Sirens 1
Balzan Youths 5

Balzan Youths recovered from their defeat to St Andrew's as they obtained an easy win over lowly Sirens in a one-sided match to go top of the standings.

Sirens almost surprised Balzan with an early goal when a lob by Glenn Gatt hit the upright. But Balzan soon assumed the initiative and after going close through Sergio Cappitta, they went on to break the deadlock in the 18th minute through Antoine Sacco.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 as a good move by Simon Mizzi was finished off by Kurt Coleiro.

Sirens created the better chances after the changeover. Giovanni Galea was denied by the post before Sirens pulled one back in the 74th minute from a penalty given for a handling infringement by Jerryton Agius. Kristian Galea scored from the spot.

But, in the 79th minute, Balzan made it 3-1 through an Aaron Agius free-kick with Coleiro adding a fourth goal in the 88th minute following a personal effort. Two minutes into injury-time substitute Alistair Camilleri rounded up the score with another Balzan goal.

Sirens: R. Schembri, R. Bonett (N. Mercieca), C. Muscat (J. Xuereb), K. Galea, J. Mallia, A. Xuereb (R. Theuma), J. Mercieca, G. Galea, K. Zammit, P. Barbara, G. Gatt.

Balzan: B. Bonello, R. Farrugia (S. Cauchi), S. Cappitta, B. Pace, A. Agius, L. McKay, K. Coleiro, A. Sacco (A. Camilleri), M. Monreal, A. Lagana, S. Mizzi (J. Agius).

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Melita 0
Rabat Ajax 0

This was a very balanced match between two strong promotion contenders. Melita looked better in the opening half but the Magpies hit back strongly after the restart.

During this match, one could notice the presence of former Italian international and Fiorentina stalwart Giancarlo Antognoni on the stands. He is currently in Malta to lead an Italian youth team in the Easter Tournament at Ta' Qali.

After just two minutes, the Rabat keeper made a difficult save to avoid an own-goal by team-mate Jonathan Bezzina. Melita were close through Julian Galea and in the 18th minute they were denied by Azzopardi off a Matthew Borg volley.

There was a battle for supremacy in midfield but in the 32nd minute the Amateurs created another chance only for Bjorn Bondin to hit just wide.

Rabat gained the initiative after the break and were very close through Clint Micallef. Sapiano, however, stood firm to keep his goal intact.

Rabat increased the pressure in the final stages and carved out openings for Adam Smeir and Kayne Said but still no goals were scored.

Melita: M. Sapiano, J. Mifsud, M. Ellul (J. Vassallo), G. Gribbon, D. Gravino, M. Martin, M. Hyzler (K. Micallef), B. Bondin, M. Borg, G. Degabriele (L. Micallef), J. Galea.

Rabat: J. Azzopardi, J. Bezzina, J. Tonna, J. Caruana (C. Schembri), C. Micallef, A. Zahra (G. Vassallo), A. Smeir, D. Galea (K. Said), D. Falzon, M. Micallef, E. Muscat.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Zurrieq 1
Naxxar Lions 0

Zurrieq gained three useful points from this match against Naxxar with Michael Abdilla scoring the decisive goal. This result means that the relegation issue is now wide open.

Naxxar had a Kevin Naudi shot blocked by Julian Azzopardi in the opening stages but gradually Zurrieq assumed the initiative with Godfrey Chetcuti having a dangerous shot deflected to a corner.

Abdilla headed the Reds in front on nine minutes from a Matthew Genuis corner. He then hit just wide from inside the Lions box. Naxxar responded on the half hour as an Aaron Galea free-kick was headed goalwards by Mark Deguara but Azzopardi was alert to block.

Azzopardi was again on hand to deny Deguara as Naxxar saw more of the ball for most of the second period even though it was Zurrieq who created the better opportunities.

Chetcuti could have rested Zurrieq's minds a little earlier had he scored from an ideal position in stoppage time.

Zurrieq: J. Azzopardi, E. Camilleri, J. Lia, J. Camilleri, F. Cassar, D. Bonnici (K. Sacco), M. Abdilla (D. Bellizzi), C. Farrugia, D. Zammit (C. Shomba), M. Genuis, G. Chetcuti.

