GFA Division One leaders Xewkija Tigers failed to go beyond a 1-1 draw with SK Victoria Wanderers last weekend. In another match, Sannat Lions distanced themselves from the drop zone after a 2-1 win over troubled Victoria Hotspurs.
The Wanderers were determined to beat Xewkija to join the title race. Their early pressure paid off as they took a deserved lead through Kenneth Mercieca who received an inviting pass from Ajibade Adesina.
The Wanderers had good opportunities to double their advantage but attempts by Adesina and Edinson Sanchez Estrada were blocked and Xewkija keeper Joseph Grima did well to block an Adesina shotfrom close in early in the second half.
Xewkija levelled matters six minutes into the second half through a Chris Camilleri free-kick but the Citizens quickly regained their attacking momentum. Grima had to be alert to stop Lauran Dimech from putting his team back in the lead.
The Tigers then clicked into gear, going close to scoring on a number of occasions through Rodney Buttigeig, Chris Camilleri and John Camilleri.
In the dying moments, both sides could have snatched the winner. Sanchez Estrada almost had the better of the Xewkija keeper and, at the other end, Buttigieg’s shot hit the post.
Sannat have now moved into safer waters. They pummelled the Hotspurs’ goal in the opening stages, taking the lead when Eric Nwankwo headed home from close in.
The Hotspurs recovered from a difficult start and just after the half-hour mark, Dylan Bellotti made it one-all.
This was a crucial match for both sides and a drawn result looked likely until Sannat scored a dramatic winner on the stroke of time, Noel Borg’s cross-shot leaving the Victoria keeper stranded on his line.
Division Two
Leaders Kerċem Ajax inflicted a heavy 7-0 defeat on Żebbuġ Rovers to maintain their supremacy in the championship.
They opened a four-goal lead by the end of the first half with goals from Sabri Rais (2), Malcolm Vella and Alvin Grech (penalty).
Kerċem’s other goals were scored by Jean Paul Mizzi, Vella and substitute Josef Debrincat.
St Lawrence Spurs got back in the hunt for the runners-up spot with a 4-1 win over Qala Saints.
Nicholas Micallef and Gothard Conti gave the Spurs a 2-0 lead at half-time. Mario Mifsud pulled one back from a penalty for Qala but the Spurs made sure of victory with goals from Micallef and Mario Cutajar.
In another match from Division Two, Munxar Falcons beat the pointless Għarb Rangers 3-2.
On 34 minutes, Alan Cini cancelled out Mario Azzopardi’s opener for Munxar. Azzopardi then missed a penalty but William Cassar put the Falcons back in the lead on the hour.
Għarb battled bravely not to finish empty-handed yet again and Cini drew them level on 63 minutes. But Daniel Pace was on the mark late on to give Munxar their third victory of the season.