Title showdown on Saturday

Nadur Youngsters and Kercem Ajax registered victories in the matches prior to next Saturday's vital clash which should determine the new Gozitan champions. Current leaders Nadur can claim the title with a draw while Kercem need a victory from the very last match of the league to be crowned champions for the second time in their history.

Nadur Youngsters 4
Xaghra United 1

Nadur obtained the three points they needed from their match against neighbours Xaghra to stay clear of Kercem.

Although they had Alex Simoncic missing from the starting line-up, Nadur were still strong enough to win this match as Xaghra sorely felt the absence of Silvan Galea.

The Youngsters applied some hot pressure right from the start but had to wait until the 32nd minute to open the score through a Josef Buttigieg grounder following an inviting cross from Frank Paul Azzopardi.

Nadur were practically home and dry soon after the restart when they scored two other goals.

Alex Ribic made it 2-0 in the 47th minute among protests from Xaghra players alleging a handling infringement by the same Ribic. The score became 3-0 two minutes later following a Joseph Portelli goal after receiving from Anthony Portelli.

Nadur kept insisting and Xaghra keeper Gauci made fine saves on attempts by Ribic and Joseph Portelli. But, the Youngsters increased the score in the 76th minute following a perfect Ribic lob. He joined Kercem's Effiong at the top of the scorers' list with 16 goals.

An overhead kick by Kalenga Ndayi was turned to a corner by Xuereb, but the same Ndayi scored for his side one minute later with a shot from close in.

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

Xaghra: D. Gauci, D. Mbueko, M. Buhagiar, S.F. Bajada, D. Attard, R. Galea, A. Debono (J. Bartolo), K. Ndayi, J. Sultana, J. Portelli (S. Sultana), F. Debono.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Sannat Lions 1
Kercem Ajax 3

This was a convincing victory for Tony Grech's Kercem. They opened a two-goal lead in the first half and never looked back.

Kercem, who had striker Effiong missing due to suspension, could have scored an early goal but Jason Portelli's attempt ended just wide.

Sannat were well deployed though and had their best chance in the 22nd minute. Saverino dribbled his way through but hesitated in front of goal.

The Lions were penalised for this lost opportunity as Kercem opened the score two minutes later.

Sannat failed to clear danger outside their box and Sabri Rais unmarked Gotthard Conti who placed easily in goal.

Kercem doubled the score in the 29th minute with a Rais header following a free-kick by Jason Portelli.

Sannat tried to get back into the game after the break but Kercem closed all avenues to their goal.

The Ajax practically made sure of victory 19 minutes from time with another Rais goal.

Substitute Abdul Mutalib scored Sannat's consolation goal in stoppage time after hitting a loose ball past Aktpan.

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

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

Referee: Reno Refalo.

Ghajnsielem 0
Xewkija Tigers 1

This was a crucial victory for Xewkija as they made sure of Division One football next season.

The match was Ghajnsielem's last opportunity to avoid a risky relegation play-off against Victoria Hotspurs, the runners-up in Division Two.

Xewkija played a cautious game but the Blacks were very weak in attack and rarely managed to produce open scoring chances.

Ghajnsielem started better but Xewkija came out from their defensive shell in the latter part of the first period.

A Jeffrey Farrugia shot was too weak to trouble Darmanin and seconds from half-time Ghajnsielem's Larry Buttigieg was blocked by the quick-thinking Xewkija defenders after a melee inside their box.

There were very few goalmouth actions after the break but on 67 minutes Xewkija scored the decisive goal. Edmond Tchawou profited from a defensive blunder to seize possession and shoot low past Darmanin.

Ghajnsielem's reaction was sterile and the closest they went to level the score was through an effort by substitute Anthony Buttigieg that ended wide.

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

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

Referee: Mario Apap.