Melita 2
Sta Venera Lightnings 3

This was probably the best match so far this season with Sta Venera Lightnings springing a surprise to move off the bottom place in the standings after this unexpected victory over Melita who had some key players missing from their line-up.

Melita held the initiative for long stretches throughout the first half with Sta Venera, however, creating the better chances early on.

But it was Melita who opened the score after 36 minutes through Edward Herrera following some good work by Matthew Borg.

Just before the break the Saints drew level when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Stephen Said. Jeffrey Zammit scored from the spot.

Play was evenly shared after the break but in the 58th minute Zammit tilted the balance in his team's favour with an excellent goal following a pass from Mark Grech.

Melita did not throw in the towel though and on 69 minutes it was all square again after a Matthew Zampa goal for the Amateurs.

But Sta Venera soon regained the lead. This time it was substitute Joseph Chetcuti who profited from an indecision in the Melita defence to put his team in the driving seat again - 3-2.

Five minutes from time Sta Venera duo Yau Mun Law and Daniel Piccinino collided with each other and both had to be replaced.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Qormi 3
Mellieha 2

Two goals scored in the last eight minutes by brothers Mark and James Tabone turned defeat into victory for leaders Qormi in a very difficult match against Mellieha, the latter suffering their fifth defeat from eight matches.

Mellieha started on attack and were very close through Mario Debono and Chris Borg. In the 15th minute Qormi won a free-kick which was taken by Mark Tabone and Carmel Formosa headed just over the bar.

Qormi took the lead after 34 minutes. A Chris Ellul shot hit the crossbar and from the rebound Formosa headed in from close range.

Six minutes after the restart Qormi were awarded a penalty for a foul on James Tabone but Michael Borg Olivier's shot from the spot missed the target.

On 62 minutes Hubert Vella scored for Mellieha and in the 71st minute the northerners forged ahead thanks to a goal from substitute Matthew Borg.

Qormi's reaction was indeed effective. Mark Tabone made it two-all in the 82nd minute and four minutes later James Tabone scored the winner with a shot from the distance.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Zebbug Rangers 2
Rabat Ajax 0

Two goals in the final 15 minutes earned Zebbug Rangers the points at the expense of lowly Rabat who suffered their fifth defeat from nine matches.

Rabat were unlucky not to take the lead after just two minutes when a Jonathan Bezzina cross-shot hit the Rangers' bar.

Exchanges were shared for the rest of the half but after the break Zebbug played better even though it was the Magpies who went closest, the woodwork again denying them a goal on a Christian Muscat free-kick.

Thirteen minutes from time Zebbug forged ahead through a volley by Eric Sciberras following a move involving Bugeja and Ciantar.

Rabat keeper Azzopardi made a series of saves to deny Mallia and Farrugia but three minutes from time the Rangers sealed the issue through Mark Ciantar.

In injury-time Rabat substitute Dunstan Saliba was sent off.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Vittoriosa Stars 1
Dingli Swallows 0

Vittoriosa Stars obtained their fifth victory of the season with Charles Cachia scoring the decisive goal in a drab match. Jeremy Agius (ex-Valletta and Msida) missed a last-minute penalty on his debut for Dingli.

Agius was in the thick of action right from the word go for Dingli. He missed a sitter after six minutes. His team-mate Julian Camilleri also had a good chance to open the score but fired wide from a good position.

There was little to separate the teams but after the break it was Cachia who scored the winning goal for Vittoriosa when he headed home a James Camilleri free-kick.

Dingli's reaction was weak but a minute from time they were awarded a penalty for a handling infringement inside the Stars' box. Agius completely missed the target from the spot. Dingli defender Edwin Casha was then sent off for a double booking.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.