Gżira United 3
Rabat Ajax 1

Gżira recovered from two defeats in a row to Lija and St Andrew's with a merited victory over Rabat.

The Maroons owe their victory to striker Alessandro Pirrone who scored a hat-trick.

The first half was a total drab with Gżira going close on 23 minutes but Rabat keeper Jonathan Azzopardi was alert to halt Pirrone's strike. A shot by Thane Micallef was deflected to a corner by the Magpies who relied on Adam Smeir in attack.

Smeir missed a clear opportunity on 31 minutes and Rabat were made to pay dearly for that as five minutes later Pirrone put Gżira ahead.

Then, a minute before the break, the Maroons increased their lead when Pirrone finished off a good move by Micallef.

Rabat gained the initiative after the break and Smeir and Joseph Caruana were close to pulling a goal back. Michael Micallef almost made it 1-2 following a Chris Schembri free-kick but it was Gżira who scored again, this time Pirrone hitting home from close in.

Three minutes from time Rabat scored a consolation goal through Darren Galea.

Sta Venera Lightnings 1
Għargħur 3

Għargħur chalked up their first victory after six consecutive defeats. Their striker, Shaun Vella, played a key role after scoring two goals and also won a penalty.

The Saints dictated the run of play early on. Mark Grech headed against the post with Għargħur hitting back with a Vella shot that went wide.

On 22 minutes, a hesitant Sta Venera defence let in Vella whose lob finished in the back of the net.

The Lightnings' reaction was immediate but Għargħur soaked up the pressure and doubled their lead soon after the restart thanks to Vella.

The match was over as a contest on 68 minutes when Għargħur made it 3-0 from a penalty, awarded for a foul on Vella and converted by Daniel Borg.

Veteran Nenad Veselji pulled one back for Sta Venera on 77 minutes.