV Division One 6pm Pieta vs Naxxar; 8.15pm Senglea vs Qormi.
Gozo Stadium: FA Trophy first round 6pm Oratory vs Dingli; 8pm Qala vs Xewkija.
Luxol Stadium: FA Trophy first round 6pm Sta Luċija vs Kerċem; 8.15pm Sta Venera vs SK Victoria Wanderers.