Qala SJ relegated

Qala St Joseph were relegated to Division Two last weekend after going down to Nadur Youngsters as second-bottom Kerċem Ajax won the points after a pulsating nine-goal thriller with Victoria Hotspurs for whom Martin Hanus scored four goals but still finished on the losing side.

In the other match from the top flight, Għajnsielem trounced depleted SK Victoria Wanderers to emerge as the only challengers to leaders Sannat Lions for the title.

Għajnsielem made sure of victory with two goals scored in each half. Kenneth Mercieca made it 1-0 on 17 minutes with a simple tap-in following a pass by Frank Lee Galea.

The Citizens tried to react but the Blacks doubled the score seconds from half-time with a Joseph Attard goal, his shot hitting the underside of the bar and bouncing across the line.

Għajnsielem sealed the issue with a penalty, converted by Sarkis Goncalves on 48 minutes, and an Alex Viana goal on 68 minutes.

Kerċem and Victoria Hotspurs needed all points at stake from their clash but the relegation-troubled Ajax looked more motivated and opened a three-goal lead with goals by Milos Stojanovic, Josef Debrincat and Jean Paul Mizzi.

However, the Hotspurs regrouped and hit back with two Hanus goals in the space of a minute in the early stages of the second half.

Kerċem regained composure and extended their lead to two goals on 59 minutes through Milan Cvetic.

The match had much more to tell though as the Hotspurs took command in midfield and their efforts were rewarded five minutes from time with another Hanus goal.

The Ajax lost confidence and in the fourth minute of stoppage time Czech Hanus levelled matters following a fine solo move.

Kerċem keeper Leonard Camilleri was sent off for retaliation. However, Ajax incredibly scored the decisive goal in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Victoria's rearguard failed to clear a free-kick and Manwel Tabone fired home to the delight of his clan.

Nadur are fifth in the standings following a convincing 3-0 win over Qala. They are now two points ahead of Kerċem in the tussle to avoid a relegation play-off.

Qala lacked motivation and the Youngsters were able to dictate matters easily. However, for all their possession Nadur only managed to open the score just before half-time from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Peter Said on Alex Simoncic, and converted by Bojan Brajovic.

Qala were unable to react and Nadur player-coach Simoncic doubled the score from a free-kick.

On 57 minutes, the Saints were reduced to ten players when Said was sent off for an off-the-ball incident. Nadur continued to dominate and sealed the issue with another Brajovic goal seven minutes from time.

Title issue

The Division One title could be decided on Saturday afternoon as leaders Sannat clash against second-placed Għajnsielem.

A victory for the Lions will see them being crowned champions for the first time in 19 years.

In case of a draw, Sannat would only need a point from their last match against SK Victoria Wanderers.

Summaries

SK Victoria Wanderers 0
Għajnsielem 4
K. Mercieca 17; Attard 45; Goncalves 48 pen; Viana 62

SK Victoria Wanderers
M. Mercieca, S. Gatt (L. Mizzi), M. Grech, K. Azzopardi, A. Williams, J. Refalo, J. Vella, J. Attard (S. Dimech), I. Adesina, C. Sciortino, L. Dimech.

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

Referee: Mario Apap.

Victoria Hotspurs 4
Hanus 47, 48, 85, 90+4
Kerċem Ajax 5
Stojanovic 5; Debrincat 27; Mizzi 43; Cvetic 59; Tabone 90+8

Victoria Hotspurs
M. Grima, J.P. Grima, A. Tramboo, D. Farrugia, A. Zammit, M. Buttigieg, R. Grech (J. Azzopardi), J. Xerri, R. Mercieca, M. Cordina (C. Hili), M. Hanus.

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

Red card: L. Camilleri (K) 90+6.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Nadur Youngsters 3
Brajovic 43 pen, 83; Simoncic 63
Qala St Joseph 0

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

Qala St Joseph
V. Agius, M. Secco, P. Camilleri, P. Said, J. Xerri, E. Nkwankwo, R. Saverino (J. Bajada), N. Portelli, D. Lautier, D. Abela (L. Buttigieg, J. Galea), M. Bonello.

Red card: Said (Q) 57.

Referee: Reno Refalo.