Nadur Youngsters, Victoria Hotspurs reach GFA Knock Out semi-finals

In the first two matches from the GFA Knock Out quarter finals, holders Nadur Youngsters and Victoria Hotspurs progressed to the last four of the competition with convincing wins over Kerċem Ajax and Oratory Youths respectively.

Nadur Youngsters secured a 3-0 win over Kerċem Ajax in the main match of this round.

The match was expected to be more contested as Kerċem were still undefeated this season and are considered to be serious challengers for the honours in Gozitan football. 

However, Nadur dictated matters during the match while Kerċem’s response never arrived. 

The Youngsters took the lead on 14 minutes when Gustavo Dourado Ferreira opened the score with a low shot after

receiving from Marcelo Barbosa. 

On 58 minutes, Gabriel Farrugia doubled the Youngsters’ lead before Lucas Baretto Da Silva netted the the third goal to seal the win on 62 minutes.

Victoria Hotspurs cruised past Oratory Youths 4-0 to register their first win of the season. 

The Hotspurs were determined to make up for the disappointing results obtained so far and held command throughout the encounter. 

The Rabat side’s win matured with three goals scored during the first half. Andrea Debrincat (14, 42) grabbed a brace and the third goal came from a penalty awarded on 38 minutes for a foul by James Tabone on Olimpio Gabriel Fernandes and converted by the same Brazilian midfielder. 

The Hotspurs scored their fourth goal six minutes from time through a low drive by Lucas Farrugia.

Xagħra United confirmed their ambitions to be serious challengers for promotion with a 3-1 win over Munxar Falcons in the GFA Division Two. 

This was a hard-fought win for Xagħra against a battling Munxar side who stayed in contention for the first hour of the match.

Xagħra took the lead on 24 minutes when Leiner Garcia Panesso nodded the ball home from close in.

Munxar levelled matters on 53 minutes through Henry Fabian Solis.

But it was Xagħra who had the final say as they secured their second successive win following a brace by Luke Meilak on 60 and 69 minutes

Żebbuġ Rovers had an excellent start to the campaign as they edged St Lawrence Spurs 2-1. 

The Rovers opened the score with a fine goal by Daniel Mesa Pineros. But on the hour mark they were reduced to ten men when goalkeeper Baskal Saliba was sent off for denying a clear scoring opportunity to Victor John Saliba.

From the resultant penalty Alen Haska scored the equaliser.

As the match seemed heading to a draw, Żebbuġ scored the winner in the third minute of stoppage time through a header by Daniel Mesa Pineros.

NEXT FIXTURES

PLAYING ON SATURDAY

KERĊEM ARKAFORT STADIUM

GFA DIVISION TWO

SK Victoria W. vs Żebbug          12.45

GFA DIVISION ONE KO QF

Qala Saints vs Xewkija               15.00

PLAYING ON SUNDAY

KERĊEM ARKAFORT STADIUM

GFA DIVISION TWO

St Lawrence vs Għarb 12.45

GFA DIVISION ONE KO QF

Sannat L. vs Għajnsielem          15.00