Ghajnsielem regain top spot

Nadur Youngsters 1
Ghajnsielem 3

Ghajnsielem achieved a double over Nadur Youngsters in the championship to move two points clear of Xewkija Tigers at the top of the standings. The latter, however, have a game in hand.

Boosted by four positive results in a row, Nadur were looking to improve their perilous position in the table.

There was some flowing football in the opening half with Ghajnsielem opening their account after 19 minutes. Ndayi Kalenga scored when pouncing on a rebound after the Nadur goalkeeper had partially stopped a Daniel Bogdanovic shot.

Nadur had an Aldrin Muscat header saved in style by Daniel Dengaky and then Bogdanovic saw his teasing free-kick hitting the upright.

The Blacks increased their lead nine minutes from the break with another Kalenga goal after he was put through by Richard Buhagiar.

Nadur ventured forward more often after the break but with Nkwanko and Muscat tightly marked by the Ghajnsielem defenders, they failed to trouble Dengaky.

In the 53rd minute, Ghajnsielem's Brazilian striker Do Nascimento was sent tumbling inside the Nadur box and from the penalty, Bogdanovic made it 3-0.

Ghajnsielem then had David Carabott sent off 12 minutes from time for use of foul language and Nadur scored their consolation goal soon after. The referee awarded them a penalty for a foul by Dengaky on Simoncic and Eric Nkwanko placed in goal from the spot.

Nadur: N. Muscat, K. Buttigieg, P. Camilleri, M. Buttigieg (R. Hili 69), A. Simoncic, M. Bonello, C. Attard, J. Camilleri, R. Nagem, A. Muscat, E. Nkwanko.

Ghajnsielem: D. Dengaky, G. Bencini, F. Buttigieg, D. Carabott, D. Mbueko, M. Portelli, B. Meilak, D. Bogdanovic, R. Buhagiar (L. Scicluna 60), N. Kalenga, E. Do Nascimento (J. Attard 86).

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Zebbug Rovers 2
Victoria Hotspurs 0

Zebbug strengthened their hold on the third position with a convincing victory over Victoria Hotspurs who now seem destined to finish the season in the bottom rung of the standings for only the second time in their history.

The Rovers broke ahead in the 14th minute from a Leandro Quinhione free-kick that surprised keeper Ernest Barry.

After the break, the Hotspurs played better but their goalkeeper Barry was called to make difficult saves from Draganov and substitute Utulu following quick breaks from the Rovers.

Zebbug made sure of their victory 16 minutes from time when Silvan Galea was first on a loose ball before ramming the ball home.

Victoria ended the match with 10 players when referee Lorry Sammut showed the red card to James Buttigieg for a handsball.

Zebbug: V. Agius, P. Ohaka, J. Cordina, A. Tramboo, F. Magrin, C. Mercieca, E. Cordina (M. Azzopardi 50), L. Quinhione (J. Utulu 30), S. Galea, D. Draganov, P. Cordina.

Victoria: E. Barry, E. Lufi, J. Buttigieg, M. Onourah, J.P. Grima, R. Mercieca, N. Borg, B. Njoku (R. Grech 67), K. Said, D. Lautier (C. Gafa 85), M. Okoro.

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

Xaghra United 4
Kercem Ajax 4

Xaghra and Kercem are still involved in a tussle to avoid a relegation play-off following this thrilling eight-goal stalemate.

Kercem have only themselves to blame for not gaining full points after squandering a three-goal lead. Credit also goes to Xaghra who reacted strongly after the break and scored the equaliser in stoppage time.

Gotthard Conti scored twice inside the opening six minutes and Alfred Effiong made it 3-0 on 27 minutes after a fine solo move.

Just before the break, John Camilleri pulled one back for Xaghra but soon after Ajax speedster Effiong re-established his team's three-goal lead.

Xaghra were a different lot after the change of ends. They reduced the deficit early on from a Blanco de Castro free-kick and kept insisting until a Joseph Mercieca first-time effort in the 78th minute made the score 3-4.

Xaghra were rewarded for their efforts with a dramatic equaliser in the third minute of added time thanks to a lob by Daniel Attard from outside the area.

Xaghra: B. Zammit (D. Gauci 46), D. Olalekan (M. Francalanza 41), M. Buhagiar (J. Attard 33), S. Sultana, L. Blanco de Castro, D. Attard, J. Camilleri, J. Sultana, J. Mercieca, C. Bezerra de Lima, J. Galea.

Kercem: I. Aktpan, F. Camilleri, P. Camilleri, M. Cutajar, R. Walker (J. Grech 70), J. Vella, G. Conti (J. Grech 90), E. Vella, N. Veselji, A. Effiong, F. Onovo (R. Buttigieg 80).

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Division Two

SK Victoria Wanderers 1
Sannat Lions 3

Sannat Lions maintained their unbeaten record after a sound win over SK Victoria Wanderers. It was a deserved victory for Sannat who went ahead as early as the second minute through Abdul el Mutalib.

Victoria levelled the scores in the 57th minute through Daniel Muscat but Sannat regained command of play, striking again with goals from Mutalib, first, and Mark Muscat in the ninth minute of added time.

Victoria's Joseph Refalo was red-carded for dissent soon after Muscat's goal.

Referee: Joseph Camilleri.