SK Victoria Wanderers maintained their title challenge with a 2-1 victory over rivals Victoria Hotspurs in a keenly-contested derby. Thanks to this success, the Wanderers have narrowed the gap on leaders Sannat Lions to just one point.
The two Victoria rivals started the match with the same number of points and sharing second place in the table. Victoria Hotspurs were without Noel Borg and Jason Portelli due to suspension but gave a debut to Dutch striker Lenny Netteb. The derby meant that Chris Buttigieg had a baptism of fire as the new coach of the Hotspurs after replacing Giovan Bugeja.
For their part, the Wanderers made some tactical changes and adopted a prudent approach.
The Hotspurs dominated the early exchanges, going close to scoring in the sixth minute through Jesmond Xerri whose effort was turned away for a corner by goalkeeper Marlon Mercieca with the aid of the crossbar.
As the first half progressed, the Wanderers improved. They forged ahead in the 32nd minute through Ajibade Adesina and might have doubled the score seconds from half-time when an attempt by Ige Adesina flew inches wide. The Wanderers went 2-0 up six minutes into the second half when Ige Adesina scored with a low shot.
Victoria Hotspurs looked out for the count but they hit back in the final stages. They re-opened the issue when Fabiano Bassi converted a penalty 13 minutes from time.
In the dying moments, Wanderers' goalkeeper Mercieca preserved his side's slender lead with good saves from a free-kick by Bassi and an attempt by Xerri.
In the other match from the top flight last weekend, Għajnsielem did the double on Nadur Youngsters after beating them 4-3.
It was an entertaining match with Għajnsielem in dominant form for the first hour of play and Nadur making a bold reaction in the final 30 minutes.
Errol Grima gave the Blacks a second-minute lead but goals from Joseph C. Portelli in the seventh minute and Joseph S. Portelli in the 18th turned the result in Nadur's favour.
Għajnsielem were not demoralised and duly piled the pressure on Nadur to level matters midway through the first half with a well-taken free-kick by Joseph Attard.
As Nadur struggled for inspiration, the Blacks went on to establish a two-goal lead by half-time with goals by Attard and Grima.
After the break, Għajnsielem wasted a hatful of scoring opportunities and as the game wore on, Nadur regained their composure.
Nine minutes into the second half, the champions should have narrowed the deficit when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Tunde on Akram Gseaa but Alex Simoncic's drive from the spot was parried by goalie Jonathan Xuereb.
Nadur gained a lifeline when Gseaa scored in the 79th minute to reduce Għajnsielem's advantage to one goal.
Late in the match, Għajnsielem goalkeeper Xuereb made an excellent save from a free-kick by Simoncic to defend his team's winning position.
Division One summaries
Victoria Hotspurs 1
Bassi 77 pen.
SK Victoria Wanderers 2
A. Adesina 32; I. Adesina 51
Victoria Hotspurs
M. Grima, M. Vella, A. Tramboo, A. Zammit, JP. Grima (M. Cordina), F. Bassi, R. Grech, L. Netteb, M. Buttigieg (J. Mizzi), D. Farrugia, J. Xerri.
SK Victoria W.
M. Mercieca, K. Azzopardi, M. Grech, F. Magrin, D.U. Monday, J. Refalo, R. Williams (L. Dimech), M. Buttigieg (J. N. Attard), C. Sciortino, I. Adesina, A. Adesina.
Referee: Andre Arciola.
Għajnsielem 4
Grima 2, 42; J. Attard 23, 40
Nadur Youngsters 3
J.C. Portelli 7; J.S. Portelli 18; Gseaa 79
Għajnsielem
J. Xuereb, F. Buttigieg, L. Tunde (K. Mercieca), C. Mercieca, J. Buttigieg, E. Grima, L. Buttigieg, M. Cremona, S. Goncalves (F.L. Galea), B. Meilak, J. Attard.
Nadur Youngsters
S. Sultana, J. Meilaq, S. Attard, J. Buttigieg, A. Simoncic, B. Timotic, J. Said (C. Attard), J.S. Portelli, S. Muscat, A. Gseaa, J.C. Portelli.
Referee: Paul Caruana.
Division Two summaries
St Lawrence Spurs 1
Sulaiman 26
Oratory Youths 1
Cini 53
Referee: Joe Agius.
Red cards: Attard (L) 37; Grech (O) 66.
Xewkija Tigers 3
Buttigieg 53; Cefai 70; Fotso 86
Xagħra United 0
Referee: George Portelli.
Red card: M. Pace (X) 48.