Leaders Sta. Venera Lightnings moved a step closer to promotion as they found no difficulty in beating Ghaxaq 4-1 at the Charles Abela Stadium in one of the four BOV Third Division matches in programme on Sunday.

Eddie Wileman opened the score on the 15th and WiIliam Camilleri made it 2-0 on the 28th. Wileman increased the lead four minutes in the second half and although Dean Agius reduced the gap on the 82nd, Matthew Fenech made it 4-1 one minute later.

Mellieha kept the pace with the leaders thanks to a narrow win over Dingli Swallows at the Charles Abela Stadium, courtesy of Jean Scholey just before the end of the first half.

At the Sirens Stadium, goals by Ibrahim Tarek on the 18th minute and Josef Felice on the 49th gave Zurrieq a surprise win over Msida St. Joseph.

In another match, a goal by Karl Caruana on the 67th minute gave Kirkop United a narrow win over Marsaskala at the Sirens Stadium.

Sta. Venera lead the way with 44 points, followed by Mellieha on 41, Xghajra and Kirkop 35, Msida 29, Mdina 27, Ghaxaq 22, Dingli and Zurrieq 21, Mtarfa 14, Ta’ Xbiex and Marsaskala 8.