Champions in stuttering start

The GFA Easyline Division One kicked off last weekend with two matches, the outcome of which added weight to suggestions that this season's championship will be more competitive. Kercem Ajax, playing in the top flight following the withdrawal of Gharb Rangers, enjoyed a great start when defeating champions Nadur Youngsters.

Kercem Ajax 2
Nadur Youngsters 1

Kercem were one of the most active teams in the transfer market. They engaged the services of Bulgarian coach Todor Raykov and consolidated their rearguard with the signings of goalkeeper Sammy Attard and defender Chris Debrincat.

Dragomir Draganov, signed to boost Kercem's cutting edge, struck his side's two goals on his debut.

This was the fourth meeting between these two teams this season. The other clashes came in cup competitions, Nadur winning two matches (one after penalties) while Kercem prevailed in the other.

Draganov opened the scoring for Kercem after 21 minutes when heading home an Alvin Grech cross. Nadur's response was immediate but eight minutes before the break, their task was further compounded when Draganov profited from a defensive lapse to lob home his team's second.

Nadur pressed hard in search of a goal that would drag them back into contention. Their efforts were rewarded in the 55th minute thanks to a Mark Buttigieg headed effort.

Kercem missed a fine opportunity to re-establish their two-goal lead, Ryan Buttigieg concluding badly after a fast break.

Midway into the second half, Nadur were reduced to ten players when referee Alan Mario Sant dismissed Buttigieg for retaliation.

Notwithstanding this setback, Nadur tried hard to save the match but luck was not on their side when Mark Marlow's free-kick hit the bar.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Sannat Lions 2
Ghajnsielem 2

Sannat Lions and Ghajnsielem returned home with a point each from their first league encounter. The Blacks were the happier of the two sides at the end of the match.

Without any foreign players in their ranks, Ghajnsielem's chances of gaining something from this match were considered slim, especially after they found themselves two goals down.

Sannat surged ahead in the 10th minute through Joseph Attard (ex-Ghajnsielem). On the half-hour mark, the score became 2-0 when Cristiano de Oliveira scored from a free-kick.

Ghajnsielem regrouped after the restart but had to wait until 18 minutes from time to find the Lions' net when Errol Grima placed the ball in an open goal from a goalmouth melee.

Dione Lautier's header was then well saved by Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Grima. Nine minutes from time, Errol Grima was on mark again to earn Ghajnsielem a sharing of the points.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Sprite Division Two

Top favourites Xaghra United achieved a resounding 8-0 success over Gharb Rangers in their first match of the championship.

Xaghra went in for the break three goals to the good following strikes by John Camilleri (2) and Johann Attard.

Their superiority was converted into more goals after the break, Camilleri scoring another two to take his tally for the match to four. Attard struck another goal for the winners to notch a brace.

Joseph Sultana and Daniel Attard were the other scorers for Xaghra.

Meanwhile, Kercem Ajax won the HSBC U-14 Knockout competition, organised by the Gozo Youth FA. In the final, Kercem had the better of Nadur Youngsters with a golden goal.