Freedom Day joy for Nadur Youngsters

Zebbug Rovers 1
Nadur Youngsters 2

Nadur Youngsters underlined their good form by landing the Freedom Day Cup at the expense of Zebbug Rovers.

This cup is contested by the champions and winners of the GFA Cup of the previous season. Success brought Nadur their second trophy of the season after they won the Independence Cup.

The match was interesting throughout but took a decisive twist in the second half after Zebbug had been reduced to nine players.

Both teams had a player sent off after just eight minutes when Nadur's Mark Buttigieg and Alex Tramboo, of Zebbug, were red-carded after clashing with each other.

Nadur enjoyed the best scoring opportunities late in the first half through Aldrin Muscat and Eric Nkwanko.

Zebbug saw more of the ball after the change of ends, Draganov missing a glaring opportunity in the 48th minute when heading badly in front of an open goal.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, Zebbug had Jude Utulu dismissed for a foul on Camilleri. Nadur took advantage of their extra player on the field to open the scoring in the 67th minute through Nkwanko's tap-in following an attempt by Muscat.

The Youngsters sealed their victory when Alex Simoncic doubled their lead with eight minutes of the game remaining.

Zebbug scored a consolation goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time through a direct free-kick by Peter Ohaka.

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

GFA Cup

Xaghra United 0
Kercem Ajax 1

Kercem Ajax qualified for the quarter-finals of the GFA Cup with a 1-0 win over Xaghra United.

The decisive goal was scored in the 57th minute from a penalty after Gauci fouled Joseph Grech inside the box. Alfred Effiong struck the ball home from the spot to reward Kercem's better football.

Kercem were unlucky not to increase their lead in the 76th minute when a firm shot by Alvin Grech came off the crossbar.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Division Two

St Lawrence Spurs 3
Oratory Youths 4

This was a direct clash between two teams aiming to clinch the runners-up position.

It was Oratory Youths who prevailed in an exciting match to put themselves in a strong position to keep their challenge for a place in the relegation/promotion play-off.

Oratory enjoyed the better start, taking the lead in the 24th minute through Robert Said who was then unlucky when his effort hit the post.

The Saints turned the score in their favour in the last minutes of the first half with goals from Ogun Abimbola and a Renzo Formosa penalty.

Oratory stormed into St Lawrence after the break and two goals in six minutes from Peter Mbacho put them ahead, 3-2.

Midway through the second half, Mario Farrugia increased Oratory's lead. St Lawrence's late reaction was insufficient as they only managed to reduce the deficit through Formosa in the second minute of added time.

Referee: George Portelli.

SK Victoria W. 2
Gharb Rangers 1

SK Victoria Wanderers had to fight harder than expected to beat bottom-placed Gharb Rangers.

Victoria tried to apply the pressure on their opponents from the start but Gharb were more dangerous with their fast breaks.

The Rangers forged ahead after 11 minutes through Michael Chika who could have added to his team's lead but for the good goalkeeping of Victoria goalkeeper Mercieca.

Victoria gained an equaliser six minutes from half-time thanks to Alan Cini. The same player completed his side's recovery when hitting the winning goal four minutes from the end of the game.

Referee: Mario Apap.