Ghajnsielem 8
Zebbug Rovers 0
\nGhajnsielem humiliated champions Zebbug and kept their two-point lead over rivals Xewkija Tigers at the top of the standings.
The Blacks dominated this match all the way. It was their third victory over Zebbug in the league.
Zebbug had Mario Azzopardi suspended and Leandro Quinhione injured. This was a miserable outing for the Rovers who played the last phase of the match with ten men as Alex Tramboo was injured and there weren't enough subs on the bench.
The Rovers were in the match until they conceded the first goal. Then, there was only one team on the field of play. Ghajnsielem opened a 2-0 lead with goals from Daniel Bogdanovic and Richard Buhagiar in the 31st and 33rd minutes. Eduardo do Nascimento added another goal before the break.
Kalenga Ndayi made it 4-0 and Matthew Portelli increased the score in the 58th minute. Ghajnsielem were awarded a penalty in the 68th minute which was converted by Bogdanovic. Do Nascimento added two more goals to notch a hat-trick.
Ghajnsielem: D. Dengaky, G. Bencini, F. Buttigieg (J. Buttigieg 68), D. Mbueko, M. Portelli, B. Meilak (J. Attard 74), L. Scicluna, D. Bogdanovic, R. Buhagiar (J. Pace 81), N. Kalenga, E. do Nascimento.
Zebbug: V. Agius, M. Cordina, J. Cordina, A. Tramboo, F. Magrin, J. Utulu, C. Mercieca, P. Ohaka, S.Galea, D. Draganov, P. Cordina.
Referee: Marco Borg.
Kercem Ajax 1
Xewkija Tigers 2
Xewkija defeated Kercem for the third time this season to recover from the unexpected setback in their previous outing to Nadur Youngsters. The Tigers found it hard to break down their opponents who played for almost half the match with two players less.
Ajax player Mario Cutajar was sent off for a second caution after 39 minutes. Kercem had an Effiong effort saved by Xuereb and a shot by Onovo which hit the bar. During first half stoppage time, Kercem had a second player sent off when Gotthard Conti was red-carded for dissent.
After the break, there was hardly any difference between the two teams despite Kercem's numerical handicap. It was the latter who surprised their opponents soon after the restart when a Frankie Camilleri drive was stopped by Xuereb who was beaten from the rebound by Alfred Effiong.
Xewkija had an immediate reaction and turned the result in their favour in the space of two minutes. In the 66th minute Nwoko scored the equaliser with a spectacular strike from the distance and soon after Mark Camilleri placed behind Aktpan from an angled position.
Kercem tried to save the match but despite their valiant effort the Tigers held tight to maintain the pace at the top of the standings.
Kercem: I. Aktpan, F. Camilleri, M. Cutajar, R. Walker, J. Vella, R. Buttigieg (J. Grech 85), A. Effiong, G. Conti, E. Vella, N. Veselji (J. Grech 77), F. Onovo (P. Camilleri 89).
Xewkija: J. Xuereb, J. Ngangue, M. Cremona, S. Farrugia, L. Attard (I. Mifsud 64), S. Rais, M. Touali, U. Nwoko, C. Bugeja (T. Tazameta 46), J. Portelli, M. Camilleri.
Referee: Anton Zammit.
Victoria Hotspurs 1
Xaghra United 1
Xaghra failed to move away from the red zone after this draw. They saw more of the ball in the first phase and Johnny Camilleri lost two glorious chances in separate moves, failing to hit past Ernest Barry.
Victoria opened the score in the 20th minute with a John Paul Grima goal. He took a rebound from outside the area following a free-kick by Mercieca. Xaghra's reaction was sterile but on 33 minutes it was all square again when Joseph Mercieca struck from the edge of the box.
Xaghra played better after the break and Barry was called to make difficult saves. Victoria are still without a win but they almost broke their duck in stoppage time when Steve Xuereb's shot shaved the post.
Victoria: E. Barry, N. Attard (M. Vella 46), J.P. Grima, S. Eboh, R. Grech, N. Borg, K. Said, R. Mercieca (C. Gafa 72), M. Okoro, J. Xerri (A. Briffa 39), S. Xuereb.
Xaghra: D. Gauci, S. Sultana (S.F. Bajada 46), M. Buhagiar, J. Mercieca, C. de Lima Bezerra, J. Sultana (J.Cassar 90), D. Attard, D. Olalekan, J. Camilleri, J .Galea, J. Attard.
Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.