Qala Saints beat Għajnsielem to join Nadur Youngsters at the top

Qala Saints confirmed their impressive start to the season when they scored an impressive 4-0 victory over Għajnsielem last weekend. With this win, the Saints have joined Nadur Youngsters at the top of the standings.

Qala produced a stunning display as they dominated their opponents for much of the match even when they found themselves with a player less.

Għajnsielem were expected to take all three points from this match and boost their credentials as title challengers. However, the Blacks failed to perform on the day as they conceded their third defeat of the season.

Qala took the lead on 25 minutes through a low shot by Jordi Parnis.

The Saints suffered a blow on the stroke of half-time when they had Manwel Xerri dismissed for a second bookable offence.

After the break, Għajnsielem failed to profit from their numerical advantage and Qala managed to extend their lead with goals from Lawrence Grima (62) and Joseph Buttigieg (68). 

Numerical parity was restored on 71 minutes when Għajnsielem had Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa dismissed for a rush challenge. 

Qala sealed the win a minute when Rafael Prudente hit a low drive that rolled into the net.

In the main match of the weekend, Nadur Youngsters and Kerċem Ajax shared the spoils in a goalless draw.

The result kept Nadur at the top of the standings alongside Qala Saints and holding a two-point advantage over the Ajax, who however, have a game in hand.

The match was evenly-balanced but the two defensive departments prevailed over the opposing strikers as scoring chances were few and far between.

The best scoring opportunities arrived in the first half with Nadur going close through Predrag Djordjevic and Igor Nedeljkovic.

On the other hand, the Ajax threatened with efforts from Pablo Vinicius Ferreira and Bruno Da Cruz.

Xewkija Tigers secured a 1-0 win over Oratory Youths to consolidate their mid-table position.  This was Xewkija’s third league win and will surely boost their hopes of a top placing this season.

For much of the match, both teams struggled to create scoring opportunities.

The goal that decided the issue arrived on 84 minutes through a close-range header by Rodney Buttigieg following a cross by Damir Andelovic.

In the other top-flight match last weekend, Sannat Lions and Victoria Hotspurs took a point each following a 1-1 draw.

For the Hotspurs this was their first point in the league this season while Sannat registered their third positive result. 

Sannat opened the score on 44 minutes through a low shot by Sebastien Martinez Turizo.

The Hotspurs missed a olden scoring opportunity to level the score on 62 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Andrew Attard on Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes.

But Fernandes saw his shot saved by Sannat goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg. 

The Hotspurs managed to salvage a point on 72 minutes when Damon Hili grabbed the equaliser.

Both teams ended the match with ten men as Christian Dingli, of Sannat, and Dimitri Christian Kassekar, of Victoria Hotspurs were both dismissed for a second bookable offence.

In stoppage time, Victoria coach Chris Buttigieg, who was leading the team for the first time after several years, was also sent off from the bench. 

NEXT FIXTURES

GFA DIVISION ONE

PLAYING ON FRIDAY

Gozo Stadium

Xewkija T. vs Qala Saints          18.00

Nadur Y. vs Sannat Lions          20.00

PLAYING ON SATURDAY

Gozo Stadium

Victoria H. vs Oratory Y.            14.00

Għajnsielem vs Kerċem             16.00

PLAYING ON SUNDAY

GFA DIVISION TWO

Kerċem Stadium

Xaghra vs SK Victoria W.           14.00

Għarb R. vs Munxar F. 16.15