Hotspurs turn defeat into victory

Victoria Hotspurs 2
Ghajnsielem 1

Victoria Hotspurs turned defeat into victory against Ghajnsielem to maintain their slim title hopes alive.

Play during the first half was mainly contested in midfield with very few scoring opportunities. Both Victoria's Daniel Farrugia and Ghajnsielem's Dominic Okanu were unlucky when their efforts hit the woodwork.

The Blacks opened the scoring in the 51st minute through Okanu's low shot following a fast break. The Hotspurs produced a quick reaction though and turned the tide in their favour from two penalties, both converted by Ricardo Saverino.

The first penalty was awarded in the 54th minute for a foul on Marvin Buttigieg and the other, six minutes later, when Martin Cremona floored Fabiano Bassi in the box.

Seconds from the end, Ghajnsielem went close to an equaliser but a John Camilleri shot hit the crossbar.

Victoria: M. Grima, C. Attard, M. Vella, J.P. Grima, D. Farrugia, M. Buttigieg (A. Zammit), J. Portelli, A. Briffa (J. Mizzi), R. Grech, F. Bassi, R. Saverino.

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

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Qala St Joseph 3
Sannat Lions 2

Qala moved closer to securing their Division One status after a 3-2 win over Sannat Lions who are out of the title race.

The Maroons did the early running but Sannat opened the score in their first attack. In the ninth minute, Mark Muscat hit low past keeper Aktpan after a pass by Fernando de Andrade.

The Saints hit back strongly and their efforts were rewarded in the 42nd minute when Manuel Cordina scored after receiving from Dione Lautier.

On resumption, Qala took the lead on 52 minutes with a Lautier goal. However, Sannat levelled matters three minutes later from a penalty awarded for a foul by Andreas Fotso on de Andrade. The latter made no mistake from the spot.

A draw did not suit Qala who went all out to regain the lead. Fotso had two efforts stopped by the woodwork and in the 70th minute, Manuel Cordina scored the decisive goal.

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

Sannat Lions: D. Bajada (C. Mercieca), C. De Oliveira, J. Agius, N. Micallef, A. Debono, K. Mercieca (R. Farrugia), P. Spiteri, M. Muscat, E. Grima, F. De Andrade, M. Cutajar.

Referee: Mario Apap.

Division Two

Xewkija Tigers 5
Zebbug Rovers 2

As expected, Xewkija had the better of Zebbug to maintain their charge at the top of the standings. The Tigers, however, only made sure of the three points in the last half-hour and, once again, their protagonist was Christian Bugeja who notched four goals.

Joe Hili put the Rovers ahead almost from kick-off but Xewkija were back on level terms four minutes later with a Luc Tefogno goal.

In the 13th minute, Xewkija took the lead from a penalty, scored by Bugeja but Joseph Cordina made it two-all 11 minutes after the restart.

Xewkija lost their way but Bugeja came to their rescue in the latter stages and scored three quick goals to make sure of the three points for his side.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

SK Victoria Wanderers 3
Oratory Youths 0

SK Victoria Wanderers obtained a convincing victory in their match against Oratory Youths to stay joint top of the standings with Xewkija.

With this victory the Wanderers took revenge over Oratory for the defeat conceded in the second round match. The Wanderers' goals were scored by Ajibade Adesina in the 27th, 46th and 79th minutes.

Referee: Joe Agius.

Oratory Youths 1
St Lawrence Spurs 1

Oratory obtained their second consecutive positive result in their quest to avoid bottom place. The Spurs are now out of the running for promotion.

The two goals were scored in the dying moments. Oratory went ahead in the 88th minute through Andrew Zammit but the Spurs made it all square a minute later from a penalty scored by substitute Renzo Formosa.

Oratory's Francesco Cini was sent off in the penalty action for a handsball on the goal line.

Referee: George Portelli.

Munxar Falcons 0
Gharb Rangers 0

This basement clash ended in a goalless stalemate with both sides failing to find a way through as the tussle to avoid the wooden spoon is set to continue until the bitter end.

Referee: George Portelli.

Kercem Ajax win women's title

Kercem Ajax are the winners of the first women's league organised by the GFA. The Ajax made sure of their success with a 3-1 victory over nearest rivals SK Victoria Wanderers in the last match. The two sides had the same number of points before the match kicked off.

Kercem enjoyed the better start and opened a two-goal lead through Joslene Gafa and Michelle Mizzi.

Victoria re-opened the issue after the break with an Emma Xuereb goal. However, Kercem sealed their win with a third goal scored by Gafa.