Nadur Youngsters and Għajnsielem, the main challengers for the title, both earned maximum spoils from their respective matches last weekend to go top of the GFA Division One.
The Youngsters and the Blacks are leading the way on seven points and are the only teams in the division who are still unbeaten.
The results of the weekend practically established a table which expresses the real potential of the eight teams, as it seems that the current joint-leaders Nadur Youngsters and Għajnsielem should not find much competition from any of the other six teams in the category.
The three teams behind them in the standings, Kerċem Ajax, Victoria Hotspurs and Xewkija Tigers are expected to battle for third spot while the remaining sides in the standings are expected to battle to avoid relegation.
Nadur Youngsters produced their best performance in the championship so far when they brushed aside Xewkija Tigers 7-0.
Nadur Youngsters took the lead early on through Brazilian forward Judivan and from then on they were always in control.
Nadur had to wait until the start of the second half to double their lead courtesy of a Stefan Cassar strike.
Marcelo Barbosa grabbed a quick-fire brace on 64 and 70 minutes before Judivan grabbed his second and his team’s fifth goal on 72 minutes.
Barbosa completed his hat-trick six minutes later before Jordi Parnis wrapped up their win on 87 minutes.
Għajnsielem broke little sweat to see off Kerċem Ajax 3-0 in a direct clash for top spot.
The Ajax came into the match on the back of two successive wins but could not match Għajnsielem’s superior quality.
Għajnsielem surged ahead on 41 minutes through skipper Kenneth Mercieca who fired home from close in.
The Blacks all but wrapped up their win with two goals at the start of the second half.
On 51 minutes they were awarded a penalty that was cooly converted by Igor Nedeljkovic and then Kenneth Mercieca made it 3-0 with an angled drive on 68 minutes.
Għajnsielem ended the match with ten men when substitute Dejan Bogdanovic was sent off for a foul on Sebastien Turizo.
Victoria Hotspurs bounced back from their defeat to Nadur Youngsters when they had the better over neighbouring rivals SK Victoria Wanderers 3-1.
No goals were scored in the first half but the Hotspurs took control on the restart when they raced into a three-goal lead.
Kebell Suso Kebba opened the score with a fine shot from outside the area on 53 minutes.
The Hotspurs were awarded a penalty when Oliver Curmi fouled Kakra Boakye-Mensa and from the spot Olimpio Fernandes made no mistake to make it 2-0.
The Hotspurs sealed the points 14 minutes from time when substitute Damon Hili rifled home his team’s third goal.
SK Victoria Wanderers managed to pull a goal back two minutes from time when Elkin Serrano Valero inadvertently deviated the ball into his own net following an Aud-Gustine James Obaje header.
Oratory Youths earned their first points of the campaign with a 3-0 win over Sannat Lions.
The Youths were more aggressive during the first half and opened a two-goal lead through a shot from outside the area by Rodrigo Ost Dos Santos on 23 minutes before Haraan Goncalves Barbosa made it 2-0 on 38 minutes.
The Youths grabbed a third goal in stoppage time through Goncalves Barbosa.
NEXT FIXTURES
PLAYING ON FRIDAY
Victoria H. vs Kerċem A. 19.00
PLAYING ON SATURDAY
Oratory Y. vs Għajnsielem 17.00
PLAYING ON SUNDAY
Xewkija T. vs SK Victoria 17.00
PLAYING MONDAY
Sannat L. vs Nadur Y. 19.00
