The GFA Division One league is developing into one of the most contested championships in recent years.
In the two matches played at the Sannat Ground last weekend, Nadur Youngsters and Xewkija Tigers suffered unexpected defeats to Victoria Hotspurs and Kerċem Ajax respectively.
These results favoured SK Victoria Wanderers who retained top spot in the table.
Victoria Hotspurs chalked up a deserved 2-0 win over Nadur Youngsters who dropped to second after back-to-back defeats.
Nadur were without striker Aliou Traore, suspended. The Frenchman’s future is uncertain as the Youngsters are trying to re-sign Brazilian forward Claudio Antunes.
Josef Vella made his debut as Victoria Hotspurs coach.
Nadur were the better side in the opening stages but failed to convert their territorial supremacy into goals. They could have opened the scoring on 10 minutes when Adrian Pulis hit just wide after getting a touch to David Fenech’s shot.
On another occasion, Joseph Portelli concluded wide from a good position.
The Hotspurs gradually came more into the picture. Nadur goalkeeper Mark Grima made good saves from a header by Saturday Nanapere and an effort from Michael Bezzina.
The stalemate was broken on the stroke of half-time when Nana-pere released Bezzina who lifted his shot past the on-rushing goalkeeper.
Nadur missed a great opportunity to equalise three minutes into the second half when Anthony Portelli headed wide from Joseph Portelli’s cross.
The Youngsters’ reaction was tame though with Grima coming to his team’s rescue with fine saves from Nanapere and Dylan Bellotti.
On 66 minutes, Camilleri’s free-kick hit the woodwork and from the rebound, Bezzina’s attempt was blocked by the defence.
Defender Frankie Camilleri then made a goal-line clearance from Nanapere’s header and goal-keeper Grima stopped Bezzina’s follow-up effort.
The Citizens’ pressure produced a second goal 12 minutes from time. Nanapere sped into the area from the left and his low cross was deflected into the net by Nadur’s Camilleri who tried to anticipate Bellotti.
Xewkija Tigers failed to take advantage of Nadur’s slip after going down 2-1 to Kerċem Ajax who remain fourth.
Gilbert Agius and Ferdinando Apap were missing for Xewkija due to suspension. The Tigers gave a debut to former Valletta and Qormi midfielder Keith Fenech.
Kerċem started in determined fashion. John Camilleri fired wide from an ideal position but on 11 minutes, the same player put Kerċem ahead with a fine header from Joseph Chetcuti’s cross.
The Ajax continued to dictate matters and minutes later, Chetcuti’s effort was saved by Adrian Parnis. The Xewkija goalkeeper then stopped Ian Xuereb’s attempt.
Xewkija recorded their first attempt on goal on 23 minutes when Fenech released Dene Shields who was blocked by Leonard Camilleri, the Kerċem goalkeeper.
On 34 minutes, Kerċem almost doubled their advantage but Camilleri’s shot came off a post.
Xewkija pressed forward at the start of the second half.
In the first minute, Kerċem defender Keith Bonello almost committed an own goal after a poor clearance but Camilleri managed to deflect the ball away for a corner.
It was Kerċem who increased their lead during Xewkija’s best period. On 52 minutes, Camilleri’s cross from the right sailed towards the unmarked Malcolm Vella who headed home from close distance.
The Tigers reopened the issue on 62 minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Sabri Rais fouled Shields in the penalty area. The Scottish striker converted from the spot.
Still, Xewkija continued to find it difficult to create scoring chances as Kerċem relied on counter-attacks.
Xewkija goalkeeper Parnis made another important intervention when blocking a Rais shot while, at the other end, Camilleri averted the danger after defender Bonello deflected a long-range free-kick by Joseph Cefai.
In the first minute of stoppage time, Kerċem were reduced to 10 players after Aaron Buttigieg was shown a second yellow card for time-wasting.
Division Two
In the main match of the weekend from the lower category, St Lawrence Spurs and Sannat Lions took a point each after a 1-1 draw.
The Spurs are top of the standings, one point ahead of Għajnsielem who have a game in hand.
Sannat Lions took the lead after 16 minutes when Fernando De Andrade’s effort hit the post and from the rebound, Marvic Saliba stabbed the ball home despite St Lawrence goalkeeper Samuel Micallef’s attempt to block.
The Spurs levelled on 40 minutes. Running on to a through-pass, Jonathan Micallef flicked home after putting pressure on Sannat defender Saliba and goalkeeper Angelo Brignoli.
In the final stages, both sides could have clinched victory but efforts from St Lawrence’s William Portelli and Daniel Pace were blocked by Brignoli and, at the other end, a shot by Sannat’s Josiah Buttigieg was wide.
Għarb Rangers joined Qala Saints on the eight-point mark after edging the Maroons 1-0 in a tight match.
Qala, who were led for the first time by new coach John Cassar, are practically out of the promo-tion race after this defeat.
Despite enjoying the greater share of possession, Qala failed to create any clear scoring chances while Għarb were often dangerous through breaks by Jerry Anyanwu.
Qala suffered a setback six minutes from half-time when Adrian Vella was sent off for retaliation.
On 55 minutes, Għarb scored the goal that decided the issue, a tap-in by Joseph Muscat following a fine move by Christian Attard.
Qala finished the match with nine players after Chris Attard was dismissed a minute from time for two yellow cards.