Gzira United 1
Tarxien Rainbows 4

\n

This was a deserved victory for Tarxien Rainbows who repeated their 4-1 win in the corresponding first-round match.

On Saturday, Rainbows striker Simon Shead scored two other goals to take his season's tally to 21 as his team maintained its promotion charge.

After only four minutes a Massimo Schembri free-kick for Tarxien was saved by Bonello and soon after Baldassare Borg, of Gzira, was denied by the upright, also from a free-kick.

On 19 minutes, Tarxien broke the deadlock when Shead scored after being ably put through by Igor Stefanovic. Gzira staged a bold reaction but Joe Debono wasted a good chance to equalise soon after the restart.

In the 69th minute, Tarxien doubled their lead, this time Shead heading home a Schembri cross. Three minutes later Stefanovic added a third following a good move between Schembri and Shead but in the 81st minute Debono made it 3-1.

With the Maroons all-out on attack, Stefanovic hit Tarxien's fourth goal after receiving from Anthony Bonello.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

San Gwann 1
Zebbug Rangers 1

San Gwann lost two precious points in their bid for promotion when they were held to a draw by a determined Zebbug Rangers side. The Saints are now joint leaders with Vittoriosa Stars on 30 points, one better off than third-placed Tarxien. Vittoriosa and Tarxien, however, have a game in hand.

San Gwann forged ahead after 15 minutes when Rangers goalie Pace was found wanting on his goal-line and defender Bernard Sciberras slid the ball home.

However, six minutes later it was 1-1. Gordon Mallia's throughpass arrived at Carlo Leonardi's feet who blasted home the equaliser.

San Gwann were stunned and Sciberras almost committed an own goal. Two minutes from the break, Saints' goalie George Attard handled the ball outside the box but was lucky to escape with a booking only.

During the second period Zebbug created the better chances and Mallia twice went close but Attard was alert to save his goal. In the 75th minute, the Saints goalie was, once again, called into action to stop Jason Cassa's grounder.

Referee: Saviour Tanti.

St Andrews 0
Zurrieq 3

This clash between two mid-table sides went Zurrieq's way with their striker Philip Farrugia having a fine day, scoring two goals for his team.

Zurrieq were soon on attack against lifeless opponents but Josef Spiteri wasted his chance. In the 33rd minute Zurrieq were close when an effort by Matthew Genuis was saved by Peter Said. But six minutes later they took the lead when Farrugia concluded some fine work by Spiteri.

Zurrieq dictated matters after the break, the post coming to the Saints rescue on a Farrugia drive. In the 69th minute Zurrieq increased their lead through Godfrey Chetcuti following a pass by Francalanza. Five minutes later Farrugia made it 3-0 after a fine solo effort.

Referee: Ian Miller.

Division Three

Birzebbuga Sp 1
Fgura United 1

A last-gasp Neville Farrugia goal saved the day for Birzebbuga in this direct promotion clash with Fgura. Kick-off was delayed by around 15 minutes after the late arrival of referee Andre Arciola, presumably due to traffic congestion.

Fgura had a flying start and were leading after 12 minutes through a calibrated Jonathan Cachia free-kick. Five minutes later, Cachia could have doubled the score but his effort just fell off target.

Birzebbuga gradually started coming more in the picture but despite their constant pressure they failed to score. In the last three minutes, Birzebbuga had to carry on with ten players when Angelo Chetcuti was sent off for an off-the-ball incident.

However, despite this upset, the southerners still ventured forward to save the match. Their efforts were rewarded when Farrugia hit home a dramatic equaliser in added time.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Gudja United 0
Gharghur 3

This was an excellent performance from Gharghur who dominated proceedings all the way to win the points and leapfrog the same Gudja in the standings.

With Jeremy Dalli leading Gharghur's attack, the side took the lead after 20 minutes. Kris Sargent sent in an inviting cross and Dalli was on the right spot to head home.

Gudja had a Maurice Muscat grounder saved by Aquilina but just before the break Christian Degabriele made it 2-0 following some fine work from Dalli again.

Gharghur sustained the pressure during the second half and four minutes from time Dalli released substitute Paul Hyzler who sealed the issue with a fine goal.

Referee: Adrian Ferriggi.

St George's 3
Sta Lucija 0

Joint-leaders St George's were made to fight harder than this result might indicate. Sta Lucija played solidly and only suffered the three goals late in the match.

Both teams had their chances early on and the balance prevailed after the break as well. However, with 17 minutes to go, St George's took the lead when Claudio Formosa committed an own-goal.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 when Joe Ellul committed a handling infringement inside the Sta Lucija box and Lawrence Mizzi converted from the spot. Deep into stoppage time Keith Darmanin scored from a Joe Mizzi cross to make it 3-0. Certainly a harsh result on Sta Lucija.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Ghaxaq 3
Sirens 1

Ghaxaq turned defeat into victory with three early second-half goals.

Sirens, who had coach Roland Solars quitting his post last week, have now suffered their fifth defeat of the season and are practically out of the promotion race.

They took the lead after 20 minutes from a Reuben Bonett free-kick but Ghaxaq were back on level terms soon after the restart when an error from goalie Adrian Lia led Sandro Lapira to hit the equaliser.

A minute later Angelo Portelli put Ghaxaq ahead following a perfect pass from Lapira and in the 57th minute Portelli increased Ghaxaq's lead to 3-1 with a shot from close in.

Sirens were down and out. The score could have been more pronounced for Ghaxaq but Lapira was denied by the post with 20 minutes to go.

Referee: Ronnie Farrugia.