Nadur bounce back

Xaghra United 0
Nadur Youngsters 2

Nadur Youngsters halted a negative run of results with a deserved 2-0 victory over Xaghra United.

The Youngsters opened the scoring after three minutes, Alex Simoncic's long-range shot surprising goalkeeper Donald Gauci.

Despite Xaghra's attempts to make a reaction, Nadur continued to be the more dangerous side. A shot by Jeffrey Meilaq came off the bar and a Simoncic free-kick was cleared off the line by Sammy Frank Bajada.

The Blues piled the pressure on Nadur after the break but their best opportunity to level the scores arrived in the 81st minute from a Leandro Blanco de Castro free-kick that was saved by keeper Jonathan Xuereb.

Nadur secured the three points in the fourth minute of stoppage time when Chris Camilleri headed home from a cross by Anthony Portelli.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Sannat Lions 4
Victoria Hotspurs 1

Sannat Lions obtained an important victory over Victoria Hotspurs in a direct clash between two teams aiming to challenge Nadur for the title.

Brazilian Fernando de Andrade scored a hat-trick for the Lions.

A strong start by Sannat saw them taking an early lead, de Andrade firing home after a solo move. Victoria equalised three minutes later with a direct free-kick by Jason Portelli.

However, Sannat regained the lead 10 minutes later thanks to a fine free-kick by De Andrade.

Growing in confidence, Sannat went 3-1 up in the 28th minute with another goal by de Andrade.

Victoria were shocked and goalkeeper Mark Grima made fine saves on attempts by Kenneth Mercieca and de Andrade before half-time.

Victoria might have re-opened the issue in the 49th minute but Ricardo Saverino concluded badly from close range. They went close again with efforts from Fabiano Bassi and Daniel Farrugia. However, the Lions closed the match when Mercieca finished off a counter-attack in the 76th minute.

The Hotspurs, who are one point behind leaders Nadur, had captain Michael Vella sent off in the 88th minute for a foul on de Andrade.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Division Two

Munxar Falcons 1
SK Victoria W. 2

SK Victoria Wanderers made it a double over Munxar Falcons to join Xewkija Tigers at the top of the Division Two standings.

The Wanderers forged ahead in the 16th minute with a goal by Ajibade Adesina and doubled their lead in the 38th minute thanks to Mark Buttigieg.

Munxar pulled one back in the 46th minute through a Patrick Falzon penalty.

Victoria could have restored their two-goal lead on the hour but David Monday's penalty kick hit the post.

Referee: George Portelli.

Zebbug Rovers 5
Oratory Youths 2

Zebbug Rovers consolidated their mid-table position after a 5-2 victory over Oratory Youths.

Alex Sacco put Oratory ahead in the 32nd minute but the Rovers drew level two minutes before the break through Joseph Cordina. The latter fired his team ahead in the 58th minute before Basil Chibueze scored a quick hat-trick for a 5-1 lead.

Ishaku Umoru scored a late consolation goal for Oratory.

Referee: Reno Refalo.