In-form Xewkija regain top spot

Victoria Hotspurs 2
Zebbug Rovers 3

Xewkija had the better of luckless Nadur Youngsters to regain top spot in Division One, one point ahead of Ghajnsielem who have played a match more. It was a deserved success for the Tigers who, after dominating the first half, eased the pressure after the break before sealing their win with a late Thierry Tazemeta penalty.

Nadur Youngsters 2
Xewkija Tigers 4

Nadur created the first danger after four minutes, Anthony Portelli's flick ending just wide. Xewkija responded with an Udo Nwoko header that hit the post. Nwoko, formerly of Hibs, made no mistake on 13 minutes when his low shot finished in the Nadur net.

The Youngsters' reaction failed to arrive and midway through the half Nwoko struck again. Jason Portelli's shot was blocked and the Nigerian hit home from the rebound.

Xewkija kept pressing forward and on 38 minutes it was 3-0 for Xewkija when Sabri Rais set up Tazemeta who shot the ball home.

Nadur looked a better lot after the break and in the 52nd minute Alex Simoncic pulled one back from a free-kick.

Xewkija ran out of steam and in the 61st minute Nadur re-opened the match. They were awarded a penalty after Cremona handled the ball in his area and from the spot-kick Cidieric Nkwanko made no mistake.

But Xewkija soon rediscovered themselves and on 73 minutes they killed their opponents' hopes when Tazemeta was tripped in the Youngsters' box and the same Cameroon forward cooly converted from the spot.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Zebbug moved up to third in the standings after they beat Victoria Hotspurs who remain anchored to the bottom along with Nadur. But this was an entertaining match which could have gone either way.

The Rovers were more incisive in the early stages but it was Victoria who opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Maczerob Okoro tapped home from Dione Lautier's headed pass.

The goal badly hit Zebbug and Victoria could have increased the score but efforts from Lautier and Justin Sacco never reached the desired target.

Late in the first half, the Rovers turned the tide in their favour with two quick goals. On 40 minutes, Leandro Quinhione levelled the score with a spectacular drive and two minutes later Silvan Galea put the champions in the lead with a perfect header from an Ohaka cross.

Victoria started the second half strongly and Ruben Mercieca almost equalised but his shot was blocked. The Citizens drew level on 61 minutes when Okoro's cross was tapped home by John Paul Grima.

Any team could have won the points in the latter stages but it was the Rovers who netted the winner ten minutes from time. Tramboo's through pass released Galea who fired home the decisive goal.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Sprite Division Two

Qala St Joseph 4
Gharb Rangers 0

Qala St Joseph registered a comprehensive win over bottom-placed Gharb in their last match from the first round to temporarily occupy the runners-up spot.

As the scoreline clearly indicates, Qala were the stronger side throughout. Their goals came from Kenneth Mercieca and an Aloysius Ihbeulu hat-trick.

Referee: Paul Apap.