Nadur Youngsters and Qala Saints maintained their winning momentum in the GFA Division One last weekend to remain separated by one point at the top of the standings.
Elsewhere, Xewkija Tigers secured an important victory that moved them outside the relegation zone.
Nadur Youngsters had a fantastic start to the third round, crushing Għajnsielem 6-0.
This win enabled Nadur to preserve their one-point advantage at the top of the standings over rivals Qala Saints.
Nadur were all over their opponents and opened a four-goal lead by the end of the first half, with Rafael Prudente netting a hat-trick.
Prudente took just five minutes to put Nadur ahead after five minutes with a low shot.
Three minutes later, the Brazilian forward saw his header coming off the post and from the rebound Brandon Said fired home.
Nadur remained on top and Prudente strike twice on 16 and 44 minutes put Nadur 4-0 ahead at half-time.
Said made it 5-0 on 58 minutes and things got worse for Għajnsielem when Lautaro Pizzo was sent off for a second bookable offence on 84 minutes.
From the resulting free kick, Diego Pires Dall’Oca surprised the goalkeeper with a direct shot, to seal his team’s win.
Qala Saints kept the pace with Nadur following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over SK Victoria Wanderers,
The match was evenly contested, and Qala scored the decisive goal in the sixth minute, when Christian Mercieca scored directly from a free kick.
For the rest of the match, Victoria Wanderers had more possession and created several opportunities through Da Silva Costa, David Garba, Sam Harland, and Neil Camilleri but could not find a breakthrough.
Xewkija Tigers were back to winning ways when they overcame bottom-placed Oratory Youths 3-1
Xewkija Tigers recovered from a difficult phase in their season with a 3-1 victory over bottom-placed Oratory Youths.
Xewkija surged ahead after five minutes when Brian Parada scored directly from a free-kick.
Parada almost struck again minutes later but his shot came off the bar.
Despite their dominance, Xewkija failed to extend their advantage and were made to pay on the stroke of half-time when Nicolas Venegas equalised with a tap-in from close in.
Xewkija regained control in the second half and on 56 minutes Claudio Frances hit the upright from a free-kick., a free kick from Claudio Daniel Frances hit the post, and from the rebound, Stefan Cassar’s shot was blocked by Rian Lopes’ hand, with the referee pointing to the spot.
Nine minutes from time, Parada sealed his team’s win when he completed his hat-trick, and go top of the scorers’ list with 14 goals.
GFA Division Two
Munxar Falcons continued their good form in the Division Two with a 6-2 victory over Għarb Rangers that lifted them to second in the standings.
Munxar took an early lead with goals from Chris Ronaldo Bohui (15) and Nathaniel Mercieca (17).
Għarb pulled one goal back through Steve Gauci (25), but Munxar regained control, scoring four without reply goals through Neil Mifsud (40), a brace from Nathaniel Mercieca (43, 58), and substitute Emmanuel Galea (83).
Għarb got their second goal in the 89th minute thanks to Baldwin Osayi Ogbinobaro.
Ten-man Żebbuġ Rovers came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory against St Lawrence Spurs. After a goalless first half, St Lawrence opened the scoring in the 49th minute through Eduin Junior Padilla Pedrozo.
But Zebbug levelled matters in the 57th minute thanks to Gustavo Dos Santos.
On 77 minutes, Żebbuġ’s Oliver Cremona was sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Despite being a man down, Żebbuġ secured the win in the 89th minute after an own goal by St Lawrence defender Neville Haber.
NEXT FIXTURES
PLAYING ON FRIDAY – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Nadur Youngsters vs Xewkija Tigers 19.00
SATURDAY – KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA DIVISION TWO
Sannat Lions vs Kerċem Ajax 12.30
Għarb Rangers vs St Lawrence 15.00
SUNDAY – GOZO STADIUM
Oratory Youths vs Qala Saints 13.00
Xagħra United vs Għajnsielem 15.00
