Ghajnsielem one point away from honour
Ghajnsielem 4Victoria Hotspurs 0\nA victory for Ghajnsielem against the bottom-placed team was something to be expected but the leaders had to fight hard to break Victoria's resistance. Ghajnsielem had to wait until the final minutes of the first half...
Ghajnsielem 4
Victoria Hotspurs 0
\nA victory for Ghajnsielem against the bottom-placed team was something to be expected but the leaders had to fight hard to break Victoria's resistance.
Ghajnsielem had to wait until the final minutes of the first half to open the scoring and only made sure of the points in the last stages of the match.
As this was Ghajnsielem's penultimate league match, a draw in their final clash with title rivals Xewkija Tigers on May 1 would be enough to give them their first title in 31 years.
Ghajnsielem's first scoring opportunity came in the sixth minute when a header by Daniel Bogdanovic was cleared off the line by Noel Borg.
The clock marked 43 minutes of play when Ghajnsielem surged ahead thanks to Richard Buhagiar.
On the resumption, the Blacks took their game to Victoria, creating menacing attempts through Brian Meilak. The score became 2-0 on 67 minutes when Eduardo do Nascimento stabbed the ball home following a fast break by Bogdanovic.
This goal took the sting from Victoria. Ernest Barry blocked a good shot by Brazilian do Nascimento but 19 minutes from time, Ghajnsielem secured the three points with a third goal by Matthew Portelli.
Barry denied Bogdanovic eight minutes from the end but two minutes later, do Nascimento made it 4-0 for the leaders with a low shot after a good move by former Malta captain David Carabott.
Ghajnsielem: D. Dengaky, F. Buttigieg (L. Scicluna 35), D. Carabott, D. Mbueko, M. Portelli, B. Meilak, D. Bogdanovic, R. Buhagiar (J. Attard 75), N. Kalenga, E. do Nascimento, D. Iriele (G. Bencini 36).
Victoria H.: E. Barry, N. Borg, J. Buttigieg, S. Eboh, J.P. Grima, E. Lufi, R. Mercieca, B. Njoku, M. Okoro, K. Said (C. Gafa 81), D. Farrugia (A. Briffa 57).
Referee: Lorry Sammut.
Xaghra United 3
Nadur Youngsters 7
Nadur Youngsters obtained a convincing 7-3 victory over Xaghra United to move into third spot in the standings.
While Nadur continued their remarkable climb up the Division One table, Xaghra now seem destined to finish second from bottom and having to defend their top-flight status in a relegation play-off.
Nadur moved into a three-goal lead inside the first 21 minutes through Anthony Portelli, Eric Nkwanko and Aldrin Muscat. Xaghra reopened the issue with goals from John Camilleri and Matthew Babayaro.
Eight minutes from half-time, former Sliema hitman Muscat was on target to put Nadur two goals ahead.
Xaghra refused to stand down, starting the second half in attacking mode. Five minutes after the break, Camilleri brought Xaghra within one goal of Nadur. Moments later, Xaghra could have levelled matters but for an excellent save by Vella from a free-kick by Bezerra.
Midway through the second half, Nadur moved closer to victory when Alex Simoncic concluded a fine personal move to make it 5-3. Sixteen minutes from time, Muscat increased Nadur's lead and former Valletta and Malta defender Joe Camilleri notched Nadur's seventh goal in the 76th minute, heading home following a cross by Muscat.
Xaghra: D. Gauci, D. Olalekan, S. Sultana, D. Vella, D. Attard, J. Camilleri, J. Sultana, M. Francalanza (J. Bartolo 46), M. Babayaro (S.F. Bajada 83), C. Bezerra de Lima, A. Debono.
Nadur: K. Vella, P. Camilleri, R. Nagem (F.P. Azzopardi 83), J. Mejlaq (R. Hili 85), A. Simoncic, M. Bonello (K. Buttigieg 75), C. Attard, J. Camilleri, A. Muscat, A. Portelli, E. Nkwanko.
Referee: Alan Mario Sant.
Division Two
St Lawrence Spurs 1
Gharb Rangers 4
Gharb pulled off a surprise when beating St Lawrence 4-1 for their first win this season.
Gharb went ahead after eight minutes through Philip Bajada but Stephen Apap put St Lawrence back on level terms.
The Rangers regained the lead in the 30th minute with another goal from Bajada. They remained the better side after the break to increase the score thanks to a Michael Chika brace. The two teams ended the match with ten players after the sendings-off of Gharb's striker Gordon Micallef and St Lawrence's goalkeeper Samuel Micallef.
Oratory Youths 0
Qala St Joseph 2
Qala came out tops from this direct clash between two teams aiming for the runners-up spot.
Kenneth Mercieca put Qala ahead in the first half. They made sure of the three points in the 70th minute, Joe Xerri scoring from close range following a fast break by Mercieca.