Surprise victory for Xewkija

Xewkija Tigers 3
Kercem Ajax 2

Kercem Ajax can kiss their remote chances for the league title goodbye after unexpectedly falling to a 3-2 defeat to lowly Xewkija at the Gozo Stadium.

The Tigers are in a desperate situation at the bottom of the standings but produced an excellent performance to turn defeat into victory.

Kercem reserved their best for the opening half during which they scored the opener on 22 minutes, through Milos Stojanovic, besides creating a number of open chances which they failed to convert into goals.

On 49 minutes Mark Camilleri stunned Ajax keeper Leonard Camilleri from the distance to make it one-all. The Tigers never looked back again and struck again three minutes later when Jonathan Buhagiar headed firmly in from a corner.

The score became 3-1 right on the hour when the referee awarded Xewkija a penalty for a foul on Edmond Tchawou who scored from the spot.

Kercem doubled their efforts in the late stages of the match and went close through Stojanovic and Jerry Ani who pulled a goal back in stoppage time. However, it was too late for them to save the match.

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

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

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Freedom Day Cup

Sannat Lions 0
Nadur Youngsters 3

Nadur Youngsters won the Freedom Day Cup for the fourth time following a convincing performance against Sannat Lions last week.

This was Nadur's second honour of the season after the Independence Cup. The match was a prelude to the clash that should decide the Division One title later on this month.

Nadur opened the score in the 12th minute with a Joseph C. Portelli goal.

Sannat went close to equalise on various occasions but they were punished for the missed chances just before half-time when Joseph But-tigieg hit home from a rebound.

Sannat looked a spent force after the break as Nadur dictated play and sealed the issue five minutes from time with another Joseph C. Portelli goal following a fast counter attack.

After the match, Vincent Grech, a Ministry for Gozo official, presented the trophy to winners Nadur.

Sannat: P. Galea, A. Debono. M. Formosa, C. De Oliviera, F. Magrin, N. Borg, J. Vella, M. Muscat (S. Galea), S. Rais, E. Grima, R. Saverino.

Nadur: J. Xuereb, S. Attard, J. Buttigieg (C. Portelli), F. Marius, B. Meilak, M. Portelli, K. Mifsud, J. Meilak (K. Buttigieg), E. Nkwankwo, A. Portelli (E. Portelli), J. Portelli.

Referee: Joe Attard.