Title challengers Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints battle to victory

Title challengers Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints found it more difficult than expected to take all points last weekend and preserve the three-point gap between them.

Nadur scored a goal in each half to beat Għajnsielem 2-0.

The Youngsters should have taken the lead on 11 minutes when they were awarded a penalty but Marcelo Barbosa fired wide from the spot.

The Gozitan champions took the lead on 23 minutes through Junior Adenilson.

Għajnsielem tried to fight back and created some scoring chances to leave the final outcome uncertain.

However, Nadur made sure of the win on 84 minutes when they were awarded a second penalty when Naim handled the ball inside the area and this time Barbosa made no mistake from the spot.

Tempers flared among the Għajnsielem players and the Blacks had Claudio Henrique dismissed for a second booking.

Qala Saints remained within touch of the leaders with a 2-0 win over second-from-bottom Xagħra United

For much of the first hour, there was little separating either side with Qala’s best chance seeing Martin Buttigieg’s shot coming off the post. 

Qala broke the deadlock on 74 minutes through a header by substitute Nathan Chukwudi Njoku.

At the other end, substitute Johann Bajada’s shot came off the post. However, it was Qala who sealed the points when Igor Nedeljkovic fired home the second goal 11 minutes from time.

Xewkija Tigers moved up to third in the standings when battling past Kerċem Ajax 2-1.

Rodney Buttigieg put the Tigers ahead after six minutes.

Kerċem levelled matters nine minutes from the break through Kaio Lucas.

Xewkija struck the winner on 76 minutes through Brian Parada.

The derby of Victoria between Oratory Youths and SK Victoria Wanderers ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that hit both team’s aspirations.

Oratory remained bottom while SK Victoria Wanderers slipped to fourth place.

The Wanderers were more dangerous and just before the hour mark Emerson Zammit had a good attempt stopped by the crossbar. 

Oratory took the lead on 61 minutes through Rafael Conrado Prudente. Minutes later, Zammit had another attempt hitting the woodwork.

The Wanderers’ efforts were rewarded in the first minute of stoppage time when they scored the equaliser through a header by Joseph Saliba.

Oratory ended the match with ten men as Hayden Muscat was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Division Two

Victoria Hotspurs ended their second-round commitments when they thumped Munxar Falcons 4-0.

With this defeat, Munxar’s hopes of promotion are in tatters.

The Hotspurs paved the way for their win with three first-half goals scored by Daniel Farrugia (6), Lorenzo Atzori (24) and Wellington (30). 

Victoria continued to dictate matters after the break and added a fourth goal through Daniel Farrugia on 75 minutes.

Five minutes later the Hotspurs were reduced to ten men as substitute Etienne Xiberras was sent off for retaliation.

Sannat Lions preserved top spot with a 6-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs. 

The Lions dominated the match with their striker Boubacar Kanta the absolute protagonist as he netted all six goals.

NEXT FIXTURES

FRIDAY – GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION ONE
Qala Saints vs Kerċem 18.00
Oratory vs Xagħra Utd 20.00

SATURDAY – KERĊEM STADIUM

GFA DIVISION TWO
Għarb Rangers vs Munxar 14.30
Żebbuġ vs Victoria H. 17.00

SUNDAY – GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION ONE
SK Victoria vs Għajnsielem 14.00
Xewkija T. vs Nadur Y. 16.00