Fine wins for Ghajnsielem, Zebbug

Ghajnsielem have regained sole leadership in Division One after a handsome victory over Victoria Hotspurs. Zebbug recovered some lost ground thanks to the three points won after beating Xaghra U. 3-0.

Ghajnsielem 5
Victoria Hotspurs 0

This was indeed an impressive victory for the Blacks which has taken them two points clear of Nadur.

The Hotspurs' resistance lasted only 45 minutes. Their hopes vanished after the break when Ghajnsielem scored their five goals.

Ghajnsielem were missing their top scorer Aloysius Ihbeulu but had former Hotspurs player Reuben Mercieca making his debut in attack.

However, the toast of the town for the Blacks was Joseph Attard, who scored twice and set up the two other goals. Isaac Mopi was making his debut for Victoria.

Lautier opened the scoring after 51 minutes as Ghajnsielem seized the initiative.

The score became 2-0 in the 60th minute when Joseph Buttigieg fired home from a corner-kick action. In the last few minutes, Ghajnsielem continued to make their superiority pay. Attard notched two more goals while substitute Matthew Portelli got the fifth with three minutes to go.

Referee: George Portelli.

Zebbug Rovers 3
Xaghra United 0

This match was billed as the highlight of the weekend, a direct clash between two very combative teams that have turned in some very good performances this season.

However, Xaghra failed to put on a decent showing and were never up to the challenge. Zebbug showed better qualities early on but Xaghra's only goalscoring attempt almost gave them the lead but a Mercieca free-kick sailed over the crossbar.

Zebbug kept up the pressure after the interval and surged ahead in the 54th minute courtesy of an excellent strike by Philip Cardona.

Xaghra were demoralised and in the 59th minute Charles Mercieca made it 2-0 with a low drive from the edge of the area. In the 63rd minute it was 3-0 for the Rovers when Victor Egere headed home from a rebound.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Sprite Division II league

Sannat Lions somewhat recovered from their upset the previous weekend after earning a point from their tricky match against Kercem Ajax. The Lions are now joint leaders with Gharb Rangers in Division Two.

Sannat and Kercem shared four goals. Josef Bajada put Kercem ahead in the seventh minute but Sannat levelled matters 20 minutes later through Abdul el Mutalib. Franco Azzopardi had Kercem back in the driving seat soon after the break but Sannat saved a point thanks to a Mario Apap own goal.

Oratory Youths won the derby against SK Victoria Wanderers 1-0. The all-important goal for Oratory came in the 29th minute through Mario Farrugia.