Nadur Youngsters profit from Zebbug's slip-up to go top

Nadur Youngsters took advantage of Zebbug's first defeat in the championship to move top of the table following a dramatic victory over Ghajnsielem. With Zebbug managing one win and four draws, the Youngsters have wiped out a six-point deficit in the second round. Their rise to top could not have come at a better time as they go into this weekend's direct clash with Zebbug enjoying a one-point lead.

Nadur Youngsters 3
Ghajnsielem 2

Nadur Youngsters are now favourites to retain the title after gaining three invaluable points in their match against Ghajnsielem.

Victory in this entertaining game could have gone either way, Nadur reaping the rewards for their efforts in the final moments when they turned the result in their favour.

Ghajnsielem made the better start to surge ahead in the ninth minute through Joseph Attard following a good action by Kalenga Ndayi.

Nadur's immediate reaction yielded several scoring opportunities especially through debutant Panic. The Youngsters were on level terms on the stroke of half-time thanks to Charles Hili who tapped home after an inviting pass by Anthony Portelli.

The game continued to be interesting and 18 minutes from time, Ghajnsielem regained their lead when Ndayi finished off a fast break.

Nadur found it difficult to find a way past Ghajnsielem's goal but they refused to give up. Their persistence paid dividends three minutes from time when substitute Joseph Portelli took a rebound from the goalkeeper and fired home.

The Blacks were stunned and their disappointment turned into delusion when the Youngsters snatched a late winner through Anthony Portelli following an action by Alex Simoncic.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Sannat Lions 3
Zebbug Rovers 2

Sannat Lions sprang one of the biggest surprises of the championship when they inflicted the first defeat on title contenders Zebbug Rovers.

Gothard Conti was the toast of Sannat as his hat-trick gave them the three points.

Zebbug's first-half domination was exchanged into a deserved two-goal lead. John Eboh put them ahead in the 20th minute after some fine work by Leandro. Seven minutes later, the score became 2-0 through a direct free-kick by Mahjoub Touali.

Stimulated rather than demoralised by their opponents' flying start, the Lions took their game to their opponents after the break and turned the result in their favour with three goals in seven minutes.

Conti reduced the arrears in the 53rd minute direct from a corner kick before levelling the score six minutes later. Conti completed his personal hat-trick on the hour after an action by Mark Formosa.

Zebbug took some time to recover from this shock but when they did, their reaction was confused.

After Sannat's Sandro Azzopardi was sent off in the 74th minute, the Rovers had two clear chances to salvage a draw. A free-kick by Leandro hit the crossbar and Sannat defender Lauran Pisani cleared off the line a good shot by Eboh.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Victoria Hotspurs 2
Kercem Ajax 2

A draw between Victoria Hotspurs and Kercem Ajax further complicated matters at the wrong end of the table.

This match was considered a relegation showdown with the two teams desperate for the points to move away from the red zone.

Sylvester could have given Kercem a perfect start but his attempt came off the woodwork in the third minute. The Ajax did not have to wait long to open their account. They were awarded a penalty for a foul on Dragomir Draganov who converted the spotkick.

Victoria drew level on 15 minutes with a goal by Victor Egere following a cross from the flank by fellow Nigerian Uwa Ogbodo.

Five minutes into the second half, Kercem's goalkeeper Attard had to make a difficult save to send to a corner a shot by Noel Borg.

Kercem regained the lead 16 minutes from the end of the game. Victoria goalkeeper Vella blocked two consecutive shots by substitute Ryan Buttigieg but from the resultant corner-kick, Draganov headed home.

Victoria's ability to remain focused despite their one-goal deficit turned out to be their winning card as they grabbed an equaliser six minutes from the end.

Referee Alan Mario Sant ordered a penalty for a foul on Victor Egere who completed the formalities from the 11-metre spot.

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Division Two

Xaghra United extended their perfect record, beating SK Victoria Wanderers 4-1 for their eighth successive win.

John Camilleri and Daniel Attard were on mark in the first half to give them a 2-0 lead.

Victoria pulled one back in the 76th minute with a Kevin Azzopardi goal but Camilleri and Errol Grima scored again as Xaghra emerged comfortable winners, 4-1.

In the other match, Gharb Rangers registered their second consecutive positive result after a 1-1 draw with Qala St Joseph. The two goals were scored during the first period.

Jason Mizzi had sent Qala ahead but Gharb levelled soon after through Twanny Farrugia.