Victoria Hotspurs secure place in Championship Pool

Victoria Hotspurs’ Didier Tayou (right) leaps to beat Sannat’s Nicholas Micallef to the ball. Photo: Joseph Mercieca

Victoria Hotspurs obtained a 2-0 win over bottom-placed Sannat Lions to move up to third in the table and secure a place in the Championship Pool, joining Xewkija Tigers, Nadur Youngsters and Kerċem Ajax.

The Hotspurs were the better side throughout but found it more difficult than expected to open the scoring.

The first half ended goalless with Victoria’s best attempts coming from Ferdinando Apap and Didier Tayou who failed to hit the target.

Just before half-time, Sannat almost surprised their opponents but Josiah Buttigieg’s effort was blocked by goalkeeper Courtney Mercieca.

Sannat’s goalkeeper also made a difficult save on the hour to stop a long-range strike from Jason Pace. Four minutes later, Sannat’s Nicholas Micallef was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Antoine Camilleri was denied by the Sannat goalkeeper but the Hotspurs took the lead eight minutes from time when the referee awarded them a penalty for a foul by Lauran Pisani on Camilleri.

Didier Tayou converted from the spot.

Five minutes later, the Citizens made sure of victory when Apap headed home from Pace’s free-kick.

In the other match from the top flight, Oratory Youths and SK Victoria Wanderers shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

The Wanderers saw more of the ball in the first half but both sides created good scoring oppor-tunities.

Eman Bugeja and Sunday Baala went close for SK Victoria Wanderers while Oratory’s best chances fell to Thiago Dos Santos and Shaun Attard.

A minute from half-time, Oratory’s Darko Stojanovic headed against the crossbar, from a corner action.

The Wanderers quickly switched to attack but were thwarted by Oratory goalkeeper Franklin Grima who pushed away Chris Sciortino’s dangerous effort.

From the rebound, Joseph Refalo concluded wide with the goal at his mercy.

Oratory increased their efforts after the break but missed a great chance to break the deadlock on 61 minutes.

Sam Frank Bajada fouled Johann Attard inside the box but Shaun Attard’s penalty was saved by Branko Vrndic.

The Wanderers grew in confidence to take the lead 10 minutes from time.

Substitute Matthew Zammit supplied the decisive pass to Baala who fired low into the net.

The Youths salvaged a point six minutes later when Dos Santos’s free-kick surprised the Victoria goalkeeper.

Division Two

In the first match from the fourth round of the Division Two championship, Żebbuġ Rovers pulled off an unexpected 3-2 win over leaders Għajnsielem.

Għajnsielem took the lead on 12 minutes through Charlon Tabone but Żebbuġ levelled matters through Patrick Camilleri (26).

The Blacks regained their lead on 56 minutes thanks to a goal from debutant Michael Bezzina but Żebbuġ turned the result in their favour with goals by Alex Tramboo (66) and player-coach Sylvan Galea (68).

With 12 minutes left, Għajnsielem were reduced to 10 men when Matthew Portelli was shown a second yellow card.

Three minutes later, the Rovers missed a penalty as Manwel Cordina’s drive was stopped by goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg.

Għajnsielem were unlucky not to equalise in stoppage time as Frank Lee Galea’s shot came off the post.

In a match played on Wednesday, Xagħra United consolidated third spot in the standings with a 3-0 win over Għarb Rangers.

After opening the scoring through Joseph Buhagiar (30), Xagħra sealed the points with a brace from Daniel Bartolo (58, 71 penalty).