Victoria too hot for Youngsters

Nadur Youngsters 1
Victoria Hotspurs 4

Victoria Hotspurs boosted their title aspirations following this impressive victory over the erstwhile unbeaten leaders Nadur Youngsters. The latter are still on top of the standings, one point ahead of the Hotspurs who played a match more.

Victoria played their cards well and adopted a cautious approach banking on fast breaks from Brazilian strikers Fabiano Bassi and Ricardo Saverino. Nadur got it all wrong and found it extremely difficult to match Victoria's tactics and speed, giving away three penalties that led to their downfall.

Nadur looked the better team in the early stages. The best chance fell to Joseph Portelli whose lob ended over the bar.

The Hotspurs opened the score on the half-hour mark. Saverino was floored in the box by Saviour Attard and a penalty was given. Saverino made no mistake.

Nadur had an immediate reaction and before half-time Eric Nkwankwo concluded badly following a cross by Alex Simoncic.

Nadur increased the pressure after the break, going close to scoring an equaliser on various occasions following efforts by Charles Hili, Anthony Portelli and Joseph Portelli.

But the Hotspurs doubled their lead on 64 minutes from another penalty, awarded for a foul on Saverino. The Brazilian made it 2-0 from the spot.

Luck was not on Nadur's side and when a Portelli effort hit the Hotspurs bar, the leaders must have realised that it was not their day.

Nine minutes from time Saverino collected his hat-trick with a rasping shot from an angle.

Nadur did pull a goal back with a superb Anthony Portelli drive but the Hotspurs re-established the three-goal difference a minute from time when keeper Jonathan Xuereb floored Bassi in the box to give away another penalty. The Brazilian made it 4-1 from the spot.

Nadur: J. Xuereb, M. Filip, S. Attard, D. Odovic, J. Buttigieg (P. Buttigieg), A. Simoncic, C. Camilleri, C. Hili, A. Portelli, E. Nkwankwo, J. Portelli.

Victoria: M. Grima, D. Farrugia, J.P. Grima, C. Attard, M. Vella, R. Grech, M. Buttigieg (Ant. Briffa) N. Borg, J. Portelli, R. Saverino (S. Xuereb), F. Bassi.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Sannat Lions 3
Kercem Ajax 1

Sannat moved to the third place in the standings following this victory against bottom-placed Kercem Ajax who succumbed to two late goals after producing a remarkable challenge.

The Lions opened the score in the 21st minute following a low shot by Frankie Debono. Kercem hit back admirably and scored an equaliser just before half-time with a goal by Gothard Conti.

The Lions had Cristiano de Oliveira sent off in the 53rd minute for a foul on Alex Ribic.

Kercem grew in confidence but Sannat held composure and regained the lead 19 minutes from time with a Mark Muscat header from a Fernando de Andrade cross.

Kercem were close to level the score but then Camilleri was sent off for retaliation and the Lions made sure of the victory with a stoppage-time de Andrade penalty, which also led to the expulsion of Darko Stojanovic.

Sannat: D. Bajada, P. Spiteri, F. Debono (S. Rais), C. de Oliveira, A. Debono (N. Micallef), J. Agius, M. Muscat, M. Cutajar, F. de Andrade, E. Grima, K. Mercieca.

Kercem: C. Mercieca, F. Camilleri, J. Mercieca, G. Conti (J. Debrincat), D. Stojanovic, M. Tabone, E. Nkwocha, A. Ribic (M. Vella), M. Azzopardi, J.P. Mizzi, E. Hussain.

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Division Two

Zebbug Rovers and Munxar Falcons shared the spoils in a one-all draw. Munxar opened the score four minutes before the break with a Patrick Falzon goal.

The Falcons had Robert Said sent off in the 83rd minute and the Rovers profited from the extra player to score an equaliser one minute later through Basil Chibueze.