Mqabba 0
Vittoriosa Stars 1
Leo Chitescu converted a penalty 12 minutes from time to earn promotion favourites Vittoriosa Stars a 1-0 victory over Mqabba.
It was Mqabba who created the better openings early on. After seven minutes, Claudio Calleja fired just wide after receiving from Martin Anastasi.
Three minutes later, Mqabba threatened again when Claudio Calleja retrieved a long ball from goalkeeper Kris Calleja but the striker's effort was saved by Henry Bonello, the Vittoriosa goalkeeper.
As the first half moved on, Vittoriosa increased their pressure. Eight minutes from half-time, Chitescu found Henry Makinwa who blasted wide. Three minutes later, Brandon Bonnici crossed for Johann Spiteri who headed goalward only to be denied by Calleja.
After the change of ends, Mqabba defender Mark Anthony Psaila made a well-timed tackle to foil the advancing Beppe Muscat. A minute later, Vilson Caushi's shot from the distance almost deceived Bonello but much to the latter's relief, the ball ended just wide.
With 12 minutes remaining, Vittoriosa scored the winner. Elton Vella served Muscat who was brought down by Joseph Fenech inside the Mqabba box.
Referee Saviour Tanti pointed to the spot and Chitescu stepped up for the penalty. The Romanian made a feint to wrong-foot Calleja before firing the ball into the net. Mqabba demanded that the penalty be retaken but their protests failed to convince the referee.
At the death, substitute Glenn Barry almost equalised for Mqabba when he drove the ball into the side-netting from Caushi's cross.
Mqabba: K. Calleja, M. Bonnici, P. Grima, P. Borg, M.A. Psaila, S. Magro, C. Calleja (V. Caushi), J.P. Muscat, J. Fenech (E. Borg), O. Grech, M. Anastasi (G. Barry).
Vittoriosa: H. Bonello, J. Camilleri, J. Xerri, J. Chetcuti, B. Bonnici, B. Muscat, J. Spiteri (K. Formosa), L. Chitescu, E. Vella (C. Cachia), C. Micallef, H. Makinwa.
Referee: Saviour Tanti.
Man of the match: M.A. Psaila (Mqabba).
St. George's 0
Balzan Youths 2
Simon Shead scored a brace to give Balzan Youths a deserved victory over St George's in their opening league match yesterday.
St George's enjoyed the better start. After 13 minutes, Glenn Bonello shot just wide following a good move by Silvio Sciberras. A minute later, Nigerian Anthony Ewurum struck a first-time effort from the edge of the area but Balzan goalkeeper Frederick Tabone saved.
Balzan gradually began to share the exchanges and on 21 minutes, a Renie Forace drive was tipped away for a corner by Thomas Galea.
Balzan took the lead a minute later, Shead heading home from a David Fenech corner. Four minutes later Galea denied Balzan a second goal with a fine save from Aaron Agius.
It was all Balzan now and on 28 minutes, Peter Anizoba's drive was blocked by the St George's goalkeeper.
The Saints started the second half in brisk fashion. Two minutes after the restart, Tabone effected a magnificent save to push Ewurum's half-volley away for a corner.
A minute later, Bonello drove wide from a good position after the Balzan custodian had flapped at Sciberras's cross. Balzan's response saw Shead enter the box but his shot was stopped by Galea.
On 66 minutes, Balzan attacked on the counter as Agius sped forward before hitting a drive that was parried away by Galea.
Eleven minutes from time, St George's came close to an equaliser when Chris Ciappara headed just wide after reaching a Bonello free-kick. Five minutes from the end, Shead put the game to bed for Balzan when scoring with a half-volley after Ivan Zammit's free-kick had come off the crossbar.
St. George's: T. Galea, B. Fenech, A. Bonello, S. Sciberras, E. Sevasta, C. Schiavone (J. Dalli), C. Ciappara, N. Caruana (C. Grech), A. Ewurum, G. Mallia, G. Bonello.
Balzan: F. Tabone, I. Zammit, J. Francica, C. Micallef (D. Agius), R. Forace, S. Aquilina, D. Fenech, B. Bondin (R. Farrugia), A. Agius, P. Anizoba, S. Shead.
Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.
Man of the match: S Shead (Balzan).