Nadur join Zebbug at the top

Nadur Youngsters enjoyed a good Christmas as their win over Ghajnsielem sent them top of the table alongside Zebbug Rovers. In the lower part of the classification, things are getting tighter as four teams are within three points of each other.

Zebbug Rovers 1
Ghajnsielem 1

This was a match between the erstwhile only undefeated teams in this division.

Zebbug went into this encounter on the back of three consecutive victories while Ghajnsielem had obtained mixed results in their previous outings. At the end, Ghajnsielem spurned a golden opportunity to pull off a surprise as they conceded the equaliser in the final minutes.

The Blacks took the game to Zebbug from the start and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Jeremy Camilleri.

Ghajnsielem continued to be the better side but were denied more goals by their former goalkeeper Xuereb who made difficult saves from shots by Errol Grima and Camilleri.

Zebbug started the second half as the brighter side but Ghajnsielem remained more dangerous especially with fast breaks from Ndayi and Mbueko.

The Rovers were unlucky in the 61st minute when a free-kick by Leandro hit the crossbar. On 73 minutes, Zebbug were reduced to 10 players when Alex Tramboo was shown a second yellow card.

Despite this setback, Zebbug managed to level the score six minutes from time thanks to Silvan Galea's close-range effort after John Eboh's shot had come off the crossbar.

In the final minutes, Zebbug missed their best scoring opportunity through Eboh. The Blacks had substitute Joseph Buttigieg sent off by the referee during stoppage time for a second caution.

Referee: Chris Lautier.

Victoria Hotspurs 3
Sannat Lions 2

Victoria Hotspurs gathered their first points of the championship after a deserved victory over Sannat Lions.

The Hotspurs have now leap-frogged Sannat in the table.

Sannat took the lead in the 11th minute thanks to Dione Lautier's header but Victoria equalised five minutes later with an own goal by James Buttigieg following a shot by Reuben Mercieca.

Victoria had their noses in front in the 33rd minute, Noel Borg striking home after picking up a loose ball in Sannat's area.

Sannat were unlucky not to restore equilibrium when a free-kick by Cristiano de Oliveira hit the crossbar.

The Citizens increased their lead 20 minutes into the second half when they were awarded a penalty. Victor Egere converted from the 11-metre mark.

Sannat Lions now upped the tempo in a bid to reopen the issue but Victoria goalkeeper Vella distinguished himself with good saves from efforts by Dkissi, Mutalib and John Vella, who was sent off one minute from time for a second yellow card.

Lautier reduced the arrears for Sannat in injury time but his goal only had academic significance as Victoria held on to their victory.

Referee: Alex Arena.

Xewkija Tigers 1
Kercem Ajax 0

Xewkija Tigers had the better of Kercem Ajax to record their first victory in the championship.

Kercem's early flurry had them creating the better scoring opportunities through Draganov.

However, Xewkija scored what proved to be the decisive goal in the 32nd minute, Sabri Rais heading home following a cross by Njoku.

Kercem tried to bounce back but were denied the equaliser by Xewkija custodian Debono who saved a close-range shot by Belhaj.

The Ajax increased the pressure in the second period but suffered a blow on 65 minutes when Christian Sylvester was given his marching orders by referee Anton Zammit after receiving a second yellow card.

This decision infuriated the Kercem officials and the protests of coach Todor Raykov and his assistant prompted the referee to send them to the stands.

Xewkija were also reduced to ten players late in the game when Christian Bugeja was shown the red card.

During stoppage time, Kercem had an excellent opportunity to level but Draganov's attempt was blocked by defender Martin Cremona.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Ghajnsielem 0
Nadur Youngsters 2

Nadur Youngsters joined Zebbug at the top of the Division One table thanks to a merited 2-0 success over Ghajnsielem. Zebbug have played a game fewer than Nadur.

There was no difference between the two sides in a balanced first half.

Ghajnsielem's Ndayi's cross-shot bounced off the post but midway through the first half, it was Nadur who threatened to charge ahead but were foiled by Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Eric Mercieca. He effected some fine saves on attempts by Anthony and Joseph Portelli.

Just before half-time, Nadur's goalkeeper Vella was forced into a difficult save from a free-kick by Errol Grima.

Five minutes into the second half, Mark Marlow scored directly from a free-kick to put Nadur in the driving seat.

Ghajnsielem staged an immediate reaction. Grima hesitated in front of goal and his final shot was deflected away by Bonello.

In the 58th minute, Nadur were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ihbeulu but Mercieca saved Anthony Portelli's shot from the spot.

However, Portelli made amends for his miss when, three minutes later, he retrieved a short clearance inside the area and fired the ball home.

Ghajnsielem could have bounced back in contention in the 72nd minute but Camilleri's shot was cleared off the line by substitute Kevin Buttigieg.

Referee: Paul Caruana.