Reigning champions Nadur Youngsters overcame the challenge of title challengers Kerċem Ajax 2-0 to move two points clear at the top of the standings as Qala Saints were held by Għajnsielem last weekend.
The clash between Nadur and Kerċem Ajax was the main match of the weekend.
The match lived up to expectations as the two sides produced an exciting encounter and both teams could have snatched all three points.
Igor Nedeljkovic could have put the Youngsters ahead in the first half but the Serbian forward fired his shot just over from a favourable position.
Early in the second half, Kerċem came close when Ognjen Rolovic’s low shot was deflected just wide off the upright.
The match’s turning point arrived on 76 minutes when the assistant referee ruled that Kerċem’s Santana Motta fouled Nedeljkovic inside the area and from the spot the Serbian forward made no mistake.
Kercem looked stunned and Nadur sealed the points with a second goal in the third minute of stoppage time through substitute Joseph Zammit.
Qala Saints dropped two important points as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Għajn-sielem.
The Blacks surged ahead when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Emanuel Buttigieg on Patrick Dos Santos Cruz.
From the spot, the Brazilian forward made no mistake to put his team ahead.
Qala levelled matters on 44 minutes when Julian Suzuki Bicudo fired home after being set up by Ayesller Carvalho.
The Saints were unlucky not to snatch the three points when an effort by Suzuki Bicudo was stopped by the post.
Qala were also reduced to ten men on 54 minutes when Emanuel Buttigieg was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Sannat Lions boosted their hopes of avoiding the drop as they overcame Victoria Hotspurs in a five-goal thriller.
With this win, the Lions have moved level on points with the Hotspurs at the bottom of the standings.
Sannat took the lead on 13 minutes through an own goal by goalkeeper Kyle Barbara.
But the Citizens levelled the score nine minutes later when a header by Ricardo Faria was deflected into the net.
Sannat, however, regained the lead on 29 minutes with a fine shot by Camilo Andres Sanchez Gonzales.
The Hotspurs refused to throw in the towel and Lucas Mancuso pulled them level two minutes into the second half.
But it was Sannat who had the final say as Camilo Sanchez Gonzales grabbed the winner on 59 minutes..
There were no winners in the other GFA Division One match played last weekend as Oratory Youths and Xewkija Tigers cancelled each other in a goalless draw.
The result pushed the Tigers closer to Championship Pool football this season.
The match produced few scoing opportunities.
Oratory’s best chance came through an effort by Neil Said that was well saved by the Xewkija goalkeeper.
At the other end, the Tigers went close to scoring through a low drive by Rodney Buttigieg but the ball ended just wide.
GFA Division Two
Xagħra United obtained a dramatic 3-2 win over Żebbuġ Rovers to move up to second place in the standings.
Żebbuġ looked on course for victory when twice surging ahead courtesy of a brace from Daniel Atzori.
But Xagħra were in fighting mood and after levelling matters through goals from Leiner Garcia Panesso (45) and substitute Joel Xuereb (73).
Żebbuġ sufffered a blow three minutes from time when Daniel Pineros was sent off.
The game had 12 minutes of stoppage time as a Xagħra player received medical treatment.
When play resumed, Xagħra went on to clinch the winner with a low shot from Joel Xuereb.
Leaders SK Victoria Wanderers came back from behind to beat Għarb Rangers 5-2.
Għarb took a two-goal lead through Cyriel Buttgieg (12) and Gabriel Soares Souza (16).
The Wanderers, however, came back strongly to turn the match in their favour with three goals scored by Aud-Gustine James Obaje (29, 45) and Joseph George Vella.
Victoria dominated play after the break and made sure of the win by scoring two more goals through Emerson Zammit (48) and Joseph George Vella (73).
In the last match of the second round, Munxar Falcons consolidated their mid-table position with a 2-1 win over St Lawrence Spurs.
Adebayo Ademilua put the Saint ahead on 19 minutes but Munxar turned the result in their favour through a brace by Henry Fabian Solis (44, 75).
NEXT FIXTURES
PLAYING ON FRIDAY
Gozo Stadium
GFA Division One
Oratory Y. vs Victoria H. 14.00
Sannat L. vs Nadur Y. 16.00
PLAYING ON SATURDAY
Kerċem Arkafort Stadium
GFA Division Two
Xagħra vs SK Victoria W. 13.00
Għarb R. vs Munxar F. 15.15
PLAYING ON SUNDAY
Kerċem Arkafort Stadium
GFA Division Two
Żebbug R. vs St Lawrence 13.00
Gozo Stadium
GFA Division One
Qala Saints vs Xewkija T. 13.00
Kerċem vs Ghajnsielem 15.00
