Victoria Hotspurs’ Aleandro Bezzina (left) tries to reach the ball ahead of Joseph Bartolo, of Xagħra United. Photo: Philip Cassar

Nadur Youngsters returned to the top of the GFA Division One standings after recovering from two consecutive defeats with a 3-1 win over strugglers Munxar Falcons.

Nadur lead the standings on 25 points, one more than Xewkija Tigers and SK Victoria Wanderers.

Against Munxar, the champions gave space to some of their fringe players as the Falcons had keeper Joseph Grima (ex-Xewkija Tigers) making his debut but Williams Akande was missing.

Milos Stojanovic incredibly concluded wide after receiving an inviting ball from Joseph Portelli as Nadur took command early on.

They were unlucky on two separate occasions when a shot by Alex Simoncic hit the crossbar and an effort by skipper Anthony Portelli was stopped by the upright.

Nadur opened the scoring on 38 minutes when Anthony Portelli was floored in the box by Paul Anthony Attard. Referee Fyodor Zammit ordered a penalty and showed a red card to Attard. Anthony Portelli converted from the spot.

Munxar were demoralised and on 49 minutes Anthony Portelli doubled the score with a fine shot.

Nadur missed several good chances to add to their lead and Munxar pulled one back on 70 minutes.

Nadur’s Saviour Attard tripped Joseph Grima in the box after a Munxar break. The referee awarded a penalty, converted by Grima.

The Youngsters suffered another blow 12 minutes from time when Christian Debono was sent off for a second caution. However, they avoided further embarrassment with a third goal from midfielder David Fenech.

In another match from the top flight Victoria Hotspurs stayed in the hunt for a top-four spot with a 2-0 win over bottom side Xagħra United.

Saturday Nanapere gave the Hotspurs an early lead after receiving from David Camilleri.

The Hotspurs held most of the possession as Jonathan Holland made his first showing in Gozitan football when coming on as a second-half substitute.

Eighteen minutes from time, the Hotspurs doubled their lead. Holland’s cross was headed in the area by Mark Muscat and Nanapere was on the right spot to push the ball home from close distance.

Nanapere has now reached Xewkija’s Dene Shields with eight goals in second place of the scorers’ list, one goal behind Oratory’s Shaun Attard.

In Division Two, St Lawrence Spurs went top of the table after a 4-1 win over Żebbuġ Rovers.

The Spurs dominated the match and opened a three-goal lead thanks to a hat-trick by Mambaye Boye. Franklin Grima made it 4-0 on 86 minutes and the Rovers scored a consolation goal when Stefan Sultana committed an own goal in stoppage time.

Sannat Lions, meanwhile, remained close to the teams at the top with a 3-2 win over Għarb Rangers. Andrade broke the deadlock early on but Għarb levelled through Christopher Gafa.

Sannat regained the lead before half-time when Luke Attard hit home from a free-kick. They missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead when Fernando de Andrade saw his penalty going off-target.

Sannat were awarded a second penalty four minutes from the end for a foul by Matthew Grech on De Andrade and this time the Brazilian striker converted to make it 3-1.

Għarb got a deserved second goal in time added on through Sam Harland.