Xewkija Tigers take sole leadership as Nadur Youngsters drop points

Xewkija Tigers confirmed their excellent start to the season when they edged past SK Victoria Wanderers 3-2 last weekend.

This was a direct clash between two teams who impressed most during the opening matches of the GFA Division One and where Xewkija and Victoria needed the win to take top spot in the standings.

Xewkija seemed more experienced in this encounter and capitalised from their chances despite conceding the initiative to their opponents for long stretches. 

The Tigers had an excellent start and opened the score in the fourth minute when a header by Aleksa Bozovic completely surprised the Victoria goalkeeper. 

The Wanderers tried to hit back and created several scoring chances but were denied by Xewkija goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin.

The Wanderers levelled the score on 48 minutes through a curling shot by Junior Conceicao Cabral.

The game turned in the Tigers’ favour midway through the second half when they scored twice in the space of ten minutes.

Josmar Vella headed his team ahead on 69 minutes from a corner action and then he added a third 12 minutes from time with a low shot.

The Wanderers gave themselves a lifeline with a second goal on 83 minutes scored by Kenneth Mercieca but Xewkija somehow managed to hold on to their lead.

Nadur Youngsters missed the chance to stay on top when they were held to a 1-1 draw with Oratory Youths.

There was little separating either side with Nadur taking the lead on 17 minutes with a long-distance strike from Marcelo Barbosa.

But Oratory equalised on 24 minutes through a header by Joshua Buttigieg.

Nadur stepped up their game in search of a winner but could not breach the Youths defence.

Qala Saints recovered from a difficult start to the season when they crushed Għajn-sielem 6-2 for their second league win.

The Saints looked the more motivated side and raced into a three-goal lead through a brace by Christian Vella (3, 9) and a goal by Lucas Baretto Da Silva (16). 

Għajnsielem pulled a goal back on 22 minutes through Luiz Henrique Santana Motta.

But Qala restored their three-goal lead on 40 minutes with a low shot by Jordi Parnis.

Għajnsielem pulled a second goal back in stoppage time with a shot on the run by Godwin Emmanuel.

Qala, who were reduced to ten players on 65 minutes when Igor Nedeljkovic received a second yellow card for simulation, were in control of play after the break and sealed the win with two late goals scored by Lucas Matheus Dos Santos (84) and Lucas Baretto Da Silva (86).

Xagħra United and Kerċem Ajax took a point each in a 1-1 draw.

Xagħra took the lead on 17 minutes with a shot from outside the area by Michael Bezzina.

But Kerċem managed to save a point when Pablo Vinicius levelled matters on 78 minutes.

NEXT FIXTURES

PLAYING ON FRIDAY

GFA Division One – Gozo Stadium

Kerċem Ajax vs SK Victoria       19.00

PLAYING ON SATURDAY

Challenge Cup – Kerċem Stadium

Munxar Falcons vs Għarb         13.00

St Lawrence vs Żebbug             15.15

Victoria H. vs Sannat Lions       17.30

PLAYING ON SUNDAY

GFA Division One – Gozo Stadium

Nadur Y. vs Xagħra      13.00

Xewkija vs Qala Saints 15.00

PLAYING MONDAY

GFA Division One – Gozo Stadium

Għajnsielem vs Oratory            19.00