Nadur Youngsters crowned Gozitan champions

The GFA Division One came to an end last weekend with the final matches of the campaign that had no impact on the final standings.

Nadur Youngsters, who were already mathematically certain of the title, suffered a 3-2 defeat by runners-up Qala Saints in a match which took place among the celebrations of the Nadur supporters. 

The Youngsters opened the score on eight minutes through an own goal committed by Qala’s Joshua Buttigieg.

But the Saints levelled matters two minutes later with a low drive by Jordi Parnis. 

Nadur regained the lead on 83 minutes with a goal scored by Marcelo Barbosa, who also ended as the league’s top scorer with 16 goals.

But three minutes from time, the Maroons scored the second equaliser through a tap-in by Joao Vitor following a free-kick. 

As the match seemed heading to a draw, in the third minute of stoppage time, Qala turned the result in their favour with a direct free-kick by Ayesller Carvalho that surprised the defence and the substitute goalkeeper.

At the end of the match, Charmaine Borg, Regional Manager for Gozo at Bank of Valletta and Dr Samuel Azzopardi, the president of the Gozo FA, presented the trophy to Nadur Youngsters clan among the celebrations of their numerous fans.

In the other match from the Top 4, Xewkija Tigers and Kerċem Ajax shared the spoils in a goalless draw. 

The win could have gone either way as the two sides created various scoring opportunities.

On 79 minutes Xewkija were reduced to ten men when Carlo Abela was sent off for stopping a goal-scoring opportunity.

Xewkija’s veteran striker Johnny Camilleri was the main protagonist of the match as he was playing his last competitive match in his career.

Oratory Youths ended their commitments in the Play-Out with an impressive 5-1 win over Għajnsielem. 

Oratory’s Haraan Goncalves Barbosa, who was seeking to challenge his brother, Marcelo Barbosa, of Nadur Youngsters, for the top scorer award, scored all five goals for his side but were not enough to leapfrog Marcelo’s tally. 

The Blacks, who had many of their regular players missing as a precaution before the GFA Cup final on Sunday, scored their consolation goal on 82 minutes from a penalty converted by Pedro Augusto De Lima, who came on the field as a substitute.

Sannat Lions ended their stay in the GFA Division One on a positive note as they obtained a 2-1 win over Victoria Hotspurs. 

The Hotspurs seemed already focused on defending their first division status in the Play-Off against the Division Two runners-up Xagħra United and had some of their most influential players not in their starting line-up.

Sannat took advantage of the situation and opened a two-goal lead through a brace by Lucas Silva Gomes (37, 56 pen). 

Division Two KO

The Hotspurs reopened the issue with a goal by Lucas Farrugia (68) and two minutes later Sannat had Deison Arvey Cuero was sent off for violent conduct.

The Lions, however, preserved their one-goal lead until the final whistle.

Xagħra United lifted the Division Two Knock Out trophy when they beat Żebbuġ Rovers 1-0.

The win somewhat made up for Xagħra’s failure to win direct promotion and for the defeat in the Challenge Cup final.

Żebbuġ, the current holders, saw more of the ball during the first half but failed to capitalise from their opportunities.

Xagħra came out in a better shape after the break and scored the decisive goal on 58 minutes through a strike by Leiner Garcia Panesso. 

After the match, the Xagħra players were presented with the Division Two Knock Out trophy.

NEXT FIXTURES

PLAYING ON SATURDAY

Gozo Stadium

GFA Play-Off

Victoria H. vs Xagħra Utd          16.00

PLAYING ON SUNDAY

Gozo Stadium

BOV GFA Cup Final

Nadur Y. vs Għajnsielem           16.00