Qala hold leaders Nadur to a draw

Nadur Youngsters 2
Qala St Joseph 2

Nadur Youngsters were expected to beat Qala St Joseph and gain the points they needed to seal the league title before their last match.

The Youngsters dominated throughout and created several scoring opportunities but their strikers were not so sharp as Qala keeper Inim Aktpan distinguished himself with a series of fine saves.

The match endured a slow start and Nadur keeper Kevin Vella, who was replacing the suspended Jonathan Xuereb, made a difficult save from a free-kick by Mario Mifsud.

Qala opened the scoring in the 19th minute with a shot from the distance by Mifsud. But, Nadur hit back and turned the tide in their favour with two goals in two minutes.

Alex Simoncic made it one-all with a fine header in the 25th minute and Joseph Portelli put Nadur ahead with a firm shot from outside the box after winning possession inside the Qala half.

The Youngsters kept insisting and produced a number of scoring chances, particularly through Chris Camilleri and Simoncic.

The Maroons opted for caution as Nadur eased the pressure in the dying minutes and lost defender Marcos Secco to injury late on.

With Secco out, Qala sensed they could take something from the match. Their efforts were rewarded when Lautier scored a dramatic equaliser with a header from close in.

Referee: Clayton Pisani.

Victoria Hotspurs 3
Sannat Lions 2

Victoria Hotspurs turned defeat into victory against Sannat with two late goals to stay in contention for the title, hoping that Nadur slip up in their last two matches.

It was a difficult match for Victoria who ended with 10 men, 20 minutes from time.

Although the Hotspurs enjoyed the edge for most of the match, they failed to convert their superiority into goals.

The Lions went ahead in the 15th minute through Errol Grima who concluded a fine move by Fernando de Andrade. The Citizens recovered from that shock and made it one-all in the 34th minute thanks to a Marvin Buttigieg goal who hit home a Fabiano Bassi cross.

Victoria were punished in the 70th minute when De Andrade netted with a low shot following a fast break. The Hotspurs also had a player sent off after that goal when the referee showed the red card to Chris Attard for dissent.

The Lions failed to take advantage of the extra player though as Victoria regrouped and ventured forward.

Saverino levelled the score in the 85th minute with a header from a corner and Bassi made it 3-2 a minute later following a move by substitute Joseph Mizzi.

Referee: Paul Caruana.

Xaghra United 2
Kercem Ajax 4

Kercem obtained three precious points in their direct clash against Xaghra to improve their chances of survival. Xaghra are now practically doomed to relegation.

Ajax opened a two-goal lead following goals by Mario Azzopardi and Milos Stojanovic between the 16th and 18th minutes. They could have added another goal minutes later but Malcolm Vella concluded weakly from an ideal position.

Xaghra pulled one back on 25 minutes. Azzopardi floored Silvan Galea in the box and the referee awarded Xaghra a penalty which was converted by Leandro Blanco de Castro.

Kerçem were not demoralised and scored again in the 37th minute following a header by Vella.

In the 44th minute, they won a penalty after a foul on Gothard Conti but goalkeeper Donald Gauci, who gave away the spot-kick, made up for his mistake and saved Stojanovic's shot.

Xaghra managed to re-open the issue in the 66th minute with a goal by Shaun Sultana. They piled up the pressure on their opponents' rearguard but Kerçem were menacing on the counter. Conti dashed Xaghra's hopes 16 minutes from time when he scored his team's fourth goal.

Referee: George Portelli.

Ghajnsielem 2
Kercem Ajax 1

Ghajnsielem gained the points they needed to make sure of their top-flight status with a close victory over relegation candidates Kerçem Ajax.

The Blacks opened the scoring in the 36th minute through a volley by John Camilleri. Kerçem levelled matters five minutes from half-time through Milos Stojanovic.

Kerçem went all out to take the lead after the break but Ghajnsielem's Dominic Okanu scored what proved to be the decisive goal following a pass by Camilleri.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.