Former Msida St. Joseph striker Ariel Laudisi notched a hat-trick as Pembroke Athleta registered their first win with a most comfortable 4-0 score over Msida in one of the four matches from the BOV First Division on Saturday.
Another former Msida player, Ayrton Azzopardi, converted a penalty to put Pembroke ahead on 11 minutes. Laudisi doubled the score four minutes later and made it 3-0 on the half-hour. The Argentinean sealed the issue with another goal three minutes in the second half.
Gzira United joined Gudja United at the top with ten points thanks to a 3-2 win over St. George’s.
Moises Avila Perez put the Maroons ahead on 35 minutes. Goals by Noah Olawale Ojuola and Gabriel Okechukwu on 48 and 58 minutes turned the score in the Saints’ favour but Steve Meilak equalised on the 71st and seven minutes from time, Gabriel Aquilina notched the winner for Gzira.
Zurrieq bounced back from two defeats with a fine 3-0 win over Rabat Ajax. Osy Lucky Agboebina put Zurrieq ahead on 13 minutes. Stephen Azzopardi doubled the score on the 27th and two minutes from time, Aaron Agius added a third goal.
In another match, Lija Athletic came from behind to beat St. Andrews 3-2. Trayo Grozev put St. Andrews ahead after just four minutes with Abdullahi Ige Adeshina equalising four minutes later. Emiliano Lattes restored the lead for Luxol on the 18th. However Luca Casha made it 2-2 on 65 minutes and one minute in added time, Adeshina was on target once again to hand Joe Brincat’s side victory.
Gudja and Gzira lead the way with 10 points, followed by Mqabba, Lija and Melita on 9, Vittoriosa and St. Andrews 7, Fgura, Zurrieq, St. George’s and Msida 6, Pembroke 5, Rabat 2 and Birzebbuga 1.