Ghajnsielem go four points clear

Ghajnsielem 2
Victoria Hotspurs 0

Ghajnsielem maintained their unbeaten record with a victory over a spirited Victoria Hotspurs that matured with two first-half goals.

The Blacks are now on the 13-point mark, four ahead of second-placed Xewkija, who, however, have a game in hand. Ghajnsielem had Ndayi Kalenga to thank for their victory. He scored the goals that mattered.

Kalenga was almost on the mark as early as the first minute when when his blistering drive was turned to corner. Ghajnsielem, with Daniel Bogdanovic making his debut, opened the score after 20 minutes from a Kalenga break. He placed in goal with a low shot after beating his direct markers on the run.

Victoria were not demoralised though and went close to scoring in the 30th minute from an Okoro shot.

However, just before the break, the Blacks dealt their opponents a body blow when Kalenga rammed in from close distance after a Bogdanovic effort was cleared off the line.

The set-up was an ideal one for Ghajnsielem after the break as the Hotspurs, in their bid to save the match, left a few open spaces for counter-attacks.

Here, Hotspurs' substitute keeper Marvic Gafa effected a series of fine saves to deny Bogdanovic, Meilak, Attard and Kalenga.

Mercieca, at the other end, was also kept busy in the dying minutes to hold out a fine Justin Sacco header and a Lautier shot.

Six minutes from time Victoria had Chris Buttigieg sent off.

Referee: Reno Refalo.

Kercem Ajax 3
Nadur Youngsters 1

Kercem are now third in the standings after handing Nadur their fourth upset of the season.

The score may sound somewhat convincing but that was not the case as Kercem, without Roger Walker, had goalkeeper Etimini Aktpan in fine form to stop the Nadur forwards from scoring.

In a balanced first half, Kercem opened the score in the 36th minute.

Nenad Veselji pounced on a loose ball outside the area, resisted a couple of tackles before hitting home from close range.

Nadur's reaction after the break was a strong one but could find no way past Aktpan. Alex Simoncic's header flew past the Ajax keeper but the ball stamped against the post.

Kercem doubled their lead with a 25-metre strike from Mario Cutajar that surprised Vella.

Nadur moved forward again but efforts from Joseph Portelli, Simoncic, Patrick Camilleri and substitute Patrick Falzon were all stopped by Kercem's in-form no.1.

The Ajax made sure of victory with a third goal scored by Gotthard Conti nine minutes from time. Nadur's consolation goal came in added time from substitute Charlie Attard.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Div. II Super Five Cup

SK Victoria Wanderers and Qala St Joseph will contest the Super Five Cup final. The Wanderers eliminated Oratory 4-2 in the semi-finals and Qala ousted Sannat 4-0.

Oratory opened the score first with a George Farrugia goal (39), but Victoria turned the result in their favour after the break with goals from Alan Cini (62) and Kevin Azzopardi (73).

Isaac Chanda (76) made it 2-2 but Victoria regained the lead with a Chris Sciortino penalty (77) after Oratory had Mario Scicluna sent off.

The Wanderers made sure of victory with another Sciortino goal in stoppage time.

Qala inflicted a heavy defeat on Sannat Lions who lost composure after suffering their first goal.

They had Sandro Azzopardi (78) and John Vella (82) sent off.

Qala's goals were scored by Kenneth Mercieca (57, 81), Mario Mifsud (59), and an Aloysius Ihbeulu penalty (82).