Nadur win Independence Cup for ninth time

Nadur Youngsters 2
Ghajnsielem 0

Nadur Youngsters are the winners of the 26th edition of the Independence Cup after they upstaged Ghajnsielem 2-0 in the final.

The Youngsters were the better team throughout, scoring a goal in each half to secure this honour for the third consecutive season and the ninth time in their history.

Nadur surged ahead in the opening stages of the match, Romanian midfielder Filip Marius tapping the ball home after a goalmouth melee in the Ghajnsielem box.

Gradually, Ghajnsielem began to share the exchanges and Francisco De Andrade thought he had equalised matters midway through the half but the 'goal' was disallowed for offside. The Brazilian was also unlucky to see another effort hitting the bar on the stroke of half-time.

The Blacks' bid to get back on level terms was further undermined when, early in the second half, skipper Frankie Buttigieg was dismissed after he collected two quick yellow cards for protests.

Playing with a man less, Ghajnsielem found themselves in great difficulty and only a string of fine saves from their goalkeeper Agius kept them in the game.

Nwankwo missed two glaring chances late on but he made amends by sealing his team's win with a goal in stoppage time.

Nadur: J. Xuereb, P. Buttigieg, J. Meilaq (S. Attard), F. Marius, I. Djordjevic (J. Buttigieg), M. Portelli, B. Meilak, F.P. Azzopardi (K. Mifsud), E. Nwankwo, A. Portelli, J.C. Portelli.

Ghajnsielem: V. Agius, F. Buttigieg, C. Mercieca, J. Buttigieg, L. De Castro, J. Attard, F. De Andrade, L. Buttigieg, D. Azzopardi (R. Apap), S. Azzopardi (M. Refalo), F.L. Galea.

Referee: Adrian Azzopardi.

Division One

Xewkija Tigers 2
Ghajnsielem 4

Ghajnsielem chalked up three points with a 4-2 victory over Xewkija Tigers that confirmed the Blacks' potential to offer a stronger challenge in the top division this season.

This was a match between two teams seeking the first victory of the championship. Both had a player missing due to suspension, Andreas Fotso (Xewkija) and Frankie Butti-gieg (Ghajnsielem). Xewkija had veteran Joe Camilleri (ex-Nadur) and Paul Rapa making their debut.

Ghajnsielem's victory matured in the second half with striker Fernando de Andrade stealing the show by scoring a hat-trick.

On the other hand, the Tigers were punished for their poor finishing.

In the early stages of the game, it was Xewkija who went close to scoring with a shot by Edmond Tchawou, while Ghajnsielem's goalie Victor Agius made good saves from efforts by Domenic Cilia and Saviour Farrugia.

Ghajnsielem's best opportunity was a low shot by Joseph Attard that shaved the post. After Tchawou hit the crossbar, Xewkija opened the scoring in the 40th minute when Farrugia touched the ball home from a floated pass by Tchawou.

Ghajnsielem made an immediate reaction to level the scores on the stroke of half-time from a direct free-kick by Leandro de Castro.

After a balanced opening to the second half, Ghajnsielem turned the result in their favour in the 55th minute when De Andrade scored from a penalty after the same player had been fouled by Camilleri.

Xewkija were rattled and in the 70th minute, Ghajnsielem's De Andrade made it 3-1 when firing the ball home following a corner action.

Eight minutes from time, De Andrade incredibly concluded wide in front of an open goal and Xewkija made the most of their opponents' missed chance by reducing the arrears through Joseph Azzopardi.

However, Ghajnsielem soon sealed the issue, De Andrade completing a personal hat-trick after finishing off a counter-break in the dying minutes.

Xewkija: J. Grima, J. Cefai, J. Camilleri, A. Said, P. Spiteri (M. Pace), D. Cilia (C. Borg), P. Rapa (R. Said), J. Azzopardi, S. Farrugia, E. Tchawou, M. Camilleri.

Ghajnsielem: V. Agius, R. Apap, C. Mercieca, J. Buttigieg, L. De Castro, J. Camilleri, J. Attard (M. Refalo), F. De Andrade, L. Buttigieg, D. Azzopardi (S. Azzopardi), F.L. Galea.

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Division Two

The first round of matches from the Sprite Division Two League produced victories for Victoria Hotspurs, Gharb Rangers and Oratory Youths.

Victoria Hotspurs started their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Zebbug Rovers. Fabiano Bassi (68, 87) and Ryan Grech (76) scored Victoria's goals after Zebbug had missed a great opportunity to take the lead after 29 minutes as Philip Cardona's penalty strike ended wide.

Gharb Rangers were 2-1 winners over SK Victoria Wanderers. Abdul Mutalib put Gharb ahead after 16 minutes but the Wanderers' reaction procured a 66th minute equaliser through Ige Adesina. Gharb made sure of the three points with an 88th minute goal from substitute Saviour Cassar.

Oratory Youths began their league campaign on a flying note, hammering St Lawrence Spurs 4-1. The Spurs were first to score thanks to an Ishaky Umoru penalty after eight minutes. But a hat-trick by Morgan Onuorah (26, 38, 76) all but settled the issue in favour of Oratory. Ejiofor Nkwocka made it 4-1 for the Youths in the 87th minute.