Impressive Blacks go top as Ihbeulu hits four

Ghajnsielem 1
Xewkija Tigers 0

This match, played last week, saw Ghajnsielem garnering full points from a difficult encounter against strong challengers Xewkija Tigers.

During the first period Ghajnsielem were the better side but Dimitrov, Portelli and Buttigieg failed to net their chances.

Xewkija improved after the break and could have opened the score through efforts by Rais and Conti. However, it was Ghajnsielem who hit the decisive goal in the 87th minute when Ihbeulu released Martin Cremona who hit home the winner.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Nadur Youngsters 1
Xaghra United 0

Nadur found it more difficult than expected to win this match against newly-promoted Xaghra, the enthusiastic newcomers bolstered by their victory in their opening match.

Xaghra were aggressive all the way, Mercieca denied by the bar early on. Nadur, however, scored in their first serious attack. In the 16th minute Chris Camilleri found the Xaghra net with a shot from outside the area that surprised goalie Agius.

Xaghra doubled up their efforts in the second half but in the 89th minute they had Simon Sultana sent off for retaliation. Nadur then could have sealed the issue but substitute Joseph Portelli concluded wide with an open goal at his mercy.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Qala SJ 0
Zebbug Rovers 1

This was Zebbug's second victory in a row. They were the better side throughout with strikers Silvan Galea and Gilbert Gah Dinga very much in the thick of action.

Zebbug broke the stalemate in the 36th minute with a Galea goal from a corner action.

Qala came searching for an equaliser in the second period and piled up the pressure on Zebbug's rearguard. Goalie Xuereb was kept busy and effected a series of saves to deny Ngangue and Joseph Grech from scoring an equaliser

Referee: Joseph Camilleri.

Ghajnsielem 6
Qala SJ 1

Ghajnsielem were again in action on Wednesday, registering a handsome win over Qala with striker Aloysius Ihbeulu scoring four of the Blacks' six goals.

He opened the score in the ninth minute before Dione Lautier made it 2-0 soon after. Ghajnsielem continued to dominate and just before half-time Lautier increased their lead.

In the 63rd minute Qala pulled one back after an own goal by goalie Sammy Attard. Qala, encouraged by this goal, ventured forward more frequently now but Ghajnsielem's fast counter-attacks left their mark.

First, Ihbeulu made it 4-1 in the 74th minute from a penalty for a handball by Cefai and in stoppage time he scored two more goals to make the final score 6-1 for the Blacks.

Referee: George Portelli.

Sprite Division II

Gharb made an excellent start, spurred on by their determination to make up for last season's upset when completing their league trek without a single point. So far, they have already won four points from two matches.

Last weekend, Gharb defeated neighbours St Lawrence Spurs 4-2, their goals coming from Roy Vella, Peter Ohaka and John Cassar (2). Michael Micallef and Josef Galea scored for the losers as Gharb had to play the last nine minutes with a man short after Ohaka was red-carded.

SK Victoria Wanderers recovered from a heavy defeat in their first match to obtain a 4-1 victory over Oratory Youths.

Two goals from Larry Vella, a goal by substitute Simon Gatt and an own goal by Manuel Farrugia did the trick for the Wanderers.