Ghajnsielem trounce Victoria Hotspurs

Victoria Hotspurs 1
Ghajnsielem 5

Ghajnsielem are the winners of the BoV Super Cup for the fourth time in their history after a convincing 5-1 victory over Victoria Hotspurs.

These two teams caused a surprise in reaching the final as Victoria defeated newly-crowned champions Zebbug Rovers 1-0 with a second-half goal by Noel Borg while Ghajnsielem eliminated league runners-up Nadur Youngsters with a 5-2 victory.

Matthew Portelli struck a brace for Ghajnsielem whose other goals were netted by Domenique Mbueko (penalty), Joe Attard and Kalenga Ndayi.

In the final, the Hotspurs saw more of the ball in the first half, going close to scoring with efforts by Reuben Mercieca and Uwa Ogbodo.

Four minutes from the end of the first half, the two teams ended with ten players. Victoria's Joseph Mizzi and Joe Attard of Ghajnsielem were dismissed for an off-the-ball incident.

The Blacks surged ahead three minutes into the second half, Jeremy Camilleri firing the ball home after receiving from Brian Meilak.

Victoria were stunned and three minutes later they fell further behind when Frank Buttigieg scored with a fine lob from outside the penalty area. The score became 3-0 in the 55th minute through Portelli's header following a cross by Loretu Scicluna.

Victoria now tried harder to get themselves back in the match but Ghajnsielem's goalkeeper Eric Mercieca foiled efforts by Buttigieg, Mercieca and Noel Borg.

Their slim hopes of a comeback were ended when Ndayi increased Ghajnsielem's lead 14 minutes from time following a confused action in the area. Barely a minute passed when Ndayi made it 5-0 following a fast break.

Victoria had a shot by Mercieca hitting the post before they scored a consolation goal eight minutes from the end.

They were awarded a penalty for a handsball by Pace which Mercieca converted to break his team's duck. That goal was of academic significance as Ghajnsielem had long sealed the issue.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Sannat Lions relegated

Xewkija Tigers, Kercem Ajax and Sannat Lions were involved in a three-team relegation play-off after they shared the bottom position in the Div. One standings on 16 points.

Sannat Lions suffered automatic demotion after losing both their matches in the play-offs.

In the first match, Sannat were defeated 2-1 by Xewkija Tigers. Xewkija opened a two-goal lead inside the first five minutes thanks to Sabri Rais and Mark Camilleri.

On 33 minutes, Cristiano de Oliveira revived Sannat's hopes but despite having plenty of time to score an equaliser, Sannat failed to find the net. During stoppage time, Sannat had Julius Ngangue sent off for a second yellow card.

In the second match, Kercem Ajax obtained a 2-0 victory over Sannat. Their goals arrived after the break through Dragomir Draganov and Ryan Buttigieg. Lauran Pisani was red-carded for Sannat just before Kercem's second goal.

This evening, Xewkija Tigers and Kercem Ajax face each other in the last match from the relegation play-offs. The winner of this encounter will secure their Division One status whereas the loser will have to face St Lawrence Spurs in the relegation-promotion play-off on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Gozo FA are organising a mini-tournament in aid of Fondazzjoni Arka tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Gozo Stadium

The tournament will be contested by three teams: one representing Gozo FC, one comprising African players and a team made up of players who have dual citizenship. The duration of each match is 45 minutes.

Division Two

The final matches from the Sprite Division Two campaign were played last weekend. Champions Xaghra United were officially promoted to the top division while St Lawrence Spurs will contest the relegation-promotion play-off against the team that finishes sixth in Division One.

Xaghra United and St Lawrence Spurs earned a point each after their last league match produced a goalless draw.

Oratory Youths claimed third spot in the table with a 2-1 victory over Gharb Rangers.

George Scicluna gave Oratory an 18th minute lead but Godfrey Galea levelled the scores with a goal three minutes after the break.

Mario Farrugia scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute to hand the three points to Oratory.

SK Victoria Wanderers ended the championship on an excellent note. They strolled to an 8-0 victory over Qala St Joseph.

Anthony Ewurum scored a hat-trick, Chris Sciortino and Daniel Muscat each hit a double with Alan Cini getting the other goal for the free-scoring Wanderers.