SK Victoria Wanderers claimed a hard-earned 1-0 win over bottom side Xagħra United to go top of the standings, two points ahead of Nadur Youngsters who have a game in hand.
Coming from a series of positive results and performances, the Wanderers looked overconfident and sorely felt the absence of midfielder Fernando Giarrizzo who was suspended.
On the other hand, Xagħra were determined to gain their first point in the championship and tried hard to save the result until the final whistle.
After four minutes, the Xagħra goalkeeper made a good intervention when cutting out a cross from the right with Peter Anizoba failing to conclude from close distance.
On another occasion, Chris Sciortino’s shot ended wide of Xagħra’s goal but, as the minutes ticked away, the Blues began to share the exchanges. On 18 minutes, Oleg Pogukay concluded badly following a move by Victor Saliba.
SK Victoria Wanderers were again dangerous with a shot by Joseph Vella that missed the target while an effort by Anizoba hit the woodwork on 24 minutes.
Xagħra had their best opportunities through a header by Juan Ruiz Perez, which ended high, and a shot by Joseph Scerri on 52 minutes that was blocked by Wanderers goalkeeper Simon Agius.
The Wanderers scored what proved to be the winner on 63 minutes. Ejofor Nkwocha advanced on the right before putting in a fine cross for Anizoba to fire home from close in.
Xagħra tried to make a reaction. They went close to an equaliser but Chidi Achokwu’s effort was wide.
Nine minutes from time, the Wanderers should have doubled their lead but a header from Anizoba, from a corner action, came off the crossbar.
Xagħra increased their efforts in the final stages but SK Victoria Wanderers withstood the pressure and also went close to scoring with two attempts by Joseph Vella.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Joseph Bartolo blasted wide from a good position.
In another match from the top flight, Oratory Youths coasted to a 5-0 win over Munxar Falcons to move 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
The match was balanced in the first half but goalmouth action was rare.
Munxar created the first opportunity on 20 minutes but Joseph Grima’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Franklin Vella.
The Youths opened the scoring on 35 minutes with a strike from Gianluca Vella following a short clearance by the Munxar defence during a corner action.
Oratory took command after the break, adding four more goals through Oliver Farrugia (57), a Shaun Attard double (65, 76) and a goal by Andrea Debrincat (74).
Debrincat could have made it six for Oratory in the closing minutes but his shot hit the post.
Thanks to his brace last weekend, Oratory’s Attard is now leading the scorers’ list with nine goals, two more than Xewkija’s Dene Shields.
Division Two
In the main match from the Division Two championship, St Lawrence Spurs secured three important points after a 3-2 win over Għajn-sielem to join their opponents at the top. This was St Lawrence’s second win over the Blacks this season.
Għajnsielem went ahead five minutes from half-time with a tap-in from Charlon Tabone after Joseph Attard had broken on the counter.
St Lawrence staged a good reaction after the break and levelled the scores on 49 minutes. They were awarded a penalty for a foul by goalkeeper Luke Buttigieg on Mambaye Boye who picked himself up to score from the spot.
Għajnsielem were reduced to 10 players on 66 minutes when Joe Camilleri was sent off after receiving a second caution for protests.
With 13 minutes remaining, St Lawrence turned the score in their favour with an excellent strike by Boye from Daniel Pace’s cross.
Two minutes from time, the referee awarded a second penalty to St Lawrence after Joshua Cassar trip-ped Stephan Cauchi in the box.
Cassar was shown a red card and Mario Cutajar converted from the spot to put the Saints 3-1 up.
Despite being down to nine men, Għajnsielem reduced the deficit in stoppage time with a goal from Joseph Attard.
Żebbuġ Rovers obtained their first win of the season after beating Sannat Lions 3-0.
Sannat were outfought by their opponents and would have lost by a bigger margin but for a series of fine interventions by goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli.
Żebbuġ took the lead on 27 minutes with a fine shot from Pavol Grieti and doubled their advantage on 47 minutes through Ġorġi Portelli.
Veteran Sylvan Galea sealed the Rovers’ victory with a fine lob on 76 minutes.