Goals galore as three strikers hit hat-tricks

Ghajnsielem 0
Nadur Youngsters 4

Nadur opened up a three-point lead at the top after a comfortable victory over struggling Ghajnsielem.

The Youngsters took a commanding 2-0 lead after goals from Anthony Portelli and Alex Ribic.

Nadur defender Michael Vella cleared off the line an attempt by Frank Lee Galea but just before the break Nadur made sure of the points when Ribic scored with a cute lob over keeper Saviour Darmanin.

The Blacks battled hard after the break even though the Nadur goalkeeper was never called to make difficult saves.

Ribic rounded up his hat-trick on 62 minutes. Darmanin parried a Frank Paul Azzopardi shot and Ribic pounced to make it 4-0.

Ghajnsielem had a Grima goal disallowed for offside and Lawrence Haber was close with a header.

Ghajnsielem: S. Darmanin, J. Scicluna, F. Buttigieg, T. Belhaj (L. Haber), J. Buttigieg, B. Meilak, L. Scicluna, J. Attard, E. Grima, L. Buttigieg, F.L. Galea (S. Azzopardi).

Nadur: J. Xuereb (F. Vella), P. Buttigieg, M. Vella, J. Meilaq, A. Simoncic, M. Portelli, F.P. Azzopardi (J. Buttigieg), J. Camilleri, A. Ribic, A. Portelli, J. Portelli (S Muscat).

Referee: Mario Apap.

Xewkija Tigers 4
SK Victoria W. 4

Xewkija and SK Victoria shared the spoils in a high-scoring game.

At one time Xewkija were leading by three goals but the Wanderers had an impressive reaction and managed to draw level. Xewkija's Edmond Tchawou and Ige Adesina, of Victoria, both scored three times for their respective sides.

Tchawou scored after only a handful of seconds and on 14 minutes Joseph Azzopardi deceived Mercieca with an astute chip of the ball. The Wanderers were shocked and five minutes later Tchawou hit home to make it 3-0.

Victoria rallied and reduced the arrears in the 27th minute through Matthew Francalanza.

Eight minutes before the interval the Wanderers scored again through Adesina. After the break the Citizens deservedly levelled the score thanks to another Adesina goal.

Xewkija regained the lead in the 68th minute with another goal by Tchawou.

Their joy was short-lived, however, as Victoria were awarded a penalty when Cremona floored Adesina in the area. The same Adesina scored the equaliser.

Xewkija: S. Debono, B. Njoku, M. Cremona, J. Cefai, J. Cordina, D. Cilia, M. Pace, A. Fotso, J. Azzopardi, A. Said, E. Tchawou.

SK Victoria: M. Mercieca, P. Cardona, M. Tabone, M. Buttigieg, S. Farrugia, S. Gatt (K. Azzopardi), D. Muscat (C. Sciortino), P. Camilleri, M. Francalanza, I. Adesina, V. Obidimalor.

Referee: George Portelli.

GFA Cup QFs

Nadur and Kercem Ajax reached the semi-finals of the GFA Cup after knocking out Oratory and Sannat respectively.

Nadur obtained an emphatic 8-4 victory over Oratory. They opened a two-goal lead through Joseph Portelli (7) and Simoncic (10) but Chris Grech (13) pulled one back. Ribic (28) made it 3-1 but Dione Lautier re-opened the match seconds before the break.

The score became 4-4 with three goals in the space of two minutes. Lautier made it 3-3 and a minute later Anthony Portelli gave Nadur the lead. In the 73rd minute Oratory's George Frank Mizzi scored another equaliser for his side.

However, Nadur increased the pressure and scored four times through Ribic (77, 80), Anthony Portelli (83) and Joseph Portelli (88).

Kercem found it more difficult to reach the semis. Sabri Rais scored the decisive goal in the 72nd minute as Kercem ended with ten players after Charles Hili was sent off.

Division Two

St Lawrence Spurs cruised to a 3-0 victory over Zebbug Rovers and now they need one point from their last match against Victoria Hotspurs to make sure of the runners-up spot.

Ogun Abimbola scored twice in the 67th and 83rd minutes and Louis Galea sealed the issue with a goal five minutes from time.

In another match Gharb Rangers registered their first victory of the season after beating Oratory Youths, Gordon Micallef scoring the winner after 30 minutes.