Qala Saints join Youngsters at the top ahead of direct clash
Xewkija Tigers registered an impressive 6-2 win over Nadur Youngsters, while challengers Qala Saints beat Kerċem Ajax to move level with Gozitan champions at the top of the standings.
Nadur and Qala will face off in a crucial direct encounter on Sunday at 4pm that will have a huge say on where the title will go this season.
The Tigers built their win by netting three goals in each half with Argentine striker Brian Parada hitting the target four times.
Xewkija took the lead on 17 minutes through a penalty, awarded for a foul by Gianluca Muscat on Claudio Daniel Frances, which was converted by Parada.
Nadur’s reaction was sterile and Xewkija went on to add two more goals before the break, through a shot from outside the area by Frances and a Dejan Bogdanovic.
Nadur tried to recover after the break pulled one back on 54 minutes through Junior Adenilson. Parada, however, continued to be a threat for Nadur’s defence and managed to add three goals to put the game beyond their opponents’ reach.
Nadur managed to score a second goal late on through substitute Brian Said.
Qala Saints avenged the two defeats suffered against Kerċem Ajax when securing a 2-0 win.
The two sides had some regular players missing due to suspension and injuries and for most of the match the outcome as uncertain.
However, Qala’s Christian Mercieca ended up the protagonist for his side by scoring the two goals that decided the issue.
Mercieca opened the score on nine minutes through a fine cross shot that ended beyond the reach of the goalkeeper and made sure of the win by scoring the second on 86 minutes with a tap-in.
SK Victoria Wanderers registered a 3-1 win over Għajnsielem to consolidate fourth place in the standings and remain clear of the teams battling relegation.
Għajnsielem, who had Claudio Henrique Da Silva Barbosa missing due to a suspension, surprised their opponents and took the lead through an
Eriks Souza header on 16 minutes.
However, the Wanderers took more control as time passed by and turned the result in their favour through a brace by Caique Silvio Souza (30, 68) and a goal by Gabriel Farrugia (46).
The Wanderers could have added another goal but a strike by Emerson Zammit was stopped by the bar.
The relegation battle was blown wide open as bottom-placed Oratory Youths beat Xagħra United 3-1 win.
Oratory were determined to obtain the win and took the lead early on through Rafael Conrado Prudente (4).
Xagħra equalised on 27 minutes through a close-range shot by veteran Chris Camilleri.
But Oratory regained the lead seven minutes later through Ryan Saliba.
Oratory sealed the win three minutes into the second half with another goal scored by Prudente who capitalised from a wrong clearance by Xagħra’s defence.
GFA Division Two
Victoria Hotspurs secured a 3-0 win over Żebbuġ Rovers to move three points clear of Sannat Lions.
The Hotspurs dominated the match and paved the way to the win by scoring two goals during the first half through Daniel Farrugia (8) and Lorenzo Atzori (22).
The Hotspurs sealed the points with a third goal on 66 minutes through Oliver Cremona.
Munxar Falcons were back to winning ways with a 1-0 win over Għarb Rangers. Victor Gabriel Souarez Souza scored the decisive goal on 40 minutes.
The same striker missed an opportunity to double the score on 62 minutes when his penalty was saved by the Għarb goalkeeper.
NEXT FIXTURES
FRIDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Xagħra vs SK Victoria 18.00
Għajnsielem vs Xewkija 20.00
SATURDAY – KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA DIVISION TWO
St Lawrence vs Żebbuġ 14.30
SUNDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Kerċem Ajax vs Oratory 14.00
Nadur vs Qala Saints 16.00
TUESDAY – KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA DIVISION TWO KO
Għarb Rangers vs Żebbuġ 14.00
CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
Victoria H. vs Sannat 16.00