Naxxar: K. Agius, A. Galea, M. Spiteri Gonzi, E. Cutajar, B. Farrugia, J.P. Zahra, A. Catania (G. Sant), C. Farrugia (K. Caruana), K. Naudi (C. Micallef), A. Fenech, M. Deguara.

Referee: Sammy Attard.

San Gwann 3
Birzebbuga SP 4

This was an exciting match with San Gwann's promotion ambitions suffering a blow as they were beaten by a determined Birzebbuga team who turned a two-goal deficit into victory.

San Gwann took a double lead following goals by Renie Forace and Sergio Hili inside the opening 19 minutes.

But, the seasiders reacted strongly and reduced the arrears on the half-hour following a powerful Johan Zammit drive. At the other end, San Gwann were denied by Matthew Xerxen off a shot by Alan Borg but Birzebbuga drew level in the 35th minute thanks to Zammit's second goal of the day.

Five minutes into the second period Birzebbuga took the lead through Stephen Aquilina, following a through-pass by Donald Gatt. The Saints pushed more men forward but on 72 minutes Aquilina scored again to make it 4-2.

San Gwann did not throw in the towel though and reduced the arrears ten minutes from time following an own-goal by defender Eric Saliba.

In added time, Ronnie Celeste could have made his team's victory more emphatic but wasted a clear chance in a tense finale.

San Gwann: J. Spiteri, S. Zammit Fava (M. Marmara), C. Giordemaina (M. Francica), A. Gatt, M. Mercieca (L. Cumbo), R. Zammit, R. Forace, A. Borg, C. Gatt, R. Brincat, S. Hili.

Birzebbuga: M. Xerxen, D. Baldacchino, E. Saliba, C. Formosa, N. Tabone, D. Burke, J. Cassar (C. Borg), S. Aquilina (J. Zammit), Joh. Zammit (R. Celeste), D. Gatt, E. Azzopardi.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Division Three - Section 'A'

Ghaxaq 2
Zejtun Corinthians 5

A second-half Glen Azzopardi Busuttil hat-trick paved the way for an empathic Zejtun victory over Ghaxaq.

There was plenty of goalmouth action in the opening half. However, it was only two minutes before half-time that Ghaxaq managed to open the score with an Anthony Brignone goal.

Zejtun came out roaring after the break and drew level through Jesmar Abela on 59 minutes. Then, they took a 3-1 lead with a quick Azzopardi Busuttil brace.

In the 70th minute Azzopardi Busuttil notched his hat-trick to make it 4-1 with Ghaxaq reducing the arrears through Christian Cristiano on 77 minutes.

Three minutes from time, Zejtun substitute Sergio Schembri made it 5-2 after the Ghaxaq keeper had partially stopped Andy Portelli's shot.

Ghaxaq: K. Gambin, M. Axiaq, C. Xuereb, D. Lapira (N. Bilocca), D. Galea, C. Cristiano, E. Dimech (M. Muscat), B. Barbara, L. Camilleri, M. Agius (F. Galea), A. Brignone.

Zejtun: R. Gafa, S. Curmi (K. Attard), G. Azzopardi Busuttil, B. Testaferrata, S. Shead, A. Portelli, J.P. Abela, M. Gerada, G. Mifsud (S. Schembri), J. Abela, A. Farrugia.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

Siggiewi 1
Attard 6

Firas Aboulezz inspired Attard to a comprehensive victory over Siggiewi and regain second place in the standings.

The first half was evenly balanced with Siggiewi going close through Jason Camilleri who was denied by an excellent save by goalkeeper Owen Formosa.

However, it was Attard who took the lead through an own goal by Siggiewi defender David Calleja and on the stroke of half-time James Anastasi almost made it 2-0 but his lob hit the post.

It was all Attard after the break and quick-fire goals from Clive Lanzon (54) and Floyd Farrugia (55) put them 3-0 up. Aboulezz then scored a gem of a goal on 58 minutes following a fine solo move.

Siggiewi pulled one back on 64 minutes through Josef Micallef but Attard completed the rout with late goals from Daniel Agius and Mark Saliba.

