Three teams still in contention in last week of campaign

The 57th GFA Division One championship has reached a climax with three teams still in the running for the title in the last week of the 2006/07 campaign.

Sannat Lions are currently leading the standings, one point ahead of Nadur. These two sides clash on Sunday. A victory either way means the issue will be settled but a drawn result could favour third-placed Xaghra, who have a game in hand.

If they beat Ghajnsielem today and Kercem on Sunday, and the big match ends in a draw, Xaghra, five points adrift of the leaders, will force a decider with the Lions.

Nadur Youngsters 2
Kercem Ajax 1

This was a hard-earned victory for Nadur who were trailing 0-1 before securing the points to keep their title chances alive.

Kercem were the more aggressive side in the first half and deservedly took the lead following a Milos Stojanovic goal in the 37th minute.

Zdenek Svoboda was introduced as a substitute after the break. The move paid its dividends for Nadur who levelled the score in the 53rd minute when Marius Filip headed home from a corner.

Nadur turned the result in their favour on 73 minutes following an Anthony Portelli goal from a Svoboda pass.

Jonathan Xuereb did well to preserve Nadur's lead when saving a Jason Portelli free-kick and at the other end Svoboda's shot was stopped by Leonard Camilleri in the Ajax goal.

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

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

Referee: Gordon Barbara.

Ghajnsielem 2
Xewkija Tigers 0

Ghajnsielem boosted their hopes of avoiding a relegation play-off thanks to this victory over the already-doomed Xewkija.

Marian Bucur scored the Blacks' goals. The Romanian striker opened the score in the 13th minute from a free-kick that surprised Joseph Grima in the Tigers goal. Just before half-time, Bucur hit high from a few metres out.

The Tigers looked a better lot after the break but Ghajnsielem were more dangerous particularly when Bucur or Jeremy Camilleri were in possession.

In the 68th minute a Bucur strike hit the crossbar and in another occasion Joe Attard was also unlucky to see his shot hitting the post.

But on 73 minutes the Blacks scored the goal that ended the Tigers' hopes of a comeback when Bucur placed the ball beyond Grima's reach from the tightest of angles.

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

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

Referee: George Portelli.

Sannat Lions 1
Kercem Ajax 1

Sannat had to struggle hard to avoid defeat in their penultimate match of the championship and now their hopes hinge on a decisive victory over nearest rivals Nadur on Sunday.

The Lions, who had central defender Cristiano de Oliveira missing due to suspension, were a disappointing lot... perhaps tension had already started to creep inside the players at this crucial stage of the season.

Kercem held command of play from the early stages, going close to scoring through Mario Azzopardi and Milos Stojanovic.

The Ajax opened the score in the 35th minute through Stojanovic. He burst into the box and shot past Paul Galea with a firm grounder.

Kercem almost doubled their lead soon after the restart but a Mario Cutajar shot from outside the area was deflected by his colleague Jason Portelli and the ball shaved the post.

Sannat started showing better ideas and levelled the score in the 57th minute. A Ricardo Saverino shot was palmed over the bar by Courtney Mercieca and from the corner Errol Grima made it one-all with a firm header.

Kercem were not demoralised though and it had to be goalkeeper Paul Galea who saved Sannat from falling behind again when he blocked an attempt by Marlon Mamo.

The Lions applied some pressure in the final stages but found keeper Mercieca in their way with some fine saves. Kercem almost snatched a late winner but Marlon Mamo's shot hit the post.

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

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

Referee: Chris Lautier.