Sannat move top after 3-1 win

Ghajnsielem 1
Sannat Lions 3

As anticipated by many this season, the race for the honours in Gozo will be tight. Last weekend, Sannat beat Ghajnsielem to join Nadur at the top of the standings leaving six teams separated by only two points.

The Lions surged forward in attack from the kick-off but Ghajnsielem opened the score after eight minutes from a Leandro de Castro free-kick.

A victory for the Blacks would have given them sole leadership. At first, they controlled Sannat's reaction but in the final stages of the first half the Lions scored twice.

First, Sabri Rais levelled the score and then Mark Muscat put Sannat in the lead with a stoppage-time goal after pouncing on a loose ball inside the Ghajnsielem box.

Ghajnsielem applied some hot pressure on Sannat after the break.

In the 58th minute Mark Formosa cleared the danger from the Sannat goalmouth following a corner and ten minutes later Ghajnsielem's Larry Buttigieg had a shot that hit the post.

Sannat's fort never crumbled. In the 81st minute keeper Agius kept his side in contention with a fine save on an Errol Grima drive.

The Lions made sure of the victory with a third goal scored in the 90th minute. Ricardo Saverino placed the ball inside an open goal following a fast counter-attack.

Ghajnsielem: V. Agius, D. Debattista, R. Apap (J. Grech), C. Mercieca, J. Buttigieg, L. de Castro, J. Camilleri, J. Attard (A. Buttigieg), F. de Andrade (D. Azzopardi), L. Buttigieg, F.L. Galea.

Sannat: P. Galea, A. Debono, M. Formosa, F. Magrin, P. Spiteri, K. Abanifi, J. Vella, S. Rais, M. Muscat, E. Grima, R. Saverino.

Referee: Alex Arena.

Xaghra United 0
Kercem Ajax 0

Both sides started this match looking to win the three points to keep the pace with the front-runners at the top of the standings. In the end, they could only produce a goalless stalemate that was not good to either of the two teams' cause.

Kercem, however, are still the only team without defeat so far this season. Ex-Valletta FC stalwart Nicky Saliba made his debut as Xaghra coach.

The Kercem goalkeeper repelled a Chris Camilleri shot against the bar early on and on another occasion a header by Milosevic ended inches high.

Kercem had their best scoring opportunity in the 38th minute but John Paul Mizzi's attempt rolled wide.

The Ajax held the initiative after the break, going close to scoring through Martin Cremona and Jerry Ani.

In the 70th minute, Xaghra were unlucky when a header by Josef Galea hit the post. The two teams then ended with ten players in a space of four minutes.

Kercem had Diallo sent off for a foul and in the 83rd minute Camilleri committed a second bookable offence.

Xaghra: D. Gauci, S. Sultana, J. Bartolo, A. Eviparker, J. Attard (M. Buhagiar), J. Camilleri, C. Camilleri, B. Njoku, S.F. Bajada (J. Vella), Z. Milosevic, J. Galea.

Kercem: L. Camilleri, F. Camilleri, E. Diallo, M. Azzopardi, A. Tramboo, M. Cremona, J. Portelli, J. Ani, E. Vella, C. Hili, J.P. Mizzi (J. Grech).

Referee: Feodor Zammit.

Division Two

Victoria Hotspurs obtained a 1-0 victory over SK Victoria Wanderers in the derby to stay top of the standings with maximum points from three matches.

The two teams had good scoring opportunities during the match.

The goal that mattered was scored in the 68th minute by Gothard Conti. The Wanderers had Chris Sciortino sent off in the 73rd minute for protests.

Next fixtures

Tomorrow - Division One 4.30 p.m. Sannat vs Xewkija.

Saturday - Division Two 2 p.m. Zebbug vs St Lawrence. Division One 4 p.m. Nadur vs Qala.

Sunday - Division Two 2 p.m. Gharb vs Oratory. Division One 4 p.m. Kercem vs Ghajnsielem.