Sannat Lions and SK Victoria secure important victories

Sannat Lions and SK Victoria Wanderers picked up crucial victories over Oratory Youths and Xagħra United respectively last weekend.

For the Lions, this was the third consecutive win in the GFA Division One and have now moved to a safer position in the standings.

On the other hand, SK Victoria Wanderers earned their first points in the championship after edging past Xagħra United by the odd goal in three to move away from bottom spot in the standings for the first time this season.

The match between Sannat Lions and Oratory Youths was a well-contested affair as the two sides prevailed over each other during a spell in the match. 

Sannat were the better side during the first half and managed to open a two-goal lead, albeit they also missed a series of scoring opportunities which could have put the match beyond Oratory’s reach.

Debutant Hugo Santa Rosa Cruz opened the score in the second minute when he took advantage of some hesitation by Oratory’s goalkeeper and deposited the ball into an open goal.

Brandon Said doubled the score on 29 minutes with a close-range shot after he was set up by Santa Rosa Cruz.

Oratory produced a strong reaction after the break and re-opened the issue with a fine curling shot by Eric Gauci on 70 minutes.

However, Oratory failed to capitalise from their best scoring opportunities during the final stages of the match as they crashed to their fifth defeat in the championship.

SK Victoria Wanderers paved the way to their first win in the championship with a goal scored in each half against Xagħra United.

The Citizens opened the score in the first minute through a low drive by Aud-Gustine James Obaje.  Xagħra tried hard to recover and for most of the match they saw more of the ball. 

However, the Wanderers defended well and were also more dangerous with swift counter-attacks. 

Obaje doubled the score on 53 minutes with a low shot after receiving from Emerson Zammit. 

On 77 minutes, the Wanderers had Ajibade Adesina sent off for a second bookable offence and Xagħra managed to pull one goal back on 89 minutes through a tap in by Johann Bajada. The latter took the ball from a short clearance by Victoria’s Kersten Grima from the fatal line following a shot by debutant Filipe Rodrigues De Souza Santos.

Division Two

GFA Division Two leaders Qala Saints extended their lead at the top of the standings leadership with a 2-1 win over bottom-placed St Lawrence Spurs. 

The Spurs produced their best performance so far in the campaign and as a result Qala found it more difficult than expected to obtain the win. 

The Maroons opened a two-goal lead through Ralph Ebube Okpokwu (53) and Stefan Farrugia (68).

St Lawrence scored their consolation goal in the second minute of stoppage time through a fine shot from outside the area by Karl Formosa.

Żebbuġ Rovers registered the double over Munxar Falcons with a win by the odd goal in three to leapfrog their opponents into second place in the table.

Munxar enjoyed territorial supremacy during the first half but missed their best opportunities to take the lead. 

Żebbuġ opened the score on 59 minutes through a lob by Lucas Farrugia but Munxar levelled the score on 72 minutes from an Ayesller Carvalho penalty. 

Żebbuġ, however, scored the goal that decided the issue on 79 minutes through a low shot by Matthias Michael Uzor.

NEXT FIXTURES

PLAYING SATURDAY

GFA Division Two

KERĊEM STADIUM

Żebbuġ R. vs Għarb R. 12.30

GFA Division One

GOZO STADIUM

Kerċem Ajax vs Xagħra              15.00

PLAYING SUNDAY

GFA Division Two

KERĊEM STADIUM

Qala Saints vs Munxar F.          12.30

GFA Division One

Gozo Stadium

Għajnsielem vs Victoria H         15.00

PLAYING MONDAY

GFA Division One

GOZO STADIUM

SK Victoria W. vs Oratory         19.00