Nadur Youngsters 3
Xewkija Tigers 1
\nNadur maintained their three-point lead at the top with a convincing victory over Xewkija in their first match of the third and final round of the championship.
This was Nadur's second victory over Xewkija this season.
Alex Ribic scored two goals and reached Kercem's Alfred Effiong and Ricardo Saverino, of Sannat, at the top of the scorers' list with ten goals.
Nadur opened the score in the 31st minute when Frank Paul Azzopardi crossed for Anthony Portelli who placed the ball in goal from close distance.
The leaders looked comfortably in control but in first-half stoppage time goalkeeper Jonathan Xuereb was called to make a difficult save following a firm header by Martin Cremona from a corner.
The Youngsters doubled the score soon after the restart when Ribic scored from a penalty awarded by the referee after Christian Bugeja handled the ball in the Tigers' box. Bugeja was sent off.
The Youngsters were unlucky in the 67th minute when Anthony Portelli's shot, following an inviting cross by Simoncic, was stopped by the post. However, the score became 3-0 in the 71st minute following a cute Ribic lob after he was put through by Simoncic.
Xewkija grabbed their consolation goal in the 91st minute through Edmond Tchawou after a fine solo move.
Nadur: J. Xuereb, P. Buttigieg (J. Buttigieg), M. Vella, J. Meilaq, A. Simoncic, M. Portelli, F.P. Azzopardi, J. Camilleri, A. Ribic, A. Portelli (S. Muscat), J. Portelli (M. Bonello).
Xewkija: S. Debono, P. Spiteri, M. Cremona, B. Njoku, J. Cefai, J. Cordina (J. Attard), M. Pace (C. Borg), J. Azzopardi, D. Cilia (A. Said), C. Bugeja, E. Tchawou.
Referee: Anton Zammit.
Kercem Ajax 1
Ghajnsielem 0
Kercem recovered from the upset to Nadur in their previous outing with a close 1-0 victory over Ghajnsielem.
Kercem had Elton Vella and Charles Hili missing due to injury and the Blacks were without Ricardo Conceicao, suspended.
The Ajax took the initiative from the early stages and applied some hot pressure on the Ghajnsielem rearguard for most of the first period.
Kercem, however, were rather erratic in their finishing and Saviour Darmanin in the Ghajnsielem goal was never really tested.
Attempts by Gothard Conti, Frank Camilleri and Ryan Buttigieg for Kercem ended away from goal while Ghajnsielem's best opportunity saw Frank Buttigieg hitting badly from an ideal position.
After the resumption Kercem's Sabri Rais incredibly shot high after receiving from Conti. But, Kercem netted the goal that mattered in the 53rd minute when Rais dashed inside the box and from his low cross Alfred Effiong hit home with ease.
Three minutes later Effiong dribbled the goalkeeper but defender Belhaj recovered and cleared danger.
The Kercem defenders were kept busy by Ghajnsielem in the dying stages.
Aktpan was called to make a good save following an attempt by Haber while a free-kick by Belhaj ended just over.
The Kercem keeper saved his side in stoppage time when he turned to corner a Loretu Scicluna drive from the edge of the area.
Kercem: I. Aktpan, F. Camilleri, R. Buttigieg, M. Azzopardi, B. Portelli, J. Vella (J.P. Mizzi), J. Portelli, M. Cutajar, G. Conti (J. Grech), S. Rais, A. Effiong.
Ghajnsielem: S. Darmanin, J. Scicluna, F. Buttigieg, T. Belhaj, J. Buttigieg, B. Meilak, L. Scicluna, J. Attard, L. Haber, L. Buttigieg, S. Azzopardi (B. Muscat).
Referee: Reno Refalo.
Division Two
Qala St Joseph are mathematically sure of winning the Division Two title after a goalless draw against closest rivals St Lawrence Spurs.
The Maroons still have three more matches to play but they will finish first at the end of the season no matter what results they have.
Quite unusual, the Gozo FA has already carried out the presentation ceremony. In fact, Kurt Anastasi, on behalf of General Soft Drinks Ltd, presented the trophy to Qala captain Glenn Cefai at the end of the match against the Spurs.
In another Division Two match, Victoria Hotspurs beat Gharb Rangers 1-0 to maintain their challenge for the runners-up position.
Joseph Mizzi scored the goal for Victoria in the 41st minute.