Lions stun Youngsters

Nadur YOUNGSTERS 2
Sannat LIONS 4

Sannat Lions recovered from their recent poor performances to hand leaders Nadur an unexpected defeat. Brazilian duo Cristiano de Oliveira and Ricardo Saverino were behind the Lions' success as Nadur had to play for almost an hour with a player less.

Sannat looked stronger at the start but Nadur opened the score in the 11th minute. The referee awarded them a penalty when a cross by Frank Azzopardi was handled in the box by Anthony Camilleri. Alex Ribic converted from the spot.

Sannat hit back immediately and in the 23rd minute they were unlucky when an effort by Saverino hit the post. In the 31st minute Nadur were reduced to ten players when Matthew Portelli was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Tramboo.

That was the turning point of the match as Sannat levelled the scores soon after. Mark Camilleri crossed to Saverino who placed in goal from an angled position.

Despite the numerical handicap Nadur did not give up but in the 59th minute De Oliveira headed past Xuereb to put the Lions 2-1 up.

Nadur never wilted though and were rewarded for their efforts 11 minutes from time when Joseph Portelli's tap-in from a corner deceived the Lions keeper.

Sannat had loads of energy left though and left it late to stun Nadur with two goals.

A De Oliveira lob caught keeper Xuereb napping and two minutes from time Saverino was quick to hit home after a Lions counter attack.

Nadur: J. Xuereb, S.A. Cauchi, M. Vella, A. Simoncic, M. Portelli, F. Azzopardi (M. Bonello), C. Attard, J. Camilleri, A. Ribic, A. Portelli, J. Portelli.

Sannat: P. Galea, S. Azzopardi, J. Vella, C. de Oliveira, A. Camilleri, N. Borg, M. Touali, A. Tramboo, M. Camilleri (A. Mutalib), R. Mercieca, R. Saverino.

Referee: Reno Refalo.

SK Victoria WANDERERS 4
Xaghra UNITED 1

SK Victoria Wanderers revived their hopes of avoiding the drop after registering their first victory of the campaign at the expense of Xaghra United.

The Citizens had two new players for this match, Cameroon striker Ige Adesina and Mark Buttigieg. Both left a positive impact on the new set-up of Frankie Muscat's side.

Chris Sciortino put the Wanderers ahead on 29 minutes and after soaking up Xaghra's pressure they doubled the lead in the 57th minute through Thierry Efah.

Xaghra re-opened the issue two minutes later thanks to a Kalenga Ndayi penalty. But Victoria, despite having Efah sent off, maintained composure and scored again 12 minutes from time when Adesina converted a penalty.

Adesina crowned his positive performance with another goal in added time following a fine solo move.

SK Victoria: M. Mercieca, T. Efah, P. Cardona, M. Buttigieg, F. Magrin, S. Gatt, S. Farrugia, P. Camilleri, I. Adesina, C. Sciortino (D. Muscat), M. Tabone.

Xaghra: D. Gauci (V. Agius), J. Bartolo, A. Debono (R. Galea), J. Galea, J. Bajada, S.F. Bajada, D. Attard, D. Mbueko, J. Attard, K. Ndayi, S. Galea.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Xewkija TIGERS 0
Ghajnsielem 2

Substitute Errol Grima played a vital role for Ghajnsielem who obtained three precious points in a 2-0 win over Xewkija. The latter were playing for the first time without Sabri Rais since his transfer to Kercem Ajax last month.

After a balanced first half, Ghajnsielem opened the score three minutes after the restart from a penalty after a foul by Joseph Cefai on Grima. Renato Conceicao made no mistake from the spot.

The Blacks grew in stature and doubled their lead in the 57th minute. Grima unmarked Brian Meilak just outside the area, the latter hit badly, but Stefan Azzopardi was at the right place to shot beyond Debono's reach to make it 2-0.

Xewkija could have re-opened the issue eight minutes from time when the referee ordered a penalty in their favour but Tchawou blasted wide from the spot.

Xewkija: S. Debono, B. Njoku, J. Cefai, M. Cremona, J. Cordina (P. Spiteri), A. Fotso, C. Bugeja (F. Vella), M. Pace, R. Camilleri, J. Azzopardi (A. Said), E. Tchawou.

Ghajnsielem: S. Darmanin, J. Scicluna, F. Buttigieg, R. Conceicao, J. Buttigieg, B. Meilak (L. Haber), L. Scicluna, B. Muscat (E. Grima), L. Buttigieg, S. Azzopardi, F.L. Galea (J. Spiteri).

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Division Two

Leaders Qala registered a convincing victory over Oratory Youths to maintain a nine-point lead at the top and edge closer to promotion.

Qala's 3-0 victory over Oratory matured with three second-half goals - a George Louis Zammit own goal and an Ishaky Umoru brace.

St Lawrence Spurs consolidated their second placing in the standings with a 2-0 victory over Zebbug.

Paul Attard and Ogun Abimbola scored for the Spurs who had Jamie Enriquez sent off late on.

Saturday: (Div. II) 1 p.m. St Lawrence vs Victoria Hotspurs; 3 p.m. Gharb vs Zebbug.

Sunday: (Div. I) 1 p.m. Kercem vs Sannat; 3 p.m. Xaghra United vs Nadur Youngsters.