Title race, relegation to be decided on final day of 2023-24 GFA Division One

The GFA Division One is set for an exciting finale as the league title and the team that will lose his top-flight status will be decided on the final day of the season.

This is because the two title challengers Qala Saints and Nadur Youngsters both emerged victorious last weekend to remain tied at the top of the standings.

On the other hand, four teams are battling to avoid relegation.

Nadur Youngsters eased to a 5-0 win over relegation-strugglers Kerċem Ajax. 

Kerċem had enjoyed a bright start but the Youngsters managed to weather the storm and from then on they went to dominate the match.

Joao Vitor was the protagonist of Nadur’s win as the Brazilian bagged a hat-trick inside the first 63 minutes of the game.

Marcelo Barbosa netted the other two goals to increase his tally of the season to 20 goals and move closer to retain the honour of league top scorer for a third successive season.

Qala Saints maintained their title challenge with a 2-1 win over third-placed SK Victoria Wanderers. 

The Maroons saw more of the ball for long spells but had to wait until the 56th minute to take the lead through a low shot by Christian Mercieca.

The Wanderers hit back and equalised on 69 minutes when Qala defender Lucas Baretto inadvertently headed the ball into his net.

Qala were not demoralised and scored the winner on 72 minutes with a fine solo strike from Igor Nedeljkovic.

Oratory Youths confirmed their good moment when they thumped Xewkija Tigers 4-1 and keep alive their hopes of avoiding the drop.

Xewkija had various players missing due to suspensions and injuries, including their influential foreigners Aleksa Bozovic and Brian Parada so they struggled to be competitive. 

Rafael Prudente put Oratory ahead from the penalty spot after 15 minutes of play.

The Youths added two more goals before the breakthrough Rian Almeida Lopes (24) and Ryan Saliba (39).

The Youths could have added another goal on 66 minutes when they were awarded another penalty, but this time Joshua Buttigieg’s shot from the spot was saved by Xewkija goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin. 

Xewkija pulled one back on 72 minutes through Rodney Buttigieg.

But the Youths sealed their win with a fourth goal scored by Prudente.

Xagħra United earned three important points when they beat Għajnsielem 3-1 to leave four teams within a point in the bottom half of the standings. 

Xagħra took the lead on 28 minutes through Michael Paul Camilleri but Għajnsielem levelled matters with a tap-in by Godwin Emmanuel five minutes from the break. 

Twelve minutes into the second half, Xagħra regained their lead when a long-ranged shot by Fabian Xuereb surprised the Għajnsielem goalkeeper before adding a fourth goal through Camilo on 80 minutes. 

Għajnsielem could have re-opened the issue but on two separate occasions efforts by Claudio Henrique hit the bar. 

The Blacks ended the match with ten men when Alberto Xuereb was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Hotspurs win

Newly-crowned Division Two champions Victoria Hotspurs beat Sannat Lionsn 2-0 win to move further clear at the top of the standings.

This was the seventh meeting between the two sides this season with the Hotspurs coming out on top five times and the other two matches ending in a draw.

The Hotspurs clinched the three points with two second-half goals scored by Wellington (56) and Lorenzo Atzori (80).

St Lawrence Spurs moved away from the bottom spot when they beat Għarb Rangers 1-0.

Għarb were reduced to ten men on 32 minutes when Samuel Sillato was shown a straight red card. 

St Lawrence went on to clinch the winner through Mark Dingli on 68 minutes.

NEXT FIXTURES

FRIDAY – GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION ONE

Xewkija T. vs Xagħra Utd          18.00

Għajnsielem vs Kerċem             20.00

SATURDAY – GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION TWO

Sannat L. vs Żebbug R.              15.00

Munxar vs Victoria H. 17.00

SUNDAY – GOZO STADIUM

GFA DIVISION ONE

Oratory Youths vs Qala Saints 15.00

Nadur Y. vs SK Victoria W.        17.00

PLAYING WEDNESDAY

(Unless Championship decider is not needed)

BOV GFA Cup SFs

Nadur Y. vs Xewkija T. 18.00

SK Victoria W. vs Qala S.           20.00