Lions turn defeat into victory

Xaghra United 2
Sannat Lions 3

Leaders Sannat Lions consolidated their position at the top of the table with a hard-earned win over Xaghra United. Xaghra were looking to force their way back into contention but their hopes were dashed after squandering a 2-0 lead.

Xaghra had goalkeeper Kevin Vella (ex-Nadur) and striker Ejofor Nkwocha (ex-Oratory) making their debut. They opened the score in the 14th minute through Anthony Eviparker following a corner.

The Blues held control of play and doubled the score with a Chris Camilleri first-timer from a Zoran Milosevic cross. Minutes later Sannat keeper Paul Galea made a fine save following a header by Nkwocha.

The Lions came out roaring after the break. Ricardo Saverino concluded badly from a good position and soon after Xaghra keeper Vella was alert to stop a Saverino free-kick.

Sabri Rais pulled one back for Sannat in the 56th minute. Xaghra suffered another blow nine minutes later when Benneth Njoku was dismissed for a second yellow card.

Sannat took advantage of the extra player on the field to cancel the deficit with a fine Cristiano de Oliveira header 19 minutes from time.

Xaghra's John Camilleri missed a golden opportunity in the 76th minute while Saverino failed to put his side in the lead from a good position. However, the Brazilian striker scored the winner in the 86th minute from a free-kick that left Vella stranded.

Xaghra: K. Vella, S. Sultana, Z. Milosevic (J. Attard), J. Bartolo, A. Eviparker, J. Camilleri, C. Camilleri, B. Njoku, S.F. Bajada, D. Attard, E. Nkwocha.

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

Referee: Glenn Tonna.

Nadur Youngsters 4
Kercem Ajax 0

Nadur Youngsters moved up to second in the standings after handing Kercem Ajax their first defeat of the season on Wednesday.

Thanks to this victory, Nadur have trimmed the gap on leaders Sannat to four points.

Nadur went in for the break leading 1-0 after a 29th minute goal scored by Joseph C. Portelli following a Brian Meilak cross.

Kercem were unlucky after the break when a header by substitute Malcolm Vella hit the woodwork.

Nadur doubled the score with another Portelli goal and Anthony Portelli made it 3-0 eight minutes from time. Joseph C. Portelli sealed his hat-trick a minute from time to round up a fine day for Nadur.

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

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

Referee: Reno Refalo.

Xewkija Tigers 0
Qala St Joseph 3

In Wednesday's other match, Qala obtained an easy victory over Xewkija to pull out of the bottom places. Xewkija had three key players missing - Saviour Farrugia, Joseph Cefai and Edmond Tchawou.

Qala opened the score in the 31st minute through Kenneth Mercieca who received a pass by Alex Ribic.

After the break, the Maroons continued to be the better side. In the 65th minute, the referee sent off Qala's Brian Portelli and Xewkija's Mark Camilleri. The score became 2-0 in the 68th minute from a direct Ribic free-kick and substitute Peter Said increased Qala's winning margin with the third goal scored in the 87th minute.

Xewkija: J. Grima, J. Dingli, A. Said, A. Fotso (J. Vella), D. Cilia, J. Azzopardi, C. Borg (J. Attard), M. Pace, R. Said (P. Rapa), M. Camilleri, R. Buttigieg.

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

Referee: Alan Mario Sant.

Division Two

SK Victoria Wanderers squandered a golden opportunity to get closer to the top teams in the standings after an unexpected one-all draw with lowly St Lawrence Spurs.

The Citizens went ahead on 30 minutes when David Udo hit home from a penalty.

Victoria had another penalty in favour after the break but Ige Adesina's shot was saved by Samuel Micallef.

The Saints obtained their first point in the campaign thanks to Ishaku Umoru's 60th-minute equaliser.

Oratory Youths ended the first round on a positive note after a 4-1 win over Zebbug Rovers.

The protagonist for Oratory was Morgan Ikecukwu. He scored a hat-trick (20, 47 and 74). Marvin Grech (56) netted the other goal for the winners. Manuel Cordina pulled one back for Rovers seven minutes from time.