Nadur Youngsters beat Qala Saints to go top of GFA Division One

Nadur Youngsters recovered from last week’s unexpected defeat to Xewkija Tigers when they had the better of league leaders Qala Saints 2-0 and regain sole leadership in the standings.

Nadur took control from the early stages but struggled to create scoring opportunities.

The Youngsters had to wait until the 37th minute to take the lead. Lucas Baretto Da Silva hit a low drive that rolled past the Qala goalkeeper.

Qala were not demoralised and seconds before half time they protested for a penalty following a challenge by Ian Xuereb on Suzuki Bicudo but the referee waved play on.

The Maroons increased their efforts after the break in an attempt to save the result but on 79 minutes Nadur sealed their win when grabbing a second goal through a long-range strike from Gennaro Hili that surprised the goalkeeper.

After back-to-back defeats in their last outings, Għajnsielem were back to winning ways when they edged Xewkija 1-0.

Għajnsielem enjoyed territorial supremacy for long stretches but Xewkija were well deployed and most of the time they kept their opponents at bay.

The Blacks scored the goal that decided the issue on 63 minutes, from a penalty awarded for a foul by Carlo Abela on Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa. Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos made no mistake from the spot.

Sannat Lions and Oratory Youths shared four goals to remain tied at second from bottom, level on points.

Oratory Youths will rue their failure to take all points as they led twice and missed some scoring opportunities to put the game beyond their opponents’ reach. Instead, they ended up conceding Sannat’s equaliser.

The Youths opened the score on 19 minutes with a low shot by Haraan Goncalves Barbosa.

Sannat levelled the score with a fine strike by Sebastien Martinez Turizo on 35 minutes. 

Challenge Cup

Five minutes later Oratory were back in the lead with another goal scored by Barbosa.

The Lions managed to salvage a point with a second equaliser netted by Sebastien Martinen Turizo directly from a free-kick six minutes from time.

SK Victoria Wanderers completed their first phase commitments from the Division Two Challenge Cup with a 4-1 win over Xagħra United to finish on maximum points.

The Wanderers and Xagħra were already mathematically qualified for the final before this match after winning their previous four matches.

The Rabat side’s hero was Aud-Gustine James Obaje who netted a hat-trick (7, 49, 82) while the other goal arrived through Joseph George Vella (52).

Xagħra’s goal came from Joel Xuereb on 25 minutes.

In the other matches, Munxar Falcons and St Lawrence Spurs cancelled each other in a goalless draw.

Żebbug Rovers grabbed a 1-0 win over Għarb Rangers with a goal scored by Lorenzo Atzori (79). 

With these results, Munxar ended the round in third place with five points, followed by Żebbug with four points while St Lawrence Spurs and Għarb Rangers finished at the bottom of the table with two points apiece.

NEXT FIXTURES

GFA DIVISION ONE

PLAYING ON FRIDAY

Gozo Stadium

Sannat L. vs Victoria H.             18.00

Oratory Y. vs Xewkija T.            20.00

PLAYING ON SUNDAY

Gozo Stadium

Nadur Y. vs Kerċem Ajax           14.00

Qala vs Għajnsielem   16.00