Nadur fail to go top after slip-up - March 1, 2007

Kercem Ajax 4
Nadur Youngsters 3

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Kercem Ajax avenged their first round defeat to Nadur Youngsters after beating the champions by the odd goal in seven last weekend.

It was a remarkable victory for Kercem whose determination to win the points was complemented by the excellent form of their most influential players, namely Milos Stojanovic, Elton Vella and Jerry Ani.

Coming from a goalless draw in their previous match, Nadur tried hard to beat Kercem but they were forced to play catch-up for the whole match, besides playing most of the second half with ten men.

This defeat means that Nadur have missed the chance to pile the pressure on Sannat Lions who have maintained their two-point lead at the top of the standings.

Nadur enjoyed the better start and in the fourth minute, Eric Nwankwo concluded wide from an ideal position. Other efforts from Anthony Portelli and Nwankwo failed to produce a goal for Nadur.

Kercem improved as the first half progressed and took the lead on 17 minutes, Ani shooting home after receiving from Stojanovic.

Nadur were now struggling to hold their own. They could have gone two goals behind had Ani not headed over the bar.

The Youngsters punished Ker-cem's wastefulness by getting back on level terms a minute from half-time thanks to an angled shot from Brian Meilak following a Zdenek Svoboda cross.

After the break Kercem continued to dictate matters. Nadur's afternoon took a turn for the worse when, in the 56th minute, Peter Buttigieg was sent off for dissent.

Kercem quickly exploited their numerical advantage as they forged ahead in the 61st minute. Vella pounced on a short clearance by Nadur keeper Jonathan Xuereb and lobbed the ball into an empty net.

Kercem could have increased their lead but a shot by Stojanovic came off the crossbar. After Stojanovic and Vella wasted good opportunities to put Kercem further ahead, Nadur shocked their opponents by levelling the score. Nwankwo made it 2-2 when heading home a cross by Meilak.

Kercem were not demoralised, though, and 13 minutes from time, they regained the lead following a Jeffrey Meilaq own goal.

The Ajax practically made sure of the three points five minutes from the end when Ani concluded a fine move by Vella.

Nadur reduced the arrears in the fourth minute of stoppage time but Svoboda's goal came too late for them to save the match.

Kercem: L. Camilleri, F. Camilleri (M. Tabone), J. Cordina, M. Azzopardi, M. Cremona, M. Cutajar, J. Portelli, M. Stojanovic, J. Ani, E. Vella, C. Hili.

Nadur: J. Xuereb, P. Buttigieg, J. Meilaq, M. Filip, Z. Svoboda, M. Portelli, B. Meilak, K. Mifsud (C. Portelli), F.P. Azzopardi, A. Portelli (S. Muscat), E. Nwankwo.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Ghajnsielem 1
Qala St Joseph 4

Qala St Joseph picked up three precious points in their last match of the second round following a 4-1 victory over Ghajnsielem.

Qala's Joe Xerri stole the attention by scoring a hat-trick.

In the early stages, Qala were dangerous with a long-range shot by Rufin Oba that ended wide.

A scrambled effort from Dennis Abela was saved with some difficulty by Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Victor Agius.

Ghajnsielem relied on counter-attacks and were dangerous through efforts by Larry Buttigieg and Jeremy Camilleri that ended wide.

Qala went in front a minute before the end of the first half. Dione Lautier released Xerri in the box and the latter scored with a low shot.

Qala deservedly doubled their lead midway through the second half, Xerri slotting home from close range after being put through by Oba. Ghajnsielem toiled to stage a reaction as their efforts only produced a couple of speculative shots that ended wide.

Thirteen minutes from time, Qala closed the issue when Mario Mifsud rifled the ball past Agius's reach from an angled position.

A minute later, the score became 4-0 for Qala, Xerri completing his hat-trick with a tap-in after his first attempt had been parried by Agius.

Ghajnsielem scored a consolation goal in the 85th minute through Camilleri.

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

Qala: I. Aktpan, G. Cefai, B. Portelli, P. Camilleri, M. Bonello, R. Oba, M. Mifsud, D. Abela, J. Xerri (P. Said), D. Lautier (J. Rapa), K. Mercieca (J. Muscat).

Referee: Reno Refalo

Division Two

Victoria Hotspurs returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory over Oratory Youths.

Thanks to the three points obtained, the Hotspurs now need only two points from their remaining four league matches to secure the title and promotion to Division One.

The Hotspurs would also be crowned champions if SK Victoria Wanderers fail to take maximum points from their next match against St Lawrence Spurs.

Victoria Hotspurs left it late to beat Oratory Youths, Fabiano Bassi scoring the winner 10 minutes from time.