Rabat's relegation worries deepen

Rabat Ajax 1
Vittoriosa Stars 2

Vittoriosa Stars continued with their steady climb up the standings but this latest upset left Rabat Ajax still firmly anchored in the bottom place of the standings, one point behind Sta Venera who have a game in hand.

The Magpies were first to venture forward in search of an opening goal.

A Josef Tonna shot was cleared off the line by Aaron Ancilleri but after 16 minutes Michael Micallef hit home from a corner to put Rabat ahead.

However, Rabat's joy was short-lived as only four minutes later the Stars had drawn level thanks to a Charles Cachia goal.

Vittoriosa were now showing the brighter ideas. Eight minutes from the break the referee red-carded Rabat substitute Alan Zahra for passing remarks to the assistant referee.

Play was balanced after the break but 18 minutes from time Keith Xuereb scored the goal that mattered from a free-kick.

Vittoriosa's day was somewhat marred in stoppage time when Ancilleri was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Referee: Alex Arena.

Dingli Swallows 0
Tarxien Rainbows 0

This was a deserved point for struggling Dingli Swallows against promotion-seekers Tarxien Rainbows. Perhaps, the man of the match was Dingli's central defender Robert Agius who was an inspiration to his team-mates throughout the match.

Dingli had strikers Jeremy Agius and Aldrin Muscat tormenting the Tarxien rearguard early on. Muscat hit just wide from an Agius pass with the Rainbows replying on the half-hour when a Chris Borg shot from close in was blocked by Jeffrey Farrugia. Then the Dingli keeper twice denied Borg and Simon Shead.

During the second period Tarxien dictated the run of play and were unlucky when on two occasions the ball beat the Dingli no.1 but hit the post following efforts by Borg.

Referee: Edward Spiteri.

Division Three

Zejtun Corinthians 6
Ghaxaq 0

Ghaxaq played adequately well in defence during the first period but were completely outclassed after the interval by a superior Zejtun side which scored six times, with Mario Farrugia obtaining a hat-trick.

Zejtun were unlucky to see a Marco Gerada free-kick stopped by the woodwork in the opening 45 minutes but they totally dominated proceedings after the break scoring goals at regular intervals.

Farrugia gave his team a double lead before Gerada made it 3-0 from a direct free-kick in the 77th minute.

Zejtun's dominance continued and they managed to score three other goals in the last ten minutes through Jesmar Abela, Vince Camilleri and Farrugia.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

Zurrieq 0
Luqa St Andrews 1

A second-half Clive Psaila goal was enough for Luqa to beat Zurrieq, the latter suffering their third defeat.

The first half was a drab affair with both defences dominating the proceedings.

Early on in the second half Luqa wasted an easy opportunity through Charlo Debattista but in the 50th minute they scored the winner when Psaila's free-kick deceived the Reds keeper.

Despite Zurrieq's bold reaction, Luqa managed to hold on to their slender lead and they could have even added their score as a low shot by Lee Baldacchino hit the upright.

Referee: George Bitri.