Nadur Youngsters move five points clear at the top as Qala Saints suffer defeat

The last round of fixtures from the GFA Division One second round produced no less than 23 goals and saw leaders Nadur Youngsters move five points clear at the top.

The top four teams in the division, namely, Nadur Youngsters, Qala Saints, Kerċem Ajax and Xewkija Tigers, will now proceed to compete in the Championship Pool while the other four sides will be involved in the Play-Out Pool, trying to avoid relegation.

Champions Nadur will open the second phase of the championship as firm favourites after last weekend they thrashed Sannat Lions 6-0 to open a five-point lead oer nearest rivals Qala Saints.

Nadur took command from the early stages and opened the score on six minutes through a low shot by Predrag Djordevic. 

Seven minutes later, Nadur were awarded a penalty for a foul by Daniel Borg on Marcelo Barbosa and the same striker picked himself up to convert from the spot.

Nadur found more scoring opportunities but had to wait until the second half to extend their lead.

Substitute Joseph Zammit scored the third goal on 51 minutes, while Djordevic and Barbosa added two more goals before the hour mark. 

Nadur sealed the win on 66 minutes through Stefan Cassar.

Xewkija Tigers made sure of a Championship Pool berth when they came from behind to beat second-placed Qala Saints 3-1.

Qala seemed heading for a win during the first half as after they had two efforts stopped by the post, they surged ahead on five minutes through a close-range shot by Lawrence Grima.  Xewkija, however, fought back and equalised three minutes later through Lucas Vinicius. 

The Tigers grew in stature and took the lead on 54 minutes when Damir Andelovic scored with a fine lob. 

Qala pushed more men forward in search of an equaliser but it was Xewkija who added a third goal through Matthias Mercieca in stoppage time.

Kerċem Ajax returned to winning ways following a 6-3 win over Għajnsielem to keep alive their flickering hopes of challenging for the title.

Kerċem dominated the first half hour of play.  Bruno Da Cruz gave them an early lead before a hat-trick by Pablo Vinicius Ferreira (11, 20, 29), and a goal by Ognjen Rolovic (18) put them well in charge.

Kerċem, however, took their foot off the accelerator and Għajnsielem managed to pull two goals back through Pedro Augusto Mota De Lima and a goal by Junior Valdeci Candido.

The Ajax put their minds at rest with a sixth goal scored by Bruno Da Cruz on 85 minutes.

Oratory Youths and Victoria Hotspurs took a point each following a 2-2 draw.

With this result, the Youths remained well clear of the relegation zone while Victoria moved out of bottom place. 

The Hotspurs opened a two-goal lead through Andrea Debrincat and Nicholas Inguanez. 

Oratory pulled one back late in the first half through Andre Azzopardi.

The Youths stepped up their efforts in the second half and managed to equalise when Haraan Goncalves Barbosa made it 2-2 from a corner. 

GFA DIVISION TWO

Xagħra United edged past SK Victoria Wanderers to bridge the gap over the leaders to just three points.The goal that decided the match arrived after only four minutes through Kenneth Mercieca.

St Lawrence Spurs obtained an unexpected 1-0 win over Żebbuġ Rovers as the latter lost precious ground on the league pacesetters.

Christian Grima netted the all-important goal on 48 minutes.

Munxar Falcons confirmed their good run of form with a 2-1 win over bottom-placed Għarb Rangers. 

Munxar opened the score against the run of play with a goal scored by Gabriel Sillato.

Eight minutes into the second half, Għarb were reduced to ten men when Justin Agius was red-carded for a professional foul. 

Għarb, however, managed to level the score with a goal by Vitor Soarez Souza.

But it was Munxar who had the final say as Henry Solis netted the winner on 68 minutes.

NEXT FIXTURES

FEBRUARY 24

GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION ONE

Għajnsielem vs Sannat L.          18.00

Qala Saints vs Kercem               20.00

FEBRUARY 25

Kerċem Arkafort Stadium

GFA DIVISION TWO

SK Victoria vs Żebbuġ 13.00

St Lawrence vs Għarb 15.15

FEBRUARY 26

Kerċem Arkafort Stadium

GFA DIVISION TWO

Munxar F. vs Xaghra Utd          13.00

Gozo Stadium

GFA DIVISION ONE

Victoria H. vs Oratory 13.00  

Xewkija T. vs Nadur Y     15.00