Xewkija net last-gasp winner

Xewkija Tigers joined SK Victoria Wanderers at the top of the GFA Division One standings last weekend after beating the ten-man Citizens 2-1 in a match that attracted a sizeable crowd despite the inclement weather.

Xewkija took to the field without Gilbert Agius who was suspended. Keith Fenech was also unavailable but Chris Camilleri made a return after starting the season with Kerċem Ajax.

The Tigers held territorial supremacy for long stretches, profiting from an extra man for almost an hour after the Wanderers lost much of their attacking potency when Peter Anizoba was sent off in the first half for a crude challenge on goalkeeper Adrian Parnis.

Despite playing with 10 men, the Wanderers tried hard not to finish empty-handed and almost succeeded in earning a precious point but conceded a goal very late in the match.

The Tigers had an early Rodney Buttigieg effort crashing against the crossbar as Victoria keeper Simon Agius was also called to make fine saves from attempts by Camilleri and Dene Shields.

The Wanderers suffered a blow on 31 minutes when Anizoba’s extended foot struck Parnis inside the box and the referee dismissed the Nigerian striker.

Fernando Giarrizzo’s shot flashed just wide of the Xewkija goal but just before half-time the Tigers opened the scoring through Christian Bugeja who tapped home from a Shields pass.

The Tigers retained the upper-hand in the second half and efforts by Buttigieg and Camilleri were repelled by Agius.

The Wanderers were dangerous through counter-breaks. Twenty minutes from time, they levelled matters with a fine Giarrizzo header from a free-kick.

Xewkija pushed more players in attack and their efforts were rewarded on the stroke of time when Gennaro Hili’s cross was headed in goal by Mark Camilleri.

In another match from the GFA top flight, Kerċem Ajax prolonged their fine run of late with a 3-0 win over Oratory Youths.

Kerċem are fourth in the table and within reach of the top teams in the race for the title.

They dominated Oratory, going ahead on 23 minutes through a tap-in by Malcolm Vella following a low cross by Andrew Mizzi.

Mizzi doubled the score before half-time and Kerċem sealed victory with a third goal from Ian Xuereb.

In a match from Division Two, Għajnsielem beat lowly Għarb Rangers 3-1 to take sole leadership in the standings.

Kenny Hili’s opener for the Blacks was cancelled by Jerry Anyanwu’s equaliser for Għarb early in the second half.

However, Għajnsielem never lost hope and goals by Charlon Tabone and Joseph Attard saw the team through in the end.

Żebbuġ Rovers moved away from bottom place with a 1-0 win over fellows-in-distress Qala Saints.

The Rovers scored the goal that decided the issue through Michael Zerafa eight minutes from time.