Hotspurs held to a draw

Leaders Victoria Hotspurs dropped their first points in the championship after they were held to a one-all draw by Qala St Joseph. The result left both teams undefeated so far as the Hotspurs stayed top of the standings. However, but they missed the chance to increase their lead to four points and strengthen their position, even though the season is still in its infancy.

Victoria opened the scoring after 19 minutes when Ivan Dudic headed home following a perfect Fabiano Bassi centre from the right flank.

The Maroons produced a strong reaction and levelled matters two minutes later thanks to an Eric Nkwankwo goal from a free-kick taken by Ricardo Saverino.

Qala held the initiative and were dangerous through attempts by Saverino and Charles Hili as Bassi and John Paul Grima led the Hotspurs' bid to win the points. In the end, the sharing of the spoils was, perhaps, a just result.

In another match, SK Victoria Wanderers and Għajnsielem also took a point each after a 1-1 draw in an entertaining game.

The Wanderers played the better football during the first half, going ahead a minute from the break through Ajibade Adesina.

The Blacks regrouped and had a golden chance to draw level when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Marvin Grech on Brian Meilak. However, Errol Grima's shot from the spot hit the base of the post.

Għajnsielem never relented though and their efforts were rewarded on 58 minutes when Ndayi Kalenga netted from close distance following some shaky defending by the Wanderers.

The first match of Day Three saw Sannat Lions chalk up their first victory after beating Nadur Youngsters 3-1. This was Nadur's fourth consecutive defeat this season and the third in the championship.

The Lions made sure of the points with three goals in the first period. They dominated from the very beginning and took the lead through John Camilleri after seven minutes.

Fernando de Andrade doubled the Lions' lead with an excellent strike on 20 minutes and newcomer Rashid Nagem made it 3-0 with a goal seven minutes from half-time.

Sannat got their foot off the pedal after the break but Nadur only managed to score a consolation goal on 90 minutes through Joseph Portelli.

Sannat Lions 3
Camilleri 7; De Andrade 20; Nagem 38
Nadur Youngsters 1
Portelli 90

Sannat
D. Bajada, M. Muscat, M. Formosa (F. Debono), M. Azzopardi, A. Debono, B. Njoku, R. Nagem, S. Rais (N. Micallef), J. Agius, J. Camilleri (E. Bugeja), F. De Andrade.

Nadur
S. Sultana, J. Meilaq, S. Attard, P. Buttigieg, A. Simoncic, B. Timotic, J. Buttigieg, I. Ginev, S. Muscat (J Said), A. Portelli, J. Portelli.

Referee: Paul Apap.

SK Victoria W. 1
Adesina 44
Għajnsielem 1
Kalenga 58

SK Victoria
M. Mercieca, M. Grech, S. Gatt, D.U. Monday, F. Magrin, M. Buttigieg (C. Scortino), J. Refalo, R.W. Akande, A. Adesina, I. Adesina, J. Vella.

Għajnsielem
J. Xuereb, F. Buttigieg, T. Lateff, C. Mercieca, J. Buttigieg, B. Meilak (J. Attard), K. Mercieca, E. Grima, M. Cremona, N. Kalenga, F.L. Galea.

Referee: Duncan Sultana.

Victoria Hotspurs 1
Dudic 19
Qala St Joseph 1
Nkwankwo 21

Victoria Hotspurs
M. Grima, J.P. Grima (J. Mizzi), A. Tramboo, J. Xerri (R. Mercieca), R. Grech, M. Vella, M. Cordina (M. Buttigieg), N. Borg, J. Portelli, F. Bassi, I. Dudic.

Qala
V. Agius, D. Abela, G. Cefai, P. Camilleri, M. Bonello, M. Mifsud (C. Portelli), C. Hili, M. Secco, R. Saverino, E. Nkwankwo, J. Galea.

Referee: Mario Apap.