Kerċem Ajax win to close gap with GFA Division One joint-leaders

Kercem Ajax obtained three priceless points as they beat relegation strugglers Oratory Youths 1-0.

The win enabled the Ajax to bridge the gap from Division One pacesetters Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints to five points and somewhat keep alive their hopes of challenging for the title.

Play was balanced in the opening minutes of the match, as both sides went all out in search of the three points.

The goal that decided the issue arrived on 19 minutes when the Oratory goalkeeper partially saved a free-kick by Pablo Vinicius Ferreira but from the rebound, Ognjen Rolovic, who was making his return with the Ajax after four seasons, netted from the rebound. 

For the rest of the match, Kerċem kept pushing to try and consolidate their lead but they were often erratic in their finishing to keep Oratory in contention until the final stages.

The Youths ended the match with ten men as substitute Omar Xuereb was sent off in the second minute of stoppage time for stopping Vinicius Ferreira from heading towards goal.

The GFA Division Two league featured a top-of-the-table clash between SK Victoria Wanderers and Żebbuġ Rovers that finished in a 2-2 draw.

The result saw the Wanderers preserve their top placing as they remain one point clear of Żebbuġ Rovers.

The Rovers were off to a flying start and took the lead after six minutes of play when Lorenzo Atzori tapped the ball home from close in.

The Wanderers fought back and levelled the score five minutes from the break with a low shot from Owen Fenech.

Żebbuġ restored their lead on 64 minutes when Atzori saw his shot coming off the post with the ball hitting goalkeeper Omar Xuereb before finishing into the net.

SK Victoria refused to throw in the towel and three minutes later they made it 2-2 when Aud-Gustine Obaje hit a low drive that rolled into the net.

The Rovers could have won it in the third minute of stoppage time when they were awared a penalty for a foul on Atzori but from the spot Daniel Pineros saw his effort saved by reserve goalkeeper Andre Micallef.

St Lawrence Spurs moved up to third place in the standings when they beat Għarb 5-3.

The match was well contested for more than an hour of play. 

The Spurs took an early lead through Victor John Saliba (6) but Għarb turned the result in their favour with a penalty converted by Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza (30) and a goal by Cyriel Buttigieg.

Alen Haska made it 2-2 when he converted a penalty on 62 minutes before St Lawrence Spurs went on to stretch their lead to 5-2 through a brace by Mark Dingli (80, 86) and a

goal by Jurgen Mario Portelli (87). 

Għarb scored their third goal on 89 minutes through substitute Gabriel Debrincat.

Xagħra United failed to bridge the gap with the leaders and dropped to fourth place when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Munxar Falcons. 

Xagħra stormed ahead on 15 minutes through a low shot by Joel Xuereb.

Xagħra failed to build on their momentum and it was Munxar who made it 1-1 on 59 minutes with a strike from Stefan Farrugia.

Xagħra regained the lead from a penalty converted by Leiner Garcia Panesso (67) but Munxar had a good reaction and saved the result with a close raged shot by Brandon Said (73).

Next Fixtures

PLAYING ON SATURDAY

Kerċem Arkafort Stadium

GFA Division Two

Munxar F. vs Żebbuġ R.             12.45

St Lawrence vs SK Victoria       15.00

Gozo Stadium

GFA Division One

Nadur Y. vs Xewkija Tigers        14.00

PLAYING ON SUNDAY

Kerċem Arkafort Stadium

GFA DIVISION TWO

Għarb R. vs Xaghra Utd             13.30

Gozo Stadium

GFA DIVISION ONE

Għajnsielem vs Oratory            13.00

Sannat vs Kerċem Ajax              15.00

PLAYING ON MONDAY

Gozo Stadium

GFA Division One

Victoria H. vs Qala Saints          19.00