The GFA Division One title race took another major twist last weekend as Qala Saints were back on top of the standings after rivals Nadur Youngsters suffered an unexpected defeat to Xewkija Tigers who moved up to third place.
Ghajnsielem moved out of the relegation zone but Oratory Youths were mathematically relegated.
Xewkija Tigers ended Nadur Youngsters’ ten-match winning run with a 2-0 victroy last weekend.
Xewkija looked more motivated as Nadur struggled to show their best football.
Xewkija took the lead on 41 minutes with a header from Brian Parada following a corner kick.
A minute into the second half, the Tigers doubled their lead through a low shot from Claudio Frances, after being set up by Parada.
In the 54th minute, Xewkija were reduced to ten men when John Axiak was sent off for a second yellow card, but Nadur failed to capitalise, with their best chance coming from a Rafael Prudente header that hit the crossbar.
Qala Saints took full advantage of Nadur’s unexpected slip and claimed three points with a dominant 5-0 win over Oratory Youths.
This victory allowed Qala to overtake Nadur at the top of the table.
When league action resumes after the Carnival break, Qala will start as favourites in the direct showdown that could determine this season’s champion.
Following this defeat, Oratory Youths remain without a point and are now mathemticlly relegated with four matches still left to play.
Qala dominated the match against Oratory, though they had to wait 30 minutes to break the deadlock through a Jordi Parnis solo effort.
In stoppage time, Gabriel Cardona doubled the lead by slotting the ball into an empty net after rounding the goalkeeper.
The Maroons extended their advantage early in the second half. Christian Mercieca tapped in a Parnis cross on 48 minutes, and in the 59th minute, Igor Nedeljkovic’s header was partially saved by the Oratory goalkeeper, allowing Dias De Almeida to score from the rebound.
Qala sealed the win with a fifth goal on 85 minutes through a lob from player-coach Shaun Bajada.
Għajnsielem came from behind to secure a 4-1 victory over Xaghra United to move up to fifth, keeping alive their hopes of avoiding the relegation play-off.
Xagħra took a deserved lead in the 10th minute when Marlon Mamo struck a first-time shot from a Lucas Farrugia assist.
However, as the game progressed, Għajnsielem grew into the match and found an equaliser in the 41st minute when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Kaio Lucas. The same player converted from the spot.
Għajnsielem turned the match around in stoppage time with a header from Esneider Antonio.
Xagħra tried to respond in the second half and had a golden opportunity to level the score in the 52nd minute when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Wayne Hili.
However, young Għajnsielem goalkeeper Gabriel Parnis saved the shot by Suzuki Bicudo.
In the 62nd minute, GĦajnsielem were awarded another penalty, this time for a handball by Daniel Sowatey, and Marcus Vinicius converted from the spot.
In the 88th minute, Għajnsielem secured the win with a fourth goal from Esneider Antonio.
GFA Division Two
Kerċem Ajax obtained a 5-0 victory over Sannat Lions to mathematical secure promotion as well as clinching the Second Division title.
The Ajax will return to the top division next season after spending just one season in the second tier.
This win further confirmed Kerċem’s dominance in the division, as they achieved their objective so far with maximum points and conceded just one goal in 11 matches with four more games left until the end of the campaign.
Kerċem controlled the game against Sannat, though their victory was sealed with four second-half goals.
They took just 17 minutes to take the lead through Cesar Velez.
On the hour mark, Kerċem were awarded a penalty after Sannat’s Dylan Bellotti was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area.
Jason Theuma doubled the lead from the spot.
Kerċem secured the win when adding three more goals through a brace from Cesar Velez (64, 90) and a goal from Luke Sultana (74).
At the final whistle, Kercem’s players, officials, and supporters celebrated the triumph.
Gharb Rangers registered their first league win of the season with a 3-2 victory over St Lawrence Spurs.
The match was effectively decided in the first half, as Għarb managed to contain St Lawrence’s reaction in the second half to preserve their lead.
Għarb opened the scoring in the fifth minute through Baldwin Osayi, but St Lawrence turned the match around with goals from Daniel Atzori (20) and Eduin Junior (33).
However, Gharb responded swiftly and secured the win thanks to a brace from Francesco Xuereb (38, 45).
NEXT FIXTURES
MARCH 7 – GOZO STADIUM
GFA Division One
SK Victoria W. vs Xaghra United 19.00
MARCH 8 – KERĊEM STADIUM
GFA Division Two
Kerċem Ajax vs Munxar Falcons 12.45
Żebbuġ Rovers vs Sannat Lions 15.00
MARCH 9 – GOZO STADIUM
GFA DIVISION ONE
Għajnsielem vs Xewkija Tigers 13.00
Qala Saints vs Nadur Youngsters 15.00
