Għajnsielem go top of GFA Division One with deserved win

The final programme of matches for the year 2025 was held in Gozo last weekend.

Only one match was played at the Gozo Stadium, as Għajnsielem defeated Xagħra United 2-0. Meanwhile, the fixture between Qala Saints and Xewkija Tigers was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

Għajnsielem scored a goal in each half to secure victory over Xaghra United, thereby confirming their ambitions of being among the main contenders for the championship title.

With these three points, the Blacks moved to the top of the table, one point ahead of Kerċem Ajax and two points clear of Xewkija Tigers, who have a game in hand.

Both Għajnsielem and Xagħra came into this encounter on the back of important victories and were seeking a positive result for different reasons, with Għajnsielem aiming to consolidate their place among the leading teams, while Xagħra were looking to move away from the bottom of the standings.

The match was keenly contested in the first half, with few clear-cut scoring opportunities.

However, in the second half Għajnsielem were the superior side and could have won by a wider margin.

Over the 90 minutes, they hit the woodwork on two occasions and, in several other instances, their forwards lacked precision.

The standout performer was Ghajnsielem’s Ewerton Tom, who scored both goals: a deflected shot from outside the box in the 24th minute and a penalty in the 57th minute, awarded after a foul by Savio Galea on Jhon Gonzalez.

GFA Division Two

At the Kercem Stadium, two matches from the GFA Division Two were played, with St Lawrence Spurs and Zebbug Rovers both recording identical 3-1 victories against Munxar Falcons and Għarb Rangers, respectively.

As a result, St Lawrence Spurs drew level with Sannat Lions in second place, Għarb Rangers suffered their first defeat of the season, while Żebbuġ Rovers kept their promotion hopes alive.

St Lawrence’s victory over Munxar was particularly deserved following a strong second-half performance.

They opened a two-goal lead through a brace by Felipe Augusto (16, 61), but when they appeared to be in control, Munxar reduced the deficit through substitute Luke Meilak (76).

St Lawrence sealed the three points with a goal by Gabriel Debrincat one minute from the end of normal time.

In the opening match of Match-Day 7 of the campaign, Żebbuġ Rovers secured the three points they were seeking, with the decisive goals arriving late in the match.

The Rovers made the better start and took the lead in the 10th minute through Ismael Belhadj. Gharb responded well and drew level through Gean Dias in the 36th minute, making the match more open.

However, Żebbuġ clinched victory with two goals in the space of three minutes, scored by Jake Sacco (83) and Haraan Goncalves Barbosa (86).