Leaders Qala Saints bounced back from last week’s defeat to SK Victoria Wanderers when they overcame the challenge of Oratory Youths.
In the weekend’s top fixture, Nadur Youngsters defeated Xewkija Tigers to establish themselves as the main challengers to league leaders Qala Saints.
Qala Saints secured a commanding 4-0 win over bottom-placed Oratory Youths, who remain without a point.
As expected, Qala dominated their opponents throughout, and the margin of victory could have been even bigger had the Saints been sharper in front of goal.
Christian Mercieca opened the scoring on 20 minutes with a long-range strike that left the Oratory goalkeeper helpless.
Qala doubled their lead on 52 minutes through Junior Adenilson strike following a corner action.
Qala sealed victory with two late goals from Jordi Parnis in the 73rd minute and a low shot by Nicholas Inguanez two minutes later.
Nadur Youngsters reignited their hopes of defending the league title with a 2-0 victory over Xewkija Tigers.
This match was a direct clash between two teams tied on points in second place, both seeking all spoils to stay in touch with leaders Qala Saints.
Nadur’s victory was well-deserved as they dominated the 90 minutes, creating numerous scoring opportunities while keeping Xewkija’s attackers at bay.
Andre Gabriel Castro Martins was Nadur’s standout performer, posing a constant threat to the opponents’ defence and scoring both goals.
The Portuguese forward opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a firm header following a cross from the left.
In the second half, Nadur capitalised on the spaces left by Xewkija’s defence, but some fine saves from Xewkija goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin denied them. The Youngsters also came close when Brandon Said’s shot hit the post.
Nadur secured the win with a second goal on 85 minutes, as Gabriel Fernandes’ header rebounded off the crossbar, and Castro Martins nodded in the rebound.
Xewkija almost pulled one back in the 90th minute, but Stefan Cassar’s header struck the post.
Għajnsielem earned three valuable points with a narrow 1-0 win over Xagħra United, avenging their first-round defeat against the same opponents.
The victory lifted Għajnsielem further away from the bottom of the table, boosting their hopes of escaping the drop, while Xaghra compromised their ambitions of staying in the top positions.
Għajnsielem were the more offensive side throughout the match, but their forwards struggled to convert their scoring chances into goals.
The Blacks were eventually rewarded in the 82nd minute when Marcus Vinicius Claudino Ramos scored with a long-range shot that surprised the goalkeeper.
GFA Division Two
In the last two matches from the GFA Division Two, Kerċem Ajax defeated Sannat Lions, while Żebbuġ Rovers overcame St Lawrence Spurs.
Kercem extended their lead at the top, while the race for second place now includes four teams.
Kerċem Ajax recorded a 2-0 win over Sannat Lions in a match where they struggled to convert their dominance into goals.
The Ajax eventually the points with two late strikes from Cesar Velez Da Silva (75) and substitute Lorenzo Atzori (88).
In the other match, Żebbuġ Rovers earned a 2-1 win over St Lawrence Spurs, to move off the bottom and into the battle for second place. The match turned out to be a closely-contested game and could have easily ended in a draw.
Żebbuġ’s goals came in the first half through Andrew Ofulue Chukwuwunke (16) and Paul Spiteri (18).
St Lawrence pulled one back before half-time through Jurgen Attard (38), but the scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.
NEXT FIXTURES
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3 – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Xewkija Tigers vs Għajnsielem 19.00
SATURDAY, JANUARY 4 – KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA DIVISION TWO
St Lawrence Spurs vs Gharb 12:45
Munxar Falcons vs Sannat Lions 15.00
SUNDAY – JANUARY 5, GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Xagħra Utd vs SK Victoria W. 13.00
Nadur Y. vs Qala Saints 15.00
