Youngsters increase gap at the top

Kercem Ajax 0
Qala St Joseph 0

Kercem Ajax and Qala St Joseph remain stuck in the bottom end of the standings after their direct clash ended in a goalless stalemate.

It was a fair result even though Kercem created the better chances in the final stages and even missed a penalty.

There were few scoring opportunities in the first half with Charlie Attard hitting the Kercem crossbar from a corner.

Eight minutes before the end of the first half, Dione Lautier's effort was turned away for a corner by Kercem goalkeeper Mercieca.

Kercem's best opportunity of the half arrived on 40 minutes when substitute Malcolm Vella concluded badly a fine move by Franklin Adilson.

Neither side managed to step up a gear after the break but Kercem were more dangerous up front in the latter stages of the match.

On 73 minutes, they were awarded a penalty after Fotso fouled Jean Paul Mizzi.

However, Adilson's shot from the spot was saved by goalkeeper Inim Aktpan.

Paul Camilleri saved the result for Qala in stoppage time when he cleared off the line Vella's shot.

Kercem: C. Mercieca, F. Camilleri, J. Mercieca, A. Buttigieg (J. Debrincat), M. Tabone, E. Nkwocha (M. Vella), H. Grech, M. Stojanovic, F.L. Adilson, M. Azzopardi, J.P. Mizzi.

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

Referee: Andre Arciola.

Nadur Youngsters 2
Ghajnsielem 1

Nadur Youngsters strengthened their position at the top of the standings after a close victory over Ghajnsielem gave them a four-point lead over Victoria Hotspurs at the end of the second round.

For Ghajnsielem, this defeat has all but dashed their hopes of challenging for the title as they trail the leaders by 10 points.

Nadur hit the ground running and after only five minutes, Chris Camilleri fired them ahead with a long-range shot.

The Youngsters were in total control, restricting the Blacks to shots from the distance.

Nine minutes from the break, Nadur doubled their lead when Eric Nkwankwo guided the ball home after being set up by Chris Camilleri.

Ghajnsielem got themselves back into the match on 39 minutes when Dominic Okanu tapped the ball home from close in.

On the change of ends, Nadur tried to restore their two-goal cushion but struggled to trouble the Ghajnsielem defence.

The Blacks were dangerous on the counter and missed good chances through Brian Meilak and Victor Tavares.

Eight minutes from time, Ghajnsielem thought they had equalised when Okanu stabbed the ball home but the 'goal' was annulled for offside.

Nadur: J. Xuereb, P. Buttigieg, J. Meilaq, J. Buttigieg, A. Simoncic, C. Camilleri (S. Attard), C. Hili, M. Secco, E. Nkwankwo (M. Filip), A. Portelli (S. Attard), J. Portelli.

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

Referee: Paul Apap.

Division Two

St Lawrence Spurs 2
Munxar Falcons 0

St Lawrence Spurs returned to winning ways after beating Munxar Falcons by two clear goals to remain well-placed in the race for promotion.

St Lawrence took the lead on 44 minutes when Adalberto Goncalves struck the ball home after receiving from Paul Attard.

After the restart, the Spurs remained the better side and doubled the score in the 55th minute through Jonathan Micallef.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Gharb Rangers 0
SK Victoria W. 5

SK Victoria Wanderers registered their third victory over Gharb Rangers this season to go three points clear of St Lawrence Spurs and Xewkija Tigers at the top of the standings, albeit the latter have played a game less.

Victoria were superior to their opponents throughout the 90 minutes but only made sure of the three points with four goals after the break.

Ajibade Adesina put Victoria ahead after 25 minutes but they had to wait until the 55th minute for Lauran Dimech to make it 2-0.

Chris Sciortino added a third on 57 minutes before Ige Adesina added two more goals on 66 minutes, from a penalty, and 74 minutes, to seal his team's win. Gharb had Roy Vella sent off on 84 minutes for retaliation.

Referee: Reno Refalo.