Tigers beat Rovers to regain top spot
Zebbug Rovers 0Xewkija Tigers 2\nXewkija Tigers gained revenge for their only defeat in the league when obtaining a 2-0 victory over champions Zebbug Rovers. The Tigers regained top spot in the standings, one point ahead of rivals Ghajnsielem who have...
Zebbug Rovers 0
Xewkija Tigers 2
\nXewkija Tigers gained revenge for their only defeat in the league when obtaining a 2-0 victory over champions Zebbug Rovers. The Tigers regained top spot in the standings, one point ahead of rivals Ghajnsielem who have played a game more.
For this match, Xewkija had Touali Mahjoub (ex-Zebbug ) back in their ranks but they had to do without Sabri Rais, injured, and Martin Cremona, suspended.
Zebbug also had two debutants, Charles Mercieca, formerly of St Lawrence, and Dragomir Draganov, who spent the first half of the season with Marsaxlokk.
Xewkija enjoyed a better start and opened the scoring on 11 minutes through Thierry Tazameta who was put through by Ngangue.
Zebbug came through their difficult start to put some pressure on Xewkija. A header by Draganov from a corner action hit the crossbar and, from the rebound, the same player saw his second attempt cleared off the line by Jason Portelli.
Zebbug's hopes of bridging the gap suffered a setback when Charles Mercieca was sent off for a second yellow card just before the end of the first half. Central defender Franco Magrin followed him into the dressing room when, with four minutes of the second half gone, he was red-carded for a foul on Tazameta.
Nonetheless, Zebbug tried to keep their attacking momentum, going close to an equaliser on 60 minutes but Draganov headed weakly from close distance following a cross by Joseph Cordina.
Xewkija were reduced to ten players on 70 minutes when Lawrence Attard received his second booking.
It was only in the final stages of the game that Xewkija took advantage of their extra player on the field. Tazameta and Udochukwu Nwoko both missed inviting scoring opportunities but the latter made sure of the points when he poached the ball home after a shot by substitute Mifsud was partially blocked by Agius.
Zebbug: V. Agius, P. Ohaka, J. Cordina, A. Tramboo, F. Magrin, J. Utulu, C. Mercieca, L. Quinhione (C. Cini 90), S. Galea (M. Cordina 46), D. Draganov, P. Cardona.
Xewkija: J. Xuereb, B. Njoku, L. Attard, R. Camilleri (C. Bugeja 86), S. Farrugia, M. Touali, J. Ngangue (J. Xerri 78), J. Portelli, M. Camilleri (I. Mifsud 69), U. Nwoko, T. Tazameta.
Referee: Adrian Casha
Nadur Youngsters 2
Kercem Ajax 0
Nadur Youngsters maintained their recent improvement, beating Kercem Ajax 2-0 to record their second victory in a row.
Kercem were led for the first time by coach Tony Grech, who replaced Mark Marlow, and also paraded debutant Mustadha Seidutony who had a quiet outing.
Aldrin Muscat marked his returned to Gozitan football by scoring one of Nadur's two goals.
Nadur were the better side in the first half, forging ahead after 11 minutes thanks to Eric Nkwanko who picked up a through pass by Nagem.
Their advantage should have been extended by the end of the first half but efforts by Muscat, Nkwanko and Simoncic did not yield dividends.
After the break, Kercem came out more aggressive and in the 49th minute, a corner by Frankie Camilleri was deflected onto the crossbar by Muscat. From the corner, Conti's attempt also came off the woodwork.
The game was as good as over when Nadur doubled their lead 11 minutes into the second half. Muscat took advantage of Walker's miskick following a free-kick by Simoncic and headed easily behind Aktpan.
Three minutes from the end of the game, Nadur could have increased their winning margin but a free-kick by Simoncic was saved by Aktpan.
Nadur: N. Muscat, K. Buttigieg, J. Camilleri, J. Mejlak, A. Simoncic, M. Bonello, C. Attard (C. Hili 84), A. Muscat, R. Nagem, A. Portelli (F. Azzopardi 90), E. Nkwanko.
Kercem: I. Aktpan, F. Camilleri, P. Camilleri, M. Cutajar, R. Walker, J. Vella, R. Buttigieg (F. Onovo 58), M. Seidutony, G. Conti, E. Vella, N. Veselji (J. Grech 65).
Referee: Clayton Pisani.