Nadur keep title hopes alive
Dyakov hat-trick lifts Tigers
Nadur Youngsters kept their slim title hopes alive with a handsome 4-0 win over SK Victoria Wanderers in what was the last match from the second round of the championship for the two teams.
The Youngsters trail leaders Sannat Lions by four points but the latter have a game in hand.
In another match from the top flight, Xewkija Tigers ended their second-round commitments on an excellent note after hammering fellow strugglers St Lawrence Spurs 3-0. The Tigers moved off the bottom of the table at the expense of the same Spurs.
Nadur enjoyed a flying start to their match against SK Victoria Wanderers as Joseph Portelli fired them ahead after 14 minutes with a crisp grounder. Anthony Portelli doubled the score five minutes from half-time.
The Wanderers had an Ige Adesina header flashing just wide as they tried to fight back but on the hour they suffered a setback when Chris Sciortino was sent off for dissent.
Nadur made their extra player count as they dominated the rest of the match, scoring two other goals in the process through Joseph Portelli and substitute Christian Debono.
Xewkija only took three minutes to open the scoring against St Lawrence. They were awarded a penalty for a foul by Charles Mercieca on newcomer Jonathan Bajada and Kiril Dyakov scored from the spot.
Dyakov doubled the score on 22 minutes when his free-kick took a deflection that left St Lawrence keeper Samuel Micallef stranded.
Xewkija continued to dictate matters but the Saints could have re-opened the issue seven minutes from time when they won a penalty but Hugo Seco saw his spot-kick blocked by Jonathan Xuereb.
On 85 minutes, Xewkija were awarded a second penalty for a foul by Daniel Micallef on substitute Christian Bugeja. Dyakov sealed his hat-trick from the spot.
Division Two
In the only match from the Division Two league last weekend, promotion seekers Oratory Youths were held to a draw by lowly Qala Saints.
Qala were the better side for most of the first half but Oratory improved after the break and took the lead on 55 minutes through Marvin Grech.
The Saints levelled the scores four minutes later through Marcel Meilak and withstood Oratory’s onslaught with Kenny Grima effecting a series of fine saves to preserve a point for his team.