Title race open as Nadur slip again

Kercem Ajax 1
Nadur Youngsters 0

Kercem Ajax pulled off the biggest surprise of the season so far after beating leaders Nadur 1-0 last weekend.

It was a deserved victory for the Ajax who are only ahead of bottom-placed Qala on goal difference.

Last weekend, Kercem turned in an excellent performance in all departments, frustrating Nadur and condemning them to a second successive defeat that trimmed their lead over Victoria Hotspurs to just one point at the top of the standings. Sannat are third, four points behind the Citizens.

Kercem had two strikers, Brazilian Franklin Adelson and Briton Dan Leah Fowler, making their debut. Adelson marked his first match for the Ajax by scoring the winner.

As expected, Nadur tried to gain the initiative early on but Kercem held tight to keep the danger away from their penalty area. As the minutes ticked away, the Ajax started to share the exchanges and also created the best scoring opportunity of the first half when a low shot by Jean Paul Mizzi almost surprised Jonathan Xuereb in the Nadur goal.

Nadur had a cross-shot by Joseph Portelli neutralised by Courtney Mercieca at the opposite end.

After the break, Kercem maintained their attacking threat even though Nadur were unlucky on 54 minutes when a Joseph Portelli shot hit the bar. From the rebound, Chris Camilleri's effort was saved by the goalkeeper.

The Ajax scored the goal that decided the issue in the 60th minute. Ejofor Nkwocha dashed into the Nadur box and from his cross, Adelson was at hand to place in goal from close distance.

Nadur were shocked and two minutes later, Fowler had a good effort saved with difficulty by Xuereb.

The Youngsters doubled their efforts late on but it was to no avail as a Chris Camilleri drive was saved in style by Mercieca.

Kercem: C. Mercieca, J. Mercieca, H. Grech (M. Mamo), A. Buttigieg, M. Tabone, E. Nkwocha, F. Adelson, M. Azzopardi, J.P. Mizzi, D.L. Fowler, E. Hussain.

Nadur: J. Xuereb, S. Attard (J. Meilaq), P. Buttigieg, M. Seco, A. Simoncic, D. Odovic, C. Hili, C. Camilleri, E. Nkwankwo (S. Muscat), A. Portelli, J. Portelli.

Referee: George Portelli.

Qala St Joseph 0
Ghajnsielem 1

Ghajnsielem moved into safer waters in the table after a close victory over lowly Qala. The Blacks had keeper Victor Agius and Charles Mercieca missing but Victor Tavares and Domnick Okanu were making their first appearance for the former Gozo champions.

Ghajnsielem dictated matters for most of the first half but rarely troubled the Qala keeper. Play became more exciting after the break as the Maroons came out of their defensive shell.

Ghajnsielem's Frank Lee Galea was unlucky when his lob hit the woodwork while Qala replied in the 50th minute with a header by Dione Lautier that was cleared off the line by Roderick Apap.

The Blacks scored the decisive goal 19 minutes from time.

Okanu entered the box before releasing Tavares whose first shot was parried by keeper Aktpan. However, the Portuguese was on the right spot to ram home the rebound.

Qala: I. Aktpan, G. Cefai, B. Portelli, M. Bonello, A. Fotso, D. Abela, P. Said (C. Attard), J. Buttigieg, J. Xerri, M. Cordina, D. Lautier.

Ghajnsielem: J. Grech, J. Grech, M. Cremona, J. Buttigieg, F.L. Galea, B. Meilak, D. Agius (S. Azzopardi), R. Apap, J. Camilleri, D. Okanu, V. Tavares (C. Tabone).

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Division Two

SK Victoria W. 6
Zebbug Rovers 0

Promotion-seekers SK Victoria Wanderers recovered from their unexpected defeat to Oratory Youths the previous week with a handsome victory over Zebbug Rovers.

The Wanderers scored three goals in each half. Chris Sciortino made it 1-0 in the 17th minute and Ajibade Adesina doubled the score from a penalty nine minutes from half-time. The score became 3-0 just before the break with an Ige Adesina goal.

Joseph Refalo made it 4-0 on 61 minutes and Ige Adesina added another nine minutes later. Ajibade Adesina sealed the issue with the Wanderers' sixth goal nine minutes from the end.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Gharb Rangers 1
Munxar Falcons 1

Gharb Rangers and Munxar Falcons shared the spoils in an interesting match.

The Rangers had two goals disallowed by the referee while Munxar had one goal ruled out.

Gharb opened the scoring in the 55th minute through Michael Chika but the Falcons saved the result with a 69th minute equaliser.

Referee: Joseph Camilleri.