Late Psaila goal puts Gzira in deep trouble

Division Two

Gzira United 2
San Gwann 3

A goal scored by Mark Psaila in added time gave San Gwann an important victory as they are now sole leaders, one point ahead of Vittoriosa Stars, the latter having a game in hand.

San Gwann took the lead in the first minute of the game through Psaila from a cross by Alan Spiteri with the Maroons equalising on 14 minutes when Ian Buhagiar headed in from a Borg free-kick.

On resumption, San Gwann dictated matters and once again they took the lead when Colombo headed home in the 65th minute only for substitute Hashem Rhababh to equalise for Gzira in the 79th minute.

The match looked destined for a draw but in the 92nd minute Psaila headed home the winner from an Alan Spiteri cross to the utter disappointment of Gzira who are now in deep relegation trouble.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Qormi 5
Dingli Swallows 0

This was an easy win for Qormi with the main protagonist for them being former Dingli striker Michael Borg Olivier who notched a hat-trick.

Borg Olivier put his side ahead in the 28th minute with a header from close range. The same player doubled his team's lead six minutes later, this time with a low shot after a fine run.

Qormi maintained the upperhand after the break and on 56 minutes Andrea Bonnici made it 3-0 before Borg Olivier completed his hat-trick three minutes later.

Dingli's woes were compounded soon after when they had Jonathan Sapiano sent off for a second booking. Chris Ciappara then added another goal for good measure to make it 5-0.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Zebbug Rangers 0
Zurrieq 0

Zurrieq showed better qualities in this match but a draw was perhaps a just result as Zebbug never yielded an inch, especially in defence. This result leaves Zebbug in a mid-table position but Zurrieq are still languishing in the red zone.

Zebbug twice went close early on through Gordon Mallia but gradually Zurrieq came more in the picture with Rangers' 'keeper Pace saving well off efforts from Abdilla and Francalanza.

Zurrieq were the better team after the interval. Abdilla just missed with a header and in the 55th minute his low shot scraped the upright. With 11 minutes to go, Zurrieq's Josef Spiteri saw his shot hitting the bar.

Referee: Ian Miller.

Luqa 3
St Andrews 2

This was the first victory of the season for Luqa who took a deserved lead after 14 minutes thanks to James Galea's hard drive. Luqa increased their advantage soon after when Mark Said hit home after receiving a perfect pass from Keith Xuereb.

Alex Busuttil free-kick came off the Luqa woodwork but four minutes into the second period Jose Borg reduced the deficit for the Saints.

In the 64th minute Luqa restored their two-goal lead thanks to a Galea goal but six minutes later the Saints pulled a goal back when Stephen Falzon was on the right spot to bang in Busuttil's free-kick.

The Saints went surging forward in search of an equaliser but the Luqa rearguard held firm.

Referee: Alan Camilleri.

Division Three

Sta Lucija 2
Ghaxaq 2

Sta Lucija recovered from two goals down in this contest of mid-table sides. Ghaxaq took the lead in the 18th minute through Sandro Lapira and the same player was unlucky to see his powerful drive hitting the bar soon after.

The experienced Ray Sciberras made it 2-0 for Ghaxaq after 33 minutes as the Saints saved their best for the second half.

They went close on various occasions but on 74 minutes they finally reduced the arrears following an excellent Mario Galea strike. Eight minutes from time substitute Paul Bugeja scored a deserved equaliser for Sta Lucija.

Referee: Juergen Meli.

Pembroke Athleta 1
Zejtun Corinthians 3

Zejtun notched their fifth victory of the season as they continued with their challenge for promotion at the expense of lowly Pembroke.

A shot by Aquilina on the half-hour mark was saved by Zejtun keeper Fardell with the help of the upright but then an error from Pembroke goalie Grima Baldacchino led to Zejtun's opening goal scored by Andy Portelli.

Pembroke hotly disputed the referee's decision to allow the goal and had midfielder Wilfred Brincat sent off. Before the interval Mario Farrugia made it 2-0 and in the 61st minute Kenneth Bonnici headed in Zejtun's third.

Pembroke were awarded a penalty for a foul on Jeffrey Fenech on the stroke of time. George Muscat converted from the spot.

Referee: Kenneth Mercieca.

St George's 0
Birzebbuga 0

This clash between the top two teams finished in a goalless draw which meant that Birzebbuga retained sole leadership, one point ahead of St George's and Zejtun.

St George's created the first opportunity after ten minutes through Keith Darmanin's effort which was saved by Mifsud and in the 35th minute a Vince Camilleri shot was stopped by the alert Birzebbuga goalie.

Birzebbuga were close through Angelo Chetcuti with St George's creating the best scoring opportunity but Johan Spiteri's volley was saved by Mifsud.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Gharghur 2
Siggiewi 1

Gharghur staged an upset when they defeated Siggiewi to obtain their first victory and goals of the season.

Louis Buhagiar scored first for Siggiewi after 18 minutes but Gharghur applied some pressure and deservedly equalised in the 60th minute when Siggiewi defender Warren Valletta Tabone committed an own goal.

Jeremy Dalli was denied by the bar and the same Gharghur player then earned a penalty after he was tripped in the Siggiewi box. Kris Sargent's shot from the spot was however saved by Bonnici.

Four minutes from time Manolito Zammit scored the winner for Gharghur.

Referee: Malcolm Spiteri.

Kirkop United 2
Sirens 0

In a match played on Monday night, two Alistair Camilleri goals provided Kirkop with three precious points in their bid to maintain their challenge for a promotion berth.

Kirkop have now joined Sirens on the 13-point mark, just three points away from leaders Birzebbuga.

After a balanced opening half, Kirkop took the lead soon after the restart when Camilleri collected a pass from Duncan Micallef before hitting inside the Sirens' net.

In a swift counter-break in the 74th minute Camilleri was again on the path of a perfect Tyrone Bonnici through-ball to score his side's second goal.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.