Siggiewi: T. Camilleri, C. Bezzina, J. Taliana, J. Debono, S. Said (M. Camilleri), J. Micallef, J. Camilleri, J. Vassallo, E. Ciappara (A. Farrugia), D. Calleja, K. Buhagiar.

Attard: O. Formosa, M. Cutajar (D. Haber), D. Agius, M. Tabone, F. Cutajar, Y. Grech, J. Axisa, C. Lanzon (A. Agius), J. Anastasi (M.Saliba), F. Aboulezz, F. Farrugia.

Referee: Fyodor Zammit.

Division Three - Section 'B'

Gozo FC 3
Gharghur 1

Gozo FC were back to winning ways after completing a double over Gharghur at the Gozo Stadium.

Gozo took control of proceedings in the first half and came close through Anthony Portelli and Chris Camilleri. Gharghur tried to hit back through Robert Southward who just missed the target.

On the restart, Gozo struck three times in the space of five minutes to all but secure the points.

Chris Camilleri put them ahead on 52 minutes and then Gharghur defender Marco Buttigieg deflected the ball into his own goal when trying to clear Camilleri's cross. The score became 3-0 one minute later when John Camilleri finished off a good move by Chris Camilleri.

Gharghur did manage to pull a goal back on the hour when Southward's long range shot surprised goalkeeper Jonathan Xuereb.

Gozo FC: J. Xuereb, F. Camilleri, J. Cefai, P. Buttigieg, B. Meilaq, J. Portelli, J. Attard, J. Camilleri, A. Portelli (S.F. Bajada), C. Camilleri, J. Buttigieg.

Gharghur: F. Piscopo, D. Borg, M. Buttigieg (J. Bonello), J.P. Galea, D. Galea, R. Southward, J. Schembri, E. Lapira, C. Glass, M. Grech (A. Brincat), A. Azzopardi.

Referee: Tristan Farrugia Cann.

Kirkop United 0
Gzira United 3

Gzira consolidated their runners-up position in the standings as they outclassed Kirkop United, particularly in the second half.

Kirkop tried to offer some resistance but they only lasted until the 15th minute when Gzira's Tano Farrugia finished off a good move by Dylan Agius.

Gzira were the better team after the break and Keith Bonello rattled the Kirkop woodwork with a rasping drive before the Maroons secured their win with late goals from Justin Felice and Aldrin Muscat.

Kirkop: S. Cardona, B. Buhagiar, A. Deidun, K. Buhagiar (G. Lucas), J. Bellizzi (J. Axiaq), M. Farrugia, M. Cilia (S. Busuttil), T. Bonnici, A. Cacciattolo, B. Falzon, O. Zammit.

Gzira: K. Camilleri (K. Galea), A. White, A. Buttigieg, J. Tabone (O. Spiteri), H. Gatt Bonello, D. Agius, K. Bonello, T. Farrugia, H. Rhababh (W. Mallia), J. Felice, A. Muscat.

Referee: Pierre Bonnici.

Luqa St Andrew's 1
Pembroke Athleta 3

Pembroke Athleta notched their fifth win of the season to keep in touch with the teams challenging for promotion.

Pembroke took a deserved lead on 32 minutes through Steve Micallef before Liam Camilleri made it 2-0 two minutes later.

Camilleri headed just over the bar on the stroke of half-time but on 57 minutes Karl Vella pounced on some poor Luqa defending to make it 3-0.

Luqa pulled a goal back on 67 minutes through Lee Baldacchino.

Luqa: J. Gatt, B. Bartolo, O. Cutajar, C. Psaila, M. Dimech, M. Said, E. Cumbo, L. Baldacchino, C. Caruana, A. Pirrone, T. Cauchi (A. Caruana).

Pembroke: R. Debattista, K. Vella, S. Micallef, M. Manicolo, J. Scerri, T. Naudi, D. Bugeja, R. Zammit, L. Camilleri, A. Briffa (M. Sammut), K. Vella.

Referee: Andrew James Sammut.

Rabat lost top spot in Division Two after a 0-0 draw with Melita.