Dingli stun Gzira as Gudja and Gharghur maintain the pace

Gzira United 0
Dingli Swallows 1

A first-half goal scored by Jason Cachia was enough for Dingli Swallows to surprise Gzira and improve their position in the lower end of the standings. Gzira ended the match with ten players when Edwin Gauci was sent off seven minutes from time.

The Swallows dictated the run of play during the first period but Gzira created the first opportunity from a Cocks' effort which was saved by Farrugia. Aldrin Muscat's shot then hit a post and Micallef, in the Gzira goal, did well to hold out a Julian Camilleri shot.

Dingli took the lead in the 29th minute. Defender Cachia found space in the opponents' box to hit home from an Azzopardi corner.

Gzira pressed forward during the second half and were unlucky when a Malcolm Sultana volley bounced off the Dingli woodwork.

Camilleri's shot for Dingli also met the same fate in the 61st minute. From the rebound Muscat's shot was cleared off the line by Malcolm Sultana.

Gzira suffered a severe blow to their chances late in the match when Gauci was red carded for elbowing Michael Cutajar.

Referee: Karl Frendo Cumbo.

Zebbug Rangers 0
Vittoriosa Stars 3

Billy Mock's Vittoriosa notched their fourth three-pointer of the season after beating Zebbug Rangers. Striker James Galea scored two decisive goals after the interval.

Zebbug went close from a Keith Farrugia's shot which was well saved by Coreschi but four minutes later Vittoriosa took the lead, an excellent Sandro Calleja drive giving the Rangers keeper no chance.

Zebbug had a Farrugia free-kick and a Gordon Mallia header almost on the mark but right on the hour Galea profited from some hasty Rangers defending to put the Stars 2-0 ahead.

Zebbug lost the pace and Vittoriosa sealed the issue 18 minutes from time when Galea added another goal following good work by Charles Cachia. Stars' substitute Larry Lagana was sent off late in the game for passing remarks to the referee.

Referee: Roberto Buontempo.

Division Three

Gharghur 2
Sirens 1

This was the fifth victory for Martin Gregory's outfit as they maintained the pace with co-leaders Gudja.

Gharghur's winner was scored by Adrian Gatt who was immediately sent off for a second booking after taking off his shirt to celebrate.

Gharghur took the lead after just five minutes from a Neil Zarb Cousin free-kick. Schembri, in the Sirens goal, then blocked a Bonello effort and from the rebound Attard hit in... the goal disallowed for offside.

At the other end, Kristian Galea was a whisker away from scoring an equaliser as Schembri effected timely saves to deny Gatt and Attard.

Sirens were seeing more of the ball and drew level just before half-time. A Neville Arpa header hit the bar but from the loose ball Adrian Galea headed into the net.

Early on in the second period, Gharghur were close when Zarb Cousin's effort was cleared in time by Antonio Portelli and on 52 minutes Arpa's low drive again found the Gharghur woodwork in its way.

Gatt put Gharghur ahead in the 62nd minute with a firm shot after he was released by Sammut. Gatt was sent off for his over-reaction to the goal. Sirens pressed hard for another equaliser but to no avail as Gregory's men held on to their slender lead.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

Kirkop United 0
Gudja United 1

A Jean Pierre Abdilla goal paved the way for Gudja's fifth victory from as many matches with Kirkop losing their unbeaten record and suffering their first goal in 483 minutes.

Kirkop now trail Gudja and Gharghur by a five-point margin.

Kirkop dictated the match during the first period and after going close early on through Eman Ciappara, in the 18th minute Gudja keeper Matthew Xerxen effected a fine save to deny Chris Farrugia.

Gudja assumed the initiative after the break. Kirkop keeper Stephen Mizzi did well to deny Stephen Orlando and Elvin Gauci. On 78 minutes, Gudja scored the all-important goal thanks to Abdilla who concluded Gauci's fine build-up to the move.

Kirkop's late reaction produced a dangerous free-kick by Ramon Mallia which was saved by Xerxen.

Referee: Edward Spiteri.

Sta Lucija 4
Ta' Xbiex 0

Sta Lucija maintained their charge at the top positions of the standings after chalking up a third win.

After some sustained pressure, Sta Lucija finally pierced the seasiders' defensive lines in the 36th minute thanks to a Liam Cutajar goal.

Marlon Cutajar made it 2-0 after 60 minutes and seven minutes later Kurt Grima scored again for the Saints after a fine solo move.

Ten minutes from time, Ta' Xbiex were awarded a penalty for a handling infringement inside the Sta Lucija box. Brincat, however, saved Aaron Abela's shot from the spot.

Five minutes from time substitute Roderick Mangion rounded up the score to 4-0 for Sta Lucija.

Referee: Darren Calleja.

Birzebbuga SP 2
Kalkara 0

Birzebbuga St Peter's recovered from their setback to Sirens as they defeated lowly Kalkara. They enjoyed most of the possession but had to wait until the 22nd minute to open the score when Antoine Sacco found the net with an excellent shot.

Noel Bugeja almost drew the teams level just after Sacco's goal but found Mercieca, in the Birzebbuga goal, on the right spot to save.

Birzebbuga maintained the upperhand after the interval and scored the goal that killed off Kalkara's hopes in the 67th minute when defender Martin Degiorgio committed an own goal.

Referee: Paul Apap.