Xaghra complete double over Victoria

Xaghra United 3
Victoria Hotspurs 2

Xaghra made it a double over lowly Victoria Hotspurs besides moving to the upper half of the standings and ease their relegation worries.

It was a hard-earned victory for the Blues, however, as the Hotspurs produced one of their best performances so far this season.

Victoria looked more aggressive at the start as Xaghra hit on the counter break and opened the score early on with a well-placed header from veteran player-coach John Cassar.

Victoria had an immediate reaction and levelled the score in the 12th minute. They were awarded a penalty for a foul by Blanco de Castro on Maczerob Okoro, and the same Okoro converted from the spot.

The Citizens continued to pile up more pressure but Xaghra regained the lead against the run of play thanks to a Cassar first-time effort from a Johann Attard pass.

The Hotspurs went all out to obtain the equaliser and were awarded for their efforts in the 25th minute. John Paul Grima making it 2-2 with a simple tap-in following a confused action in the area.

Victoria held most of the initiative after the break as Xaghra squandered a very good opportunity when Cassar placed wide when he came face to face with the goalkeeper.

In the 57th minute, the Blues took the lead for the third time with a spectacular shot by Joseph Sultana that surprised keeper Grima.

Victoria were shocked and Xaghra could have sealed the points much earlier but missed a series of chances to close the match. Victoria had an Okoro goal disallowed for offside nine minutes from time.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Kercem Ajax 1
Zebbug Rovers 1

Kercem Ajax and Zebbug Rovers earned a point each to improve their position in the standings.

Both teams had to play this match without the service of their players living in Malta. They could not cross the channel to the sister island due to bad weather.

Kercem were without Etim Aktpan, Roger Walker, Mario Cutajar, Mark Marlow, Gotthard Conti and Nenad Veselji. Reggie Cini, Peter Ohaka and Jude Utulu missed out for Zebbug.

In these circumstances the point obtained satisfied mostly the Ajax, while reigning champions Zebbug lost an opportunity to consolidate their third position.

Kercem had the better start and were dangerous in the early stages with efforts by Elton Vella and Joseph Grech that ended just wide. Zebbug recovered and in the 13th minute Leandro headed just over.

Joseph Cordina put the Rovers ahead in the 19th minute with a fine volley from a Touali corner. Kercem replied with a shot by Vella that finished high.

On 29 minutes a free-kick by Vella was deflected against the post by Agius and from the rebound Mizzi's shot was well saved by the Zebbug goalkeeper.

In the 34th minute, the Kercem goalkeeper did well to block the unmarked Mahjoub.

Two minutes from the break Vella fired in another free-kick for Kercem that ended just wide.

Play continued to be balanced after the break and in the 58th minute the Rovers were unlucky when Touali had a shot hitting against the crossbar.

A minute later the champions were reduced to ten men when the referee showed the red card to Mario Azzopardi for a foul on Frankie Camilleri.

Kercem soon profited from their numerical advantage and restored equilibrium on 63 minutes, Vella shooting the ball home from a free-kick.

Despite being with a man less, Zebbug kept pushing forward in search of a winner. Four minutes from time, Sylvan Galea should have given the three points to the Rovers but he shot high with an open goal at his mercy.

In time added on, Kercem goalkeeper Grech again denied Zebbug when he did well to keep out a Leandro shot.

Referee: Reno Refalo.