Ten-man Hotspurs turn defeat into victory

Victoria Hotspurs are back on top of the standings following a hard-earned victory over Kerċem Ajax.

Kerċem opened the score early on from a calibrated Milos Stojanovic free-kick and they continued to be the better side even more when Victoria were reduced to ten players in on 29 minutes when Ryan Grech was red-carded for retaliation.

Kerċem could have doubled their lead just before half-time but Godfrey Emiy mistimed his shot from an ideal position.

The Hotspurs were a transformed side after the break notwithstanding the handicap of having a player less on the field.

An attempt by Noel Borg hit the bar and then an effort by Ivan Dudic was cleared off the line. Victoria then turned the result in their favour thanks to two penalties converted by Dudic.

The first was awarded for a foul by Dylan Mercieca on Fabiano Bassi and the second when Eman Hussain floored Manuel Cordina in the Ajax box.

Kerċem lost composure and were never in a position to produce a comeback.

In another match, SK Victoria Wanderers and Nadur Youngsters figured in a goalless draw. The Citizens retained their position in the upper part of the standings but Nadur are still in bottom place.

Nadur looked better for most of the first period but were found wanting in attack.

Victoria's hopes reduced a blow five minutes from half-time when Simon Gatt was sent off for a foul on Jeffrey Meilak. However, the Citizens still looked dangerous after the break, especially from quick breaks by Ige Adesina and Williams Akande.

On one occasion, goalkeeper Steve Sultana was on the right spot to keep out an Akande shot.

SK Victoria W 0
Nadur Youngsters 0

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

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

Red card: Simon Gatt (SK) 41.

Referee: Kevin Azzopardi.

Kerċem Ajax 1
M. Stojanovic 9
Victoria Hotspurs 2
I. Dudic 53, 62 pens

Kerċem
V. Galea, F. Camilleri, M. Tabone, M. Vella (L. Attard), D. Stojanovic, M. Stojanovic, J. Debrincat, G. Emiy, J.P. Mizzi, D. Mercieca (J. Mercieca), E. Hussain (A. Grech).

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

Red card: Ryan Grech (VH) 29.

Referee: Chris Lautier.