With one game to go, Pembroke Athleta moved two points clear of St. Andrews in the BOV First Division as they defeated Zurrieq with St. Andrews being held in a draw by St. George’s.

In their final league games next week, Pembroke and St. Andrews face two teams who are still chasing the third place and hence the Premier League play-off spot as Pembroke take on St. George’s and St. Andrews face neighbours Melita in the derby. Apart from Melita and St. George’s. Another two teams chasing the third place – Gudja United and Gzira United face Lija Athletic and Mqabba respectively.

Pembroke Athleta defeated Zurrieq 4-1. Following this result and Rabat’s win over Lija, Zurrieq were relegated to Division 2.

Ariel Laudisi opened the score for Pembroke on the 13th minute and the same player doubled the score eight minutes from the end of the first half when he converted a penalty. Abubakar Bello-Osagie increased the lead on the 72nd and Ayrton Azzopardi made it 4-0 nine minutes from time. Six minutes later, Joseph JoJo Ogunuppe scored a consolation goal for Zurrieq.

St. Andrews were held in a 1-1 draw by St. George’s. Brandon Muscat put the Cospicua side ahead late in the first half but Matteo Desira Buttigieg equalised after the break.

Rabat Ajax secured their First Division status thanks to a 3-1 win over Lija Athletic. Beppe Antignolo put Lija ahead on 29 minutes but Aidan Azzopardi equalised on the 67th. Wayne Borg made it 2-1 for the Magpies two minutes later with Lawrence Chiedozie scoring the third and final goal seven minutes from time.

Gudja United registered a comfortable 6-2 win over Msida St. Joseph. Peter Paul Sammut put Gudja ahead after just two minutes and three minutes later, Angelo Catania doubled the score. Stacey Vella reduced the gap on the 7th and Zvezdan Vukovic converted a penalty to equalise on the 22nd. Gudja however survived this shock and regained the lead thanks to Joselito dos Reis two minutes in the second half. Peter Paul Sammut increased the lead with goals on the 71st and 84th before substitute Brendon Saliba sealed the issue with another goal one minute from time.

Pembroke lead the way with 52 points, followed by St. Andrews on 50, Melita 44, Gzira 42, Gudja and St. George’s 41, Fgura 40, Vittoriosa 38, Mqabba 36, Lija 35, Rabat 26, Zurrieq 19, Msida 15 and Birzebbuga 12.