Gozo FC and St Venera Lightings started their campaign on a positive note and earned a point each from a draw of two goals.  Overall the result is quite just as each team prevailed over the other for a half each.  The match produced some interesting play as the Saints had some good possession during the first period.  However, they did not manage to transform their superiority into scoring opportunities and only managed to take the lead form a penalty.  On the other hand Gozo were the better side after the break.  They increased pressure over the opponents as time passed by and created enough scoring opportunities that they could have turned the result in their favour. 

   The visitors saw more of the ball during the early stages and held the initiative of play.  However, the Gozitans managed to control well and kept danger away from their area.  The Saints opened the score in their first serious approach in the Gozitan area in the 19^th minute.  Mark Grech entered from the right flank and was floored by Brian Meilak.  The referee awarded a penalty and skipper Stefan Farrugia converted from the spot kick to put his side in the lead.  The hosts had a good reaction and in the 21^st minute Anthony Portelli headed wide a cross by Josef Buttigieg.  On the half hour a free kick by Brian Meilak was well blocked by goalie John Agius and two minutes later another set-piece by Meilak ended just wide. On 36 minutes a cross shot by Daniel Farrugia almost surprised goalie Agius.  The Saints replied in the 38^th minute with a long ranged strike by Jeffrey Zammit that was neutralized by goalie Steve Sultana.  The same Zammit was denied from doubling the score four minutes later when Gozo’s goalie saved his shot directly from a free kick.  Gozo had their best opportunity to level the score two minutes form half time when a cross by Josef Buttigieg arrived to an unmarked Anthony Portelli but the striker concluded weak and goalie Agius saved the danger.

   Gozo came out more aggressive for the second period and in the 47^th minute a long ranged shot by Daniel Farrugia was saved in two attempts by goalie Agius.  The same goalkeeper was called to make a good save five minutes later following a free kick by Mario Mifsud.  Gozo were unlucky in the 64^th minute.  A cross by substitute Christian Bugeja was headed by Kenneth Mercieca and the ball arrived to Manwel Cordina who saw his effort deflected on the crossbar by goalie Agius.  Gozo kept insisting but the Saints were dangerous on 71 minutes when a free kick by Stefan Farrugia passed in front of an open goal without any other striker who was ready for the tap in.  However, Gozo scored the deserved equaliser in the 80^th minute.  Manwel Cordina won a ball at the edge of the area, dribbled his direct opponent and placed behind substitute goalkeeper Franklin Azzopardi with a low shot.  Four minutes later a low shot from outside the area by Josef Buttigieg ended inches wide and one minute later Mark Muscat cleared off St. Venera’s goal, with the goalkeeper beaten, an effort by substitute Christian Bugeja.  The visitors could have obtained a dramatic victory in the first minute of stoppage time but substitute Carl Azzopardi saw his angled shot hitting the side of the net.