Swieqi United failed to leapfrog leaders Valletta St Paul’s to the top of the MAFA First Division league table when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Senglea Gunners.
Therefore the Citizens remained in first place in the table despite having a game less than their opponents. It was a very cagey encounter with both sides more focused on defending rather than attacking. Swieqi were very close to score the winning goal but striker Lucas dos Santos shot the ball high. With this draw, the Cottonera side remained in penultimate place in the standings in a fight against relegation which promises to be a tough one with four teams involved. Referee: Peter Abela. Balluta Barracudas were seconds away from returning to winning ways but were held to a 1-1 draw against Valletta Stars St Dominic. It was a very interesting game with the Cudas who gave their all throughout the game and with the Citizens who acted on the counter.
Balluta Barracudas went ahead in the 23rd minute through Kain Gauci. Valletta Stars St Dominic kept trying and it was only on injury time given by the referee that they equalized through Mohammed Abdukadir. Referee: Karl Galea. In the second division, Għaxaq Wolves were promoted to the First Division championship when they defeated the tough challenge of Attard Edex Kings 2-0. They also need one point to be declared as champions. In the first half Attard were tenacious and started to pick up a lot of balls in the direction of Għaxaq goalkeeper Oliver Grixti. However, in the second half, the Wolves surged ahead on 48 minutes when Abeeb Williams headed down to Sebastian Nayar who beat Manu with a low shot. Two minutes later, Għaxaq made it two when it was the same Nayar who took charge of a free kick and who surprised Manu for the second time. Referee: Godwin Barbara. Zebbuġ Youngsters achieved a very important victory in the attempt to save their place in the second division after beating Gudja Wanderers 2-0.
This was a very crucial victory for the Youngsters who were in the last place of the table until this match. Sean Lanzon put them on top in the 29th minute in the dying minutes of the game, it was Jason Woodhead who assured his team of the three final points. For Gudja this was the fifth seasonal loss. Referee: Alex Grech. Ħamrun Amateurs achieved another good victory of 3-0 against Mosta Vikings in order to strengthen their place at the top of the table. Hamrun went on top after 18 minutes through the prolific scorer Hajy Semu Maher so that in the second half Andriy Camilleri and Mauro Busuttil added two more goals for the Amateurs. Referee: Jean Pierre Mifsud.
Standings – MAFA First Division
Valletta St Paul’s 19, Swieqi Braves 18, San Ġwann Pro Evolution Academy 13, Marsa St Michael ,San Ġiljan Saints 12, Balluta Barracudas 12, Senglea Gunners 11, Valletta Stars 7.
Standings – MAFA Second Division
Għaxaq Wolves 28, Attard Edex Kings 16, Ta’ Ġiorni Wanderers 14, Mqabba Albions 12, Żebbuġ Youngsters 9, Gudja Wanderers 8, Birkirkara St Joseph, Buġibba Club de SWAT 7.
Standings – MAFA Third Division
Ħamrun Amateurs 20, Ħal Far Titans 16, Kalkara Flames 8, Naxxar Victorians 6, Mosta Vikings 2
