Xaghra and Kercem join title race

Xaghra and Kercem profited from poor results by Nadur and Sannat to reduce the gap with the front-runners in Division One. With four more matches to go, including direct clashes, the tussle for the title is now wide open.

Nadur Youngsters 3
Ghajnsielem 3

Nadur and Ghajnsielem played an open game and shared the spoils after a three-all draw. The result meant Nadur have now opened a two-point lead at the top but Ghajnsielem are still hovering over the red zone of the standings.

Nadur saw more of the ball in the initial stages but on 29 minutes Ghajnsielem lost an open chance when Jeremy Camilleri hit high from just inside the box.

Nadur opened the score in the 38th minute following a rasping Frank Paul Azzopardi grounder. Ghajnsielem levelled matters three minutes later from a penalty, awarded for a Marius Filip handball. Marian Bucur made it 1-1.

Nadur tried to apply more pressure after the break. But, in the 54th minute it was Bucur who scored again to put the Blacks 2-1 up.

Nadur surged forward and Eric Nwankwo scored the equaliser from a penalty on 66 minutes.

Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Agius made two excellent saves on shots by Nwankwo and Karol Mifsud. There was little he could do on 87 minutes though when Ghajnsielem failed to clear and substitute Anthony Portelli placed in goal from close distance.

Nadur's joy was short-lived as the Blacks fought back to equalise one minute from time following a Camilleri shot that surprised Jonathan Xuereb in goal.

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

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

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Kercem Ajax 2
Qala St Joseph 1

Kercem obtained a close victory over Qala to join the final sprint for the title. Play was tough and actions on goal were rare.

The Ajax opened the score in the 19th minute from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Paul Camilleri on Alex Tramboo. Milos Stojanovic scored from the spot and the same player made it 2-0 six minutes from half-time.

Qala looked a better team after the break and went close to scoring with efforts from Mario Mifsud and Brian Portelli. At the other end a Stojanovic shot hit the post.

Qala reduced the arrears 14 minutes from time through a goal by Kenneth Mercieca following a corner.

Late on shots by Attard and Xerri were stopped by Ajax defender Mario Azzopardi in front of goal.

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

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

Referee: Reno Refalo.

Xaghra United 4
Xewkija Tigers 1

Xaghra joined the hunt for the championship after a convincing victory over lowly Xewkija Tigers.

Anthony Eviparker opened the score in the 20th minute and 11 minutes later Xewkija's Jonathan Buhagiar committed an own goal following a shot by Chris Camilleri.

The score became 3-0 just before half-time when an Eviparker overhead kick surprised goalkeeper Luke Vella.

Xewkija tried to get back in contention after the break. Their efforts were rewarded in the 55th minute when Mark Camilleri headed past Donald Gauci after an inviting cross by Joseph Azzopardi.

But Xaghra soon regained control. In the 65th minute a Chris Camilleri shot hit the post and from the rebound John Camilleri hit wide.

Xewkija could have re-opened the issue but substitute Edmond Tchawou headed out from an ideal position. Xaghra wrapped up the points in the 79th minute with a Chris Camilleri goal.

Xaghra: D. Gauci, Z. Milosevic (J. Sultana), J. Bartolo, A. Eviparker (C. Zammit), J. Attard, J. Camilleri, J. Vella, C. Camilleri, B. Njoku, E. Nkwocha, J. Galea.

Xewkija: L. Vella, J. Dingli (E. Tchawou), P. Camilleri, J. Buhagiar, S. Farrugia, A. Fotso, J. Cefai, M. Pace, D. Cilia (A. Said), M. Camilleri, J. Azzopardi.

Referee: Paul Apap.

Division Two

SK Victoria Wanderers' 5-2 victory over Oratory Youths means they are now sure of a promotion play-off against the Division One sixth-placed team.

The Wanderers opened a four-goal lead in the first half with goals from Ajibade Adesina (28, 44 pen) and Ige Adesina (32, 41). The latter notched a hat-trick in the 61st minute.

Oratory scored their first goal from a 69th-minute penalty by Morgan Onourah. He scored a second goal four minutes from time.

St Lawrence Spurs are still hopeful of avoiding the bottom place after a 3-2 victory over Gharb Rangers.

Rangers scored first but the Saints came back in the second half with goals from Joshua Cassar (47), Fernando de Andrade (59) and Paul Attard (84).

Substitute Jonathan Apap made it 3-2 two minutes from time.