Rabat Ajax maintained their perfect start to the BOV National League II campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Luqa St Andrew’s to move two points clear at the top of the table after Match Day 3.

Għargħur held Żejtun Corinthians to a 1-1 draw to remain unbeaten, while Għaxaq registered their second successive victory with a 3-1 win over Siġġiewi. Xgħajra Tornados, Msida St Joseph and Santa Venera Lightnings also collected maximum points, while St George’s and Kirkop United shared the spoils in a goalless draw.

Luqa St Andrew’s 1-2 Rabat Ajax

Rabat Ajax made it three wins from three after coming from behind to defeat Luqa St Andrew’s 2-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

The Magpies dominated the early stages and went close in the 21st minute when Cadu’s header struck the foot of the post.

However, Luqa took the lead against the run of play seven minutes later through Jake Peplow, whose low shot from the edge of the area beat the Rabat goalkeeper.

Jesmond Zammit’s side responded immediately after the break. Ryan Tonna equalised with a low drive in the 48th minute before John Awori headed home from a corner just two minutes later to complete a quick turnaround.

Awori was subsequently denied twice by Luqa goalkeeper Gerson Mifsud, while Luqa pushed forward in the closing stages without finding an equaliser.

With Żejtun dropping points against Għargħur, Rabat ended the matchday as the sole leaders with maximum points from their opening three matches.

Għargħur 1-1 Żejtun Corinthians

Għargħur continued their encouraging start by holding promotion contenders Żejtun Corinthians to a 1-1 draw at the Luxol Stadium.

Żejtun took the lead in the 38th minute through Matteo Tanti, who unleashed a powerful long-range effort which gave goalkeeper Julian Bartolo little chance.

Two minutes earlier, Żejtun substitute goalkeeper Andy Catania-Gilson had been sent off for dissent.

Għargħur emerged strongly after the interval and needed only two minutes to equalise, substitute Jamiu Hassan advancing into the penalty area before finishing with a low effort.

Żejtun pushed for a winner but were unable to break down Alan Friggieri’s side. Their frustration was compounded in stoppage time when Jamie Delia was shown a straight red card following an off-the-ball incident with Max Kirkbride.

Għargħur remain unbeaten after three matches with one victory and two draws.

Ta’ Xbiex 1-2 Xgħajra Tornados

Xgħajra Tornados returned to winning ways with a hard-earned 2-1 victory over 10-man Ta’ Xbiex.

Ta’ Xbiex were reduced to 10 players after only eight minutes when Neil Borg was dismissed after bringing down Miguel Busuttil as the Xgħajra player advanced towards goal.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Ta’ Xbiex took the lead from the penalty spot in the 28th minute after Nathan Belhadj was fouled by Mark Borg. Miguel Curmi converted the resulting penalty.

Xgħajra were level five minutes later when Juan-Karl Degiorgio headed home from Redheil Stivala’s corner.

The Tornados completed the turnaround seven minutes into the second half, Ogechukwu Ohalewe rising above the defence to head home from another corner.

Ta’ Xbiex nevertheless remained in contention and produced a late rally, but Xgħajra held on for the three points.

Għaxaq 3-1 Siġġiewi

Għaxaq registered their second successive victory after defeating 10-man Siġġiewi 3-1 at the Sirens Stadium.

Emanuel Briffa opened the scoring after 17 minutes with a well-placed effort following a cross from the left.

Siġġiewi almost equalised on the stroke of half-time when Ryan Dalli struck the crossbar, but they did draw level two minutes after the restart through substitute Jason Camilleri, who fired a superb effort from outside the area following Clyde Borg’s assist.

The match turned again in the 53rd minute when Siġġiewi substitute Kane Micallef was shown a straight red card for dissent.

Għaxaq eventually made their numerical advantage count when Julian Farrugia restored their lead from close range with seven minutes remaining.

Shamizen Buhagiar made certain of the points three minutes from time with Għaxaq’s third.

The match also marked a milestone for Siġġiewi captain Clayton Borg, who made his 200th official career appearance.

St George’s 0-0 Kirkop United

St George’s and Kirkop United maintained their unbeaten starts after playing out a goalless draw at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

Kirkop made the brighter start, with Juan Andres Viveros causing problems down the left and forcing an early save from Samuele Duzzi Nulli. Viveros then created a clear opportunity for Gareth Joyce, who fired over.

St George’s gradually took control and Andres Martinez went close before half-time, while his header struck the crossbar 11 minutes into the second half.

Kirkop had a golden opportunity of their own in the 78th minute, but Matthew Borg failed to convert after a quick counter-attack.

St George’s were reduced to 10 men five minutes later when goalkeeper Duzzi Nulli handled outside his penalty area while attempting to stop Viveros.

With all five substitutions already used, defender Kewell Saliba was forced to take over in goal and produced a couple of important saves to preserve the draw.

Mdina Knights 0-4 Msida St Joseph

Msida St Joseph cruised to a convincing 4-0 victory over Mdina Knights after scoring three times in a 16-minute spell during the first half.

Mdina could have taken the lead in the 18th minute when Jake Sciberras capitalised on a defensive error but fired over with only goalkeeper Clive Caruana to beat.

Two minutes later, Msida went ahead through Ian Zarb, who escaped his marker before finding the net with a precise low effort.

Nnaemeka Eziukwu doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute and struck again four minutes later with a powerful shot as Msida effectively settled the contest before the interval.

Matthew Schembri added the fourth in the 82nd minute following good work from Kurt Zahra.

Mdina finished the match with 10 men after Kyle Bonnici received a straight red card in the closing stages for a foul on Emerson Bonello.

Marsaskala 0-1 Santa Venera Lightnings

Santa Venera Lightnings recorded their first victory of the campaign after edging Marsaskala 1-0 at the Luxol Stadium.

Marsaskala enjoyed the better of the first half and created two good opportunities, with Mirko Golubovic firing over before debutant Chris Bohui missed a clear chance shortly before the interval.

However, Santa Venera took the lead against the run of play in the 45th minute.

Marsaskala goalkeeper Deisler Vella attempted to intercept a cross but inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net.

Marsaskala searched for an equaliser after the break but struggled to create clear opportunities, while Santa Venera’s Desire Koiba went close to doubling the advantage in the 74th minute following an impressive individual run.

The Lightnings comfortably protected their narrow advantage in the closing stages to secure their first three points of the season.