Nadur Youngsters brush aside Xewkija Tigers to go top of GFA Division One

The last two matches from the GFA Division One for 2023 produced 14 goals and saw Nadur Youngsters become the new leaders of the championship while SK Victoria Wanderers took the third spot in the table.

Nadur Youngsters took full advantage of the defeat conceded by Qala Saints the previous weekend when they brushed aside Xewkija Tigers 5-0. 

With this win, the Youngsters moved two points clear of Qala Saints at the top of the table. 

As expected, Nadur took command of play early on but they only managed to open the score on 43 minutes through a shot on the run by Stefan Cassar. 

Xewkija tried to produce a reaction after the break but were left exposed in defence and that was fully capitalised by Nadur who added two more goals through Joao Vitor De Oliveira Florencio (50) and Joseph Zammit (53).

The Youngsters sealed the win late on with goals from substitute Matthias Said (85) and Marcelo Barbosa (89).

In the other match of the weekend, SK Victoria Wanderers obtained a 6-3 win over Għajnsielem in a direct clash between two sides who were on equal points before this encounter. 

This was the Wanderers’ second consecutive win and with the points obtained, they moved to third place with a good lead over the other teams involved in the red zone. 

The Wanderers paved the way to the win when they surged four goals ahead early on.

Gabriel Farrugia opened the score with a low shot on 11 minutes and a minute later Caique Silvio Souza doubled the lead with a fine header. 

The Wanderers added two more goals through a brace by Junior Conceicao Cabral (17, 31).

Late in the first half, Għajnsielem could have reduced the deficit but an effort by Claudio Henrique was stopped by the crossbar.

Victoria increased their lead in the opening stages of the second period through a penalty converted by Marcus Vinicius (54) and Cabral (58) who completed his hat-trick.

Despite trailing by six goals, Għajnsielem were not demoralised and managed to make the scoreline more respectable by scoring three goals through Godwin Emmanuel (81, 86) and a goal by Claudio Henrique.

Just before the final whistle, Għajnsielem had Marco Ciangura sent off for denying Cabral from a clear scoring opportunity.

NEXT FIXTURES

PLAYING ON SATURDAY

GFA Division Two

St Lawrence vs Sannat L.       12.45

Victoria H. vs Żebbug R.          15.00

PLAYING ON SUNDAY

GFA Division One

Oratory Y. vs Kerċem Ajax      13.00

Qala vs Nadur Youngsters     15.00