Hotspurs stay top after 1-1 draw

The direct clash at the top of the standings between Victoria Hotspurs and Nadur Youngsters ended all square last weekend.

Nadur, who had coach Alex Simoncic missing due to suspension, were boosted by the return of Alex Ribic. They opened the scoring late in the first half through a fine lob by Claudio Antunes following a solo action.

The Hotspurs, however, staged a determined reaction after the break.

Goalkeeper Steve Sultana was in fine form for Nadur and denied Uchenna Anyanwu and Nkwankwo from scoring. However, on 69 minutes, Anyanwu netted the equaliser following a Reuben Mercieca free-kick.

In the other match from the top flight, champions Sannat Lions produced a sound performance to beat Xewkija Tigers 3-0.

Sannat's experience was key to their victory. They forged ahead from a free-kick by Fernando de Andrade on 16 minutes.

Xewkija tried to get back into the match but just before half-time, De Andrade doubled the score from another set-piece.

After the break Xewkija found it hard to settle down in the difficult weather conditions and Sannat sealed the issue with a third goal scored by John Camilleri.

Division Two

Front-runners Xagħra United and St Lawrence Spurs kept up their march at the top but both had to sweat for victories in their last outings.

Xagħra, currently three points ahead of the Saints but having played a match more, beat Oratory 1-0, their goal scored by Shaun Sultana midway through the first half.

St Lawrence had to wait until the final stages to make sure of the three points in their match against lowly Qala.

Franklin Grima put the Spurs in front 14 minutes from time and player-coach Gothard Conti scored again in stoppage time.

In another match, Żebbuġ retained third spot with a 3-1 win over Għarb.

Christian Farrugia fired Għarb ahead but Sylvan Galea (2) and Steve Xuereb hit back for Żebbuġ.

Għarb keeper Joel Portelli was sent off eight minutes from time.

Summaries

Sannat Lions 3
De Andrade 16, 45; Camilleri 61
Xewkija Tigers 0
Sannat Lions:P. Galea, P. Spiteri, M. Formosa (F. Debono), A. Debono, M. Azzopardi, B. Njoku, J. Portelli, N. Filipov (N. Micallef), J. Camilleri, S. Rais, F. De Andrade (E. Grima).
Xewkija Tigers:J. Grima, Js. Vella, A. Fotso (J. Hili), J. Xerri, Jh. Vella, J. Cefai, C. Bugeja, R. Buttigieg, B. Chibueze, Jo. Azzopardi (P. Rapa), P. Camilleri (Js. Azzopardi).

Referee: Paul Apap.
Victoria Hotspurs 1
Anyanwu 69
Nadur Youngsters 1
Antunes 37
Victoria Hotspurs:M. Grima, J.P. Grima, J. Emanche, A. Tramboo, R. Grech (M. Vella), J. Xerri (R. Mercieca), O. Farrugia, D. Farrugia, N. Borg, E. Nkwankwo, U. Anyanwu.
Nadur Youngsters:S. Sultana, P. Camilleri, M. Portelli (C. Hili), P. Buttigieg, J. Meilaq, C. Mercieca, A. Ribic, S. Attard, C. Antunes, A. Portelli, J. Buttigieg.
Referee: Anton Zammit.