Late Magrin goal lifts Sannat

Sannat Lions 2
Xewkija Tigers 1

Sannat Lions moved to the top of the standings but they were made to fight harder than expected by bottom-placed Xewkija Tigers.

The Lions enjoyed an auspicious start, going ahead with a third-minute Sabri Rais lob following an inviting pass by Ricardo Saverino.

Minutes later Sannat went close to double the score but a Saverino free-kick was saved by Joseph Grima.

Xewkija had an Edmond Tchawou shot sailing over before levelling the score thanks to an Andreas Fotso header from a corner.

Sannat were surprised and it took them several minutes to regain control of the match. Saverino's shot was saved by Grima and at the other end, Tchawou failed to profit from a blunder by the Sannat defence.

Grima stole the limelight after the break with a series of saves to frustrate the Lions forwards. The Tigers had a Mark Camilleri header almost hitting the target but the Lions scored the winner on 89 minutes.

Franco Magrin found space in the opponents' box to jump high and head home from a corner.

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

Xewkija: J. Grima, J. Azzopardi (I. Mifsud), J. Cefai, S. Farrugia, R. Said (A. Said), M. Pace, C. Borg, A. Fotso, P. Rapa (S. Mizzi), E. Tchawou, M. Camilleri.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Nadur Youngsters 3
Qala St Joseph 3

Nadur and Qala shared the spoils in a thrilling draw. Nadur were leading 3-1 but two stoppage-time goals saved the day for Qala.

The Saints started better and after a series of attacks they opened the score when Kenneth Mercieca hit home after Nadur failed to clear from a corner.

Qala could have increased their lead before half-time but the Nadur goalkeeper made fine saves on Alex Ribic. The Saints missed a couple of chances after the break and were punished for that as Nadur got back into the picture.

First, the Youngsters levelled the score through an overhead kick by Joseph Buttigieg and in the 81st minute, a Brian Meilak shot surprised Jonathan Mizzi in the Qala goal.

Qala tried to save the match but their hopes looked over when Meilak placed easily in goal following a fast counter attack - 3-1.

However, the Saints did not throw in the towel and were rewarded for their determination. Substitute Christian Portelli hit home from close in and a minute later it was Brian Portelli who pounced on a loose ball inside the Nadur box to make it 3-3.

Nadur: J. Xuereb, P. Buttigieg (S. Attard), J. Meilaq, M. Filip, B. Meilak, M. Portelli, J. Buttigieg, F.P. Azzopardi (I. Djordjevic), J.S. Portelli (S. Muscat), A. Portelli, J.C. Portelli.

Qala: J. Mizzi, G. Cefai, B. Portelli, I. Grech (P. Camilleri), D. Abela (S. Camilleri), M. Mifsud, M. Bonello, R. Oba, J. Xerri (C. Portelli), A. Ribic, K. Mercieca.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Kercem Ajax 2
Ghajnsielem 2

Kercem and Ghajnsielem retu-rned home with a point each from a match in which the final result was uncertain until the very last minute.

Both teams had some regulars missing. Kercem had E. Mousse Diallo and Mario Cutajar unavailable while Ghajnsielem were without the services of Fernando de Andrade, injured.

Jerry Ani put Kercem in front on 26 minutes with a simple tap-in after receiving from Elton Vella. However, it took the Blacks only five minutes to draw level following a Charles Mercieca goal from a corner.

The Ajax held the initiative for most of the match. They got more wind in their sails on 80 minutes when Ghajnsielem had Frank Lee Galea dismissed for a second booking.

Kercem failed to profit, though, and it was Ghajnsielem who scored again a minute from time with a goal by Joe Attard.

Justice was done, however, in stoppage time when the Ajax drew level with an Alex Tramboo shot from outside the box.

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

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

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Division Two

Gharb Rangers and Oratory Youths fought out a 1-1 draw that only favoured Victoria Hotspurs, the leaders in the standings.

Gharb opened the score with a Stephen Apap goal late in the match. However, their joy was short-lived as Oratory substitute Joseph Mizzi scored a deserved equaliser in the 90th minute.

In another match, Zebbug Rovers, despite finishing the match with nine men, obtained their first points and their first goals of the campaign with a 2-0 victory over St Lawrence Spurs.

Zebbug scored a goal in each half, through Josef Debrincat (19th) and Silvan Galea (48th). The Rovers had two players sent off - Mario Calleja (54th) and Jonathan Mercieca (68th). St Lawrence, however, failed to exploit their numerical advantage.