Nadur Youngsters battled more than expected to see off Sannat Lions in the final match of Match Day 11 from the GFA Division One last weekend.
The Youngsters secured a 2-0 win over the Lions courtesy of late goals so that at this stage of the championship they have a nine-point lead over their closest rivals.
Nadur saw more of the ball throughout the 90 minutes, but their forwards were very erratic and as time passed by Sannat grew in confidence and seemed heading towards obtaining another surprising result.
Sannat Lions almost stunned their more-quoted opponents during the second period but a goal by Nebojsa Biculjevic following a free kick was disallowed for an offside infringement.
Nadur’s continuous pressure was finally rewarded on 76 minutes when they took the lead through a header by Joseph Zammit following a corner action.
Nadur kept pushing forward in the final minutes and sealed the win in the first minute of stoppage time through a strike by Ederson Bruno Domingos.
Victoria Hotspurs also confirmed their good moment of form as they obtained a 3-1 win over Kerċem Ajax.
With this result the Hotspurs practically moved away from the relegation zone, as they climbed to fourth place in the table and are now aiming to challenge the same Kerċem for the third spot.
The match between Kerċem and Victoria Hotspurs was well contested as each side prevailed over the other for a half each.
The Hotspurs surprised Kerċem and opened the score in the second minute of play through a strike by Andrea Debrincat.
Kerċem were not demoralised and fought back strongly as they managed to take control of proceedings for the rest of the half.
The Ajax failed to fully capitalise from their scoring opportunities and only managed to level the score through a header by Nicholas Inguanez on 28 minutes following a corner action.
The Hotspurs came out in a better shape after the break and dictated matters until the end of the encounter.
On 56 minutes, the Hotspurs regained the lead through a low drive by Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes.
Thirteen minutes from time, the Citizens were awarded a penalty, for a foul by Daniel Cassar on the same Fernandes, and Henrique De Souza Maciel cooly converted from the spot to seal the Hotspurs’ victory.
In the other top-flight match, bottom placed SK Victoria Wanderers re-opened their hopes to avoid the drop with a crucial 2-0 win over Xewkija Tigers.
With this result the last four teams in the standings are grouped in the space of five points.
Play was quite balanced for most of the first half where both Victoria and Xewkija missed some good scoring opportunities.
The Wanderers, however, opened the score on 48 minutes.
They were awarded a penalty for a foul by Martin Hrubsa on Aud-Gustine James Obaje, and Fabricio Rozkiewicz fired the ball home.
Xewkija tried to produce a reaction but suffered a setback on 61 minutes when Haruna Shodija Shola was shown a red card for retaliation.
From the resultant free-kick, Elton Da Silva’s effort came off the crossbar.
Despite being with a player less, Xewkija increased their efforts to get back into the match.
But nine minutes from time the Wanderers killed off the match when in a swift break Obaje had his shot partially saved by goalkeeper Kyle
Attard and from the rebound skipper Nicholas Vella stabbed home.
Qala Saints win
Qala Saints confirmed their status as hot favourites to win promotion this season with a fine performance and a deserved 4-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs.
Qala were determined to make up for the disappointing draw in the corresponding first-round fixture and dominated the encounter.
Qala’s win matured with two goals scored in each half.
Brandon Said opened the score on 20 minutes before Ralph Ebube Okpokwu doubled the score on 34 minutes.
The Spurs could not fight back and the Maroons added a third goal on 55 minutes through Brandon Said.
Just past the hour, St Lawrence player Daniel Micallef inadvertently deflected the ball into his own goal after a defensive melee.
On 78 minutes Qala had substitute Michael Zerafa sent off for denying a scoring opportunity to Alen Haska.
Munxar Falcons kept alive their promotion hopes when they brushed aside Għarb Rangers 3-1.
Għarb took the lead against the run of play on 45 minutes when Munxar’s defender Christopher Gafa headed into his own net in an attempt to clear the danger.
Munxar, however, turned the result in their favour with three goals scored after the break through a brace by Ayesller Carvalho (65, 90) and a goal by Luke Portelli.
NEXT FIXTURES
PLAYING ON FRIDAY
GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Oratory Y. vs Nadur Y. 19.00
PLAYING ON SATURDAY
KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA DIVISION TWO
St Lawrence S. vs Żebbuġ 12.30
GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Victoria H. vs Għajnsielem 15.00
PLAYING ON SUNDAY
KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA DIVISION TWO
Għarb Rangers vs Xagħra 12.30
GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Xewkija T. vs Kercem A. 15.00
