Għajnsielem moved second in the Division One standings after beating Xewkija Tigers 1-0 to set up an appetising Boxing Day clash with leaders Sannat Lions, now only two points ahead of the Blacks.
In another match from the top flight, Victoria Hotspurs beat city rivals SK Victoria Wanderers 2-0, the outcome leaving both teams in mid-table.
The match between Għajnsielem and Xewkija was practically decided in the second minute as Ferdinando Apap scored the goal that mattered with a tap-in following a cross by Alex Simoncic.
Those present at the stadium anticipated a drubbing for the bottom-placed Xewkija after Apap’s goal but the Tigers had other ideas in mind as they held firm. They were also unlucky not to level matters when an effort by Josef Xerri hit the post.
However, Xewkija’s best opportunity arrived early in the second half when an effort by Mark Camilleri was handled on the line by Yannick Ossok.
Referee Mario Apap dismissed Ossok and ordered a penalty but Camilleri fired wide from the spot.
In the derby, the Hotspurs made sure of victory with two first-half goals. The champions were the more motivated team on the pitch as the Wanderers struggled to cope with the absence of Akande Williams and skipper Joseph Refalo, both suspended.
The Hotspurs took a deserved lead on 22 minutes through a spectacular Kalin Ganchev shot from outside the area that surprised keeper Franklin Vella.
Encouraged by their opener, Victoria Hotspurs stayed in command and doubled the score on 40 minutes when Justin Agius headed behind Vella from a corner.
The Wanderers lifted their game after the break but the Hotspurs defended strongly, so much so that keeper Mark Grima was rarely, if ever, tested.
The closest the Wanderers came to re-opening the issue was when a Brian Meilak free-kick ended just wide. On another occasion, an Ajibade Adesina grounder was blocked by Grima with relative ease.
Division Two
Promotion candidates Kerċem Ajax and Oratory Youths figured in a nine-goal thriller that ended in a 5-4 victory for the latter.
Oratory are one point behind leaders Xagħra United who have a game in hand.
Kerċem opened the scoring through Karol Mifsud but the Youths staged an immediate reaction to go 3-1 up by the 18th minute thanks to a Francesco Cini brace (both penalties) and a spectacular Dione Lautier goal.
The Ajax reduced the arrears through Mifsud but a minute from half-time Paul Anthony Attard re-established Oratory’s two-goal lead.
The Ajax re-opened the issue from a penalty converted by Jean Paul Mizzi and Leonard Camilleri made it 4-4 two minutes from time. However, Oratory clinched a dramatic win with a fifth goal through Attard.
Oratory ended the match with 10 players when Cini was sent off for retaliation.
Qala and Għarb earned a point each following a 2-2 draw.
Joseph Muscat put Qala in front but an Alan Cini double turned the result in Għarb’s favour. The Saints levelled matters on 56 minutes through Franco Buttigieg.
Għarb were reduced to 10 players on 74 minutes when Louis Buttigieg was sent off for a second bookable offence.