Kercem Ajax 2
Xewkija Tigers 1

Kercem had to sweat to beat the challenge of Xewkija Tigers. The winners have now opened a two-goal lead over Nadur Youngsters at the top of the standings.

This was a deserved victory for the Ajax, obtained in difficult conditions after they had prolific striker Alfred Effiong sent off near the end of the first half. Three ex-Xewkija players, namely, Sabri Rais, Gotthard Conti and Jason Portelli played a key role in Ajax's victory.

Kercem started aggressively and went close to scoring on various occasions through efforts by Portelli, Conti, Rais and Effiong.

Xewkija took their time to settle down and the closest they went to goal was through a free-kick by Fotso in the 25th minute.

The Ajax were reduced to ten players in the 38th minute when Effiong committed a second bookable offence.

Kercem still looked jaded after the break and it had to be a fine save from their goalkeeper Simon Grech to keep them in the match following a shot by Joseph Azzopardi.

But in the space of three minutes Kercem found themselves leading by two goals.

First, Rais opened the score with an excellent header from a corner and right on the hour Conti hit past Debono from a Portelli free-kick.

Xewkija regained composure and were soon back in the reckoning with a Joseph Cefai goal on 69 minutes. However, Kercem stayed in the driving seat notwithstanding the numerical handicap and kept danger away from their goal until the final whistle.

Kercem: S. Grech, F. Camilleri, M. Azzopardi, B. Portelli, J. Portelli, M. Cutajar, G. Conti (J. Grech), E. Vella (J.P. Mizzi), C. Hili, S. Rais, A. Effiong.

Xewkija: S. Debono, J. Cefai, M. Cremona, B. Njoku, J. Cordina, M. Pace (C. Pace), P. Spiteri, A. Fotso, J. Azzopardi, D. Cilia (J. Attard), E. Tchawou (A. Said).

Referee: Alex Arena.

Ghajnsielem 5
Xaghra United 1

This was a useful victory for Ghajnsielem who edged closer to the sixth placing in the standings that means safety and no relegation play-off. Xaghra conceded a second consecutive heavy defeat and will look to get back some motivation in their game to avoid slipping further down the standings.

Errol Grima headed Ghajnsielem in the lead after 10 minutes from a Larry Buttigieg cross. The Blacks insisted in attack and doubled the score just before the break through a Joseph Buttigieg firm grounder after he was put through by Joe Attard.

Xaghra were nowhere to be seen and the score became 3-0 five minutes after the restart with another Joseph Buttigieg goal.

The match was practically over two minutes later when Larry Buttigieg made it 4-0 with a shot from an angled position.

Kalenga Ndayi pulled one back for Xaghra but Ghajnsielem had more ammunition left and in the 83rd minute Frank Buttigieg re-established his side's four-goal lead with a cute lob.

Xaghra were awarded a penalty for a Loretu Scicluna handball but it was not Xaghra's day as Ndayi's shot from the spot ended over the bar.

Ghajnsielem: S. Darmanin, J. Scicluna, F. Buttigieg, R. Conceicao, J. Buttigieg, B. Meilak, L. Scicluna, J. Attard (S. Azzopardi), E. Grima (R. Apap), L. Buttigieg, F.L. Galea (D. Agius).

Xaghra: V. Agius, A. Farrugia, D. Mbueko, A. Debono, M. Buhagiar, J. Sultana, R. Galea, S.F. Bajada, A. Bajada (J. Bartolo), K. Ndayi, S. Galea.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Division Two

Victoria Hotspurs clinched the runners-up position with a 1-0 victory in the direct clash against St Lawrence Spurs.

The Hotspurs have the same points as St Lawrence but finished second behind Qala thanks to a better goal difference. The match was decided by a Joseph Mizzi goal scored in the 79th minute.

The last match of the campaign saw Zebbug Rovers beating Gharb Rangers 4-1 in a basement clash.

Gharb opened the score with a Jonathan Apap goal in the 44th minute. However, the Rovers turned the result in their favour with four goals after the break from Jason Zammit, Manuel Cordina (2) and Tony Said.