Melita end Saints' unbeaten start

Melita AFC 1
St Andrews FC 0

Melita played their best match so far this season to upset St Andrews thanks to a Gregory Degabriele free-kick.

Their victory last weekend not only spoiled St Andrews unbeaten start, it sent the Amateurs top of the Division Two table.

Melita were the more offensive team for most of the first half, going close through efforts from Matthew Borg, Degabriele, Steve Magri and Daniel Gravino.

They had to wait until seven minutes into the second period to score what proved to be the winning goal courtesy of Degabriele's well-taken free-kick.

Melita maintained the upperhand but 18 minutes from time they suffered a setback when Antoine Briffa was sent off for a late tackle on Andrea Zammit Tabona.

Although the Saints created a few scoring opportunities, they failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage against a well-organised Melita team who may have added a second goal had Steve Magri's low shot not missed the target by a whisker.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Gzira United 1
Rabat Ajax 1

Rabat Ajax gave a good performance but had to settle for a point in a match that saw referee Alex Arena send off two players, Rabat defender Josef Tonna and Gzira's debutant striker Alan Spiteri.

Twenty six minutes into the game, Gzira took the lead through a Hashem Rhababh free-kick but four minutes later, Rabat equalised through William Borg following a good move by Chris Schembri.

Rabat continued to show the better ideas, producing good opportunities through Michael Micallef, Borg and Dunstan Saliba.

On 62 minutes, Gzira goalkeeper Sandro Micallef pulled off a fine save to deny Saliba. But two minutes later, Rabat were reduced to ten men after Tonna was sent off for a second caution.

At the other end, Rabat's 'keeper James Borg denied Hashem and Steve Barbara. Six minutes from time, Gzira's Spiteri was shown a red card for a crude foul on Darren Galea.

Referee: Alex Arena.

Dingli Swallows 1
Zebbug Rangers 1

Bruce Genovese struck a late goal to save a point for Zebbug Rovers from their match against Dingli.

Dingli were the better team but Rangers' goalkeeper Philip Attard blocked efforts from Charles Azzopardi and Victor Fiteni.

Both sides continued to carve out goalscoring openings before Dingli snatched the lead on 66 minutes.

Atoning for his earlier miss when his close-range attempt hit the upright, Anthony Brignone found the net from a cross by Etienne Farrugia.

Zebbug staged an immediate reaction which yielded a deserved equaliser when Genovese headed home from Neil Francalanza's indirect free-kick.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Mellieha 2
Vittoriosa Stars 1

First-half goals from Wayne Borg St John and Mario Debono handed Mellieha their second successive victory, this time at the expense of Vittoriosa.

Mellieha were ahead after just 12 minutes, Borg St John concluding home from a cross by Debono.

Vittoriosa's reply produced two dangerous efforts by James Galea and Robert Adami but in a swift counter-attack in the 24th minute, Debono made it 2-0 for the northerners.

Mellieha goalkeeper David Vella saved a close-range header by Silvan Privitelli and a Robert Adami free-kick ended wide as Vittoriosa toiled to get back into contention.

After the restart, Vittoriosa continued to press forward but were rather confused in their ideas. They managed to half the deficit through Galea following a cross by Adami. It was only late in the match that Vittoriosa threatened to salvage a draw with efforts from Sandro Calleja and Charles Cachia.

Referee: Marco Borg.