Leaders St Venera win tight encounter

Xghajra Tornados suffered a setback in their promotion hopes when they were surprisingly held to a 2-2 by Dingli Swallows in the first match at the Charles Abela Stadium on Sunday.

The Tornados appeared to be cruising through goals by Gabriel Bonavia and Noel Tabone on 47 and 68 minutes respectively. But Dingli came storming back through Mark Vassallo and Matthew Borg who scored deep in stoppage time.

Mdina Knights kept their faint promotion hopes alive when they beat bottom club Ta’ Xbiex by four goals to one in the first match at the Sirens Stadium on Saturday. Donovan Micallef gave Ta’ Xbiex the lead on 14 minutes but Mdina came back strongly with a brace from Mark Saliba on 32 and 57 minutes, and strikes by Sam Bartolo and Yaron Sammut on 34 and 48 minutes respectively.

St Venera Lightnings confirmed top spot in the table when they beat Marsascala by two goals to one in a tight encounter at the Luxol Stadium on Saturday. Chris Vella put the Lightnings ahead after just 5 minutes with Juan Gatt equalising for the South seasiders on 11 minutes. William Camilleri scored what proved to be the winning goal on 17 minutes from the penalty spot.

Kirkop United and Msida St Joseph lost ground at the top when they featured in a goalless draw in the second match at the Luxol Stadium on Saturday. Mellieha returned to winning ways to remain within three points of Santa Venera with an easy 3-0 victory over Zurrieq. Jack Vella on 25 minutes, Jean Scholey on 35 minutes and Jordan Debattista on 62 minutes sealed the win for the Northerners.

In a match from the bottom half of the table, Ghaxaq beat Mtarfa with goals coming from a penalty by Ian Calleja on 59 minutes and a strike by Dean Agius on 74 minutes.

Results

Dingli S-Xghajra T. 2-2 Mtarfa-Ghaxaq 0-2 Sta. Venera-Marsaskala 2-1 Msida SJ-Kirkop U 0-0 Ta' Xbiex-Mdina K 1-4 Zurrieq-Mellieha 0-3