Nadur Youngsters beat Xewkija Tigers to secure 13th league title

Nadur Youngsters took full advantage from Għajnsielem’s defeat to Kerċem Ajax to brush aside Xewkija Tigers 5-1 and be declared as the new Gozitan champions as they took an unassailable 13-point lead at the top of the Gozo FA Division One.

For the Youngsters, this was their 13th title crown in their club history and went level with Victoria Hotspurs as the club with the highest number of titles in Gozitan football.

Nadur dominated the match against the Tigers and opened the score after only 24 seconds of play through a low drive by Jordi Parnis. 

Nadur kept up the pressure on Xewkija’s defence and were unlucky not to double their lead when Judivan’s shot came off the post.

Xewkija punished Nadur’s profligacy in front of goal when Elton Da Silva levelled matters on 16 minutes. 

Nadur soon regained command of play and went on to score four times without reply. Judivan made it 2-1 on 27 minutes and two minutes later Marcelo Barbosa added a third.

Nine minutes into the second half, Nadur were awarded a penalty for a foul by Josiah Buttigieg on Gennaro Hili and Ederson made no mistake from the spot.

On 59 minutes, Judivan sealed his team’s win with a fifth goal.

Kerċem Ajax re-ignited their hopes of finishing as runners-up when they edged past Għajnsielem 1-0.

The match was evenly-balanced with both sides creating good scoring opportunities. 

During the first half, Kerċem came close to breaking the stalemate as they had two efforts coming off the woodwork.

The Ajax managed to score the winner on 69 minutes when Wesley raced past four opponents before firing the ball home with a low shot.

Oratory Youths all but ascertained themselves of playing top-flight football next season when they eased past Sannat Lions 3-0.

Oratory were the better side throughout and bagged all three points with goals from Daniel Atzori (22), a penalty converted by Pablo Vinicius De Moraes Ferreira (69) and Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa (85). 

Sannat were reduced to ten players when Daniel Borg was sent off after receiving the second caution.

Victoria Hotspurs consolidated their fourth place in the standings with a 1-0 win over bottom-placed SK Victoria Wanderers.

The goal that decided the issue arrived from a Robinson Blandon Rendon free-kick on 43 minutes.

The match ended on a bad note as both sides had a player sent off in the third minute of stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card. 

Wanderers player Neil Camilleri and Oliver Cremona, of Victoria Hotspurs, kept fighting on their way to the dressing room and the match ended up being suspended for around eight minutes until calm was restored.

GFA Division Two

Newly crowned champions Qala Saints remained on course to complete their league campaign undefeated when they overcame Munxar Falcons 1-0. 

Qala produced more offensive play and obtained their 12th win with a goal scored by Ralph Ebube Okpokwu on 51 minutes.

Żebbuġ Rovers retained third spot in the standings after overcoming St Lawrence Spurs 4-2.

Eric Gauci took Żebbuġ Rovers an early lead after four minutes of play.

But the Spurs levelled matters through Alen Haska (11). 

Żebbuġ regained the lead on the hour mark with a goal scored by Orlando Atzori but St Lawrence once again scored the equaliser through Charles Mercieca. 

The Rovers managed to clinch the win by scoring two goals late on through Nathan John Cini (85) and Daniel Mesa Pineros (90).

Xagħra United obtained a 2-0 win over Għarb Rangers to ensure they avoid finishing at the bottom of the standings.

Xagħra’s win came from a penalty converted by Matthias Cordina (36) and Tristen Agius (81).

NEXT FIXTURES

MARCH 31

KERĊEM STADIUM

GFA DIVISION TWO

Munxar F. vs Żebbuġ R.             12.00

Għarb vs Qala Saints   14.15

GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION ONE

Victoria H. vs Kerċem 16.00

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION ONE

Sannat Lions vs Nadur Y.          19.00

MONDAY, APRIL 4

GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION ONE

Xewkija T. vs SK Victoria           19.00

TUESDAY, APRIL 5

KERĊEM STADIUM

GFA DIVISION TWO KO

Xagħra vs Għarb Rangers         18.30

GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION ONE

Oratory vs Għajnsielem            19.00