Qala St Joseph 0
Nadur Youngsters 3

Nadur are the sole leaders in Division One following a convincing victory over Qala St Joseph. The champions leapfrogged Sannat who were held to a goalless draw by Xewkija.

Nadur had to do without Brian Meilak and Peter Buttigieg but had Zdenek Svoboda (ex-Sliema Wanderers) making his debut.

They opened the score in the 13th minute with an Eric Nkwankwo tap-in.

The Saints tried to hit back but Nadur doubled their lead midway through the half from a penalty, awarded after a handball by Brian Portelli. Nkwankwo scored from the spot.

Qala had a good chance to narrow the deficit but Nadur keeper Jonathan Xuereb did well to hold out an Alex Ribic free-kick.

Minutes from half-time a Svoboda shot almost deceived the Saints keeper.

Nadur opted for possession after the break. Their keeper was called to make timely saves to stop Ribic as shots by Denis Abela and Mario Mifsud ended wide.

Nadur sealed the issue four minutes from time with a goal by Josef Buttigieg who received a perfect pass from Svoboda.

Qala: K. Grima, G. Cefai, I. Grech, B. Portelli, M. Bonello (C. Portelli), J. Xerri, M. Mifsud, P. Camilleri (D. Lautier), A. Ribic, D. Abela, K. Mercieca.

Nadur: J. Xuereb, S. Attard, J. Buttigieg, M. Filip, J. Meilaq, M. Portelli, Z. Svoboda, F.P. Azzopardi, A. Portelli, J.C. Portelli, E. Nkwankwo.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Xewkija Tigers 0
Sannat Lions 0

Sannat could not go beyond a goalless draw against bottom-placed Xewkija Tigers. Complacency may have crept into the Lions' ranks before this match but Xewkija produced a determined performance in their bid to stave off relegation.

Xewkija had efforts by Joseph Cefai and Michael Pace early in the match. However, Sannat soon took command only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Joseph Grima who made a series of timely saves.

The Lions doubled their efforts after the break. Sabri Rais concluded badly from an ideal position and Grima did well to stop a Ricardo Saverino shot. Sannat were unlucky eight minutes from time when a Noel Borg shot hit the woodwork.

Grima saved the match for Xewkija in stoppage time with a superb dive to hold out Saverino's shot and then a Mark Formosa header.

Xewkija: J. Grima, J. Cefai, A. Fotso, S. Mizzi, S. Farrugia, P. Camilleri, M. Pace, J. Dingli, R. Said (A. Said), M. Camilleri, E. Tchawou.

Sannat: P. Galea, A. Debono, M. Formosa, F. Magrin, P. Spiteri, C. de Oliveira, J. Vella, S. Rais, M. Muscat (S. Galea), E. Grima (N. Borg), R. Saverino.

Referee: Reno Refalo.

Division Two

Leaders Victoria Hotspurs cantered to their ninth league win after beating lowly St Lawrence Spurs 2-0 with goals form Fabiano Bassi and Gothard Conti.

In another match, SK Victoria Wanderers consolidated their second place with a 2-1 victory over Oratory Youths.

The Youths went ahead through debutant Stephen Borg. The Wanderers levelled from a Chris Sciortino free-kick and scored the winner on 70 minutes through Ige Adesina.

On the occasion of their 70th anniversary, Ghajnsielem FC have just published a football annual.

The book, dedicated to former player Frankie Xuereb, has been compiled by Loretu Scicluna, an ex-Ghajnsielem player. The cover features a photo of the first ever trophy contested in Gozitan football - the Zammit Cup. Ghajnsielem won that honour on May 21, 1936.