SK Victoria Wanderers hand leaders Qala Saints first defeat

SK Victoria Wanderers stunned league leaders Qala Saints with a 2-1 win to end the Maroons’ perfect record in the championship.

Nadur Youngsters and Xewkija Tigers secured important victories to climb to joint second in the standings.

In the weekend’s top match, SK Victoria Wanderers came from behind to overcome Qala Saints 2-1.

The match was quite balanced and the win could have gone either way.

Qala took the lead on 65 minutes when Joseph Buttigieg fired home the rebound after the goalkeeper just managed to keep out Manuel Bustos’ volley.

The Wanderers equalised on 74 minutes when David Garba pounced on a loose ball following a corner.

The Rabat side went on to score the winner in stoppage time young skipper Neil Camilleri reacted quickly to score after his initial header was blocked by the goalkeeper.

Nadur Youngsters continued their strong form with a 2-1 win over Għajnsielem.

With this result Nadur not only took revenge for the defeat conceded in the match against Ghajnsielem in the first round but also re-opened their chances to join the title race. 

This was another close encounter where the outcome remained uncertain until the final whistle. 

Nadur took the lead on 48 minutes through a header from Andre Castro Martins.

Għajnsielem equalised three minutes later with a fine strike by Joseph Onyeka.

However, Nadur regained the advantage on 62 minutes when Castro Martins netted his second with a low drive and sealed the win.

Xewkija Tigers maintained their title push with a commanding 3-0 win over bottom-placed Oratory Youths, who are still without a point after seven games.

Xewkija took control early on, scoring twice in the first half through Brian Parada (9) and Joshua Buttigieg (32).

Buttigieg added a third on 54 minutes when firing home the rebound following Parada’s header to ensure a comfortable victory.

GFA Division Two

Kercem Ajax finished the first round unbeaten and with maximum points after a 3-0 win over Żebbuġ Rovers. This was also Kercem’s fifth consecutive match in the campaign without conceding a goal.

The Rovers tried to mount a serious challenge to their more-quoted opponents but they only managed to remain in contention for a positive result until the end of the first half. 

Goals from Cesar Velez Da Silva (36, 88) and Christian Vella (50) sealed the victory for the Ajax.

Munxar Falcons bounced back from consecutive defeats with a 2-0 win over Għarb Rangers.

Daniel Mesa Pineros (16) and Daniel Azzopardi (19) put the Falcons in charge.

Għarb’s reaction was sterile even when Munxar were reduced to 10 men as Paul Parnis was sent off on 67 minutes for denying an open goal scoring opportunity.

NEXT FIXTURES

FRIDAY – GOZO STADIUM

GFA Division One

Qala Saints vs Oratory Y.              19.00

SATURDAY – KERĊEM

GFA Division Two

Żebbuġ vs St Lawrence          12.45

Kerċem Ajax vs Sannat Lions 15.00

Sunday – Gozo Stadium

GFA Division One

Għajnsielem vs Xagħra United           13.00

Xewkija vs Nadur Youngsters    15.00