Nadur Youngsters secure second win over Għajnsielem in the space of a week

Reigning champions Nadur Youngsters and newly-promoted side SK Victoria Wanderers kicked off their GFA Division One commitments in style when they obtained high-scoring victories.

Xewkija Tigers defeated Kerċem Ajax while the match between the other promoted side Xagħra United and Qala Saints was abandoned due to power failure at the Gozo Stadium.

Nadur started their title defence with a 6-0 win over Għajnsielem. 

Last week, the Youngsters overcame Għajnsielem in the Super Cup final but last weekend the Gozitan champions produced a more dominant display as they swiftly wrapped up the points, netting four goals early in the match.

Joao Florencio took just seven minutes to take Nadur the lead before Joseph Zammit made it 2-0 five minutes later.

Marcelo Barbosa took centre stage soon after when hitting a hat-trick to all but kill off the match.

Three minutes from time Nadur sealed the win when Zammit hit a long-range shot that made it 6-0.

SK Victoria Wanderers brushed aside Oratory Youths 4-0. 

The Wanderers, who are aiming to be among the protagonists this season, put themselves in command with two early goals scored by Gabriel Farrugia and Caique Silvio Souza Da Silva. 

Oratory’s reaction failed to arrive, and the Wanderers sealed the points with goals from Junior Conceicao Cabral and Souza Da Silva.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, the Wanderers ended the match with ten men when Nicholas Grech was sent off for a second bookable offence.

In the main match of the weekend Xewkija Tigers secured a 1-0 win over Kerċem Ajax despite having a number of established players missing due to injuries and suspension.

The match turned out to be a balanced affair with the Tigers created the better chances.

Xewkija scored the all-important goal on 31 minutes through Damir Andelovic.

Kerċem ended the match with ten men when Jason Theuma was sent off for a second booking.

Challenge Cup

The Division Two Challenge Cup got under way last weekend when Sannat Lions beat Għarb Rangers by the odd goal in three.

Sannat opened the score on 30 minutes through Joseph Bonnici but Għarb levelled the score on 67 minutes through Carlos Cutajar. 

Sannat netted the winner five minutes later through Nicholas Grima.

Victoria Hotspurs started their commitments with a 3-0 win over Żebbuġ Rovers.  The Hotspurs were the better side throughout the 90 minutes and scored their goals through Lorenzo Atzori (8), Valentin Wellington De Sousa (64) and Shaun Attard (71).

Munxar Falcons also had a positive start in the new season as they obtained a 2-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs, with Vitor Gabriel Soarez Souza netting both goals in the second half.

NEXT FIXTURES

PLAYING ON FRIDAY

GOZO STADIUM

GFA Division One

Qala S. vs Kerċem Ajax              18.30

KERĊEM STADIUM

PLAYING ON SATURDAY

Challenge Cup

Għarb R. vs Żebbuġ R. 16.45

Victoria H. vs St Lawrence        19.00

PLAYING ON SUNDAY

GFA DIVISION ONE

Oratory Y. vs Xaghra Utd           17.00

Xewkija T. vs Nadur Y.  19.00

PLAYING ON MONDAY

GOZO STADIUM

GFA Division One

SK Victoria vs Għajnsielem       19.00