Għajnsielem revive championship hopes

Għajnsielem beat relegation strugglers Kerċem Ajax 3-0 last weekend to join SK Victoria Wanderers in second place in the table, three points behind leaders Sannat Lions.

The Wanderers would have edged closer to the Lions had they beaten Nadur Youngsters in their last outing but they had to settle for a point after a goalless stalemate.

The Blacks' victory over Kerċem matured with two goals early in the second half. The exchanges during the opening period were quite balanced but Għajnsielem broke the deadlock on 54 minutes from a penalty. It was awarded for a foul on Alex Viana and converted by Sarkis Goncalves.

Goncalves doubled Għajnsielem's lead three minutes later with a rasping shot at the end of a fine solo move.

Kerċem tried to get back in contention and went close with efforts by Milos Stojanovic and substitute Leonard Camilleri. The latter was unlucky late on when his header hit the woodwork.

However, in the third minute of stoppage time, the referee awarded a second penalty to Għajnsielem for a foul on Joe Attard. Goalkeeper Mercieca was sent off and Viana made it 3-0 from the spot.

SK Victoria Wanderers and Nadur figured in the third goalless draw between them this season. Victoria created their best scoring opportunities in the early stages of the match but efforts by Ajibade Adesina and Franco Magrin were saved by keeper Sultana.

The Youngsters held the initiative after the break but Victoria had a goal by substitute Lauran Dimech disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper. In the latter stages, Nadur protested for a penalty following a tackle by substitute Simon Gatt on Josef Buttigieg but their claims were waved away by the referee.

Summaries, Standings

SK Victoria W. 0
Nadur Youngsters 0

SK Victoria W.
M. Mercieca, M. Grech, D.U. Monday, F. Magrin, M. Buttigieg, K. Azzopardi (S. Gatt), J. Refalo (L. Dimech), A.R. Williams, I. Adesina, A. Adesina, J. Vella.

Nadur Youngsters
S. Sultana, J. Meilak, M. Portelli, P. Buttigieg, A. Simoncic, B. Timotic, J. Buttigieg, S. Attard, S. Muscat, A. Portelli (J. Muscat), B. Brajovic.

Għajnsielem 3
Goncalves 54 pen., 57; Viana 90 pen.
Kerċem Ajax 0

Għajnsielem
J. Xuereb (J. Grech), D. Debattista, F. Buttigieg, C. Mercieca, J. Buttigieg, B. Meilak, K. Mercieca (F. Apap), J. Attard, A. Viana, S. Goncalves, E. Grima (C. Tabone).

Kerċem Ajax
C. Mercieca, F. Camilleri, A. Buttigieg (E. Hussain), D. Stojanovic, M. Tabone, L. Attard, M. Cvetic, M. Stojanovic, J. Debrincat, D. Mercieca, A. Grech (L. Camilleri).