Scottish striker Dene Shields scored a brace as Xewkija Tigers came from behind to beat champions Nadur Youngsters and consolidate top spot in the league standings.
As expected, the match between the two title rivals attracted a sizeable crowd to the Gozo Stadium with the two sets of fans creating a colourful atmosphere.
Nadur, who were missing Alex Simoncic and David Fenech due to injuries, took control of midfield in the opening stages but Xewkija created the first opportunity when a header by Rodney Buttigieg was cleared away by Adrian Pulis.
Charles Hili’s strike was saved by Xewkija goalkeeper Adrian Parnis but the Youngsters opened the scoring on 18 minutes.
Pulis’s pass was deflected towards Elton Da Silva who rounded Parnis and placed the ball into the open goal. The Tigers staged an immediate reaction and Nadur goalkeeper Mark Grima saved a shot by Shields.
Xewkija had a golden opportunity to level on 27 minutes when the referee awarded them a penalty after Pulis was adjudged to have blocked Shields’s lob with his hands.
Shields’s spot-kick was pushed away by Grima and, from the rebound, the Xewkija striker concluded wide.
Just before half-time, Nadur threatened to double their lead but Elton’s shot flew over the bar.
In the opening seconds of the second period, Xewkija’s Chris Camilleri headed over. With Xewkija pushing for an equaliser, Nadur exploited the gaps in the opposing defence but missed three chances to increase their advantage.
Joseph Portelli hit wide in a one-on-one situation with Parnis who then blocked attempts by Anthony Portelli and Elton.
Nadur were punished for these missed opportunities as Xewkija struck two goals in six minutes.
Twelve minutes into the second half, John Camilleri’s cross reached Gilbert Agius outside the area and the latter headed towards Shields who fired a low shot into the net.
Xewkija scored the goal that decided the issue on 63 minutes thanks to a header from Shields after John Camilleri had deflected Buttigieg’s cross.
Nadur were shocked and Xewkija were dangerous again, Agius’s free-kick ending just wide.
On another occasion, an attempt by Shields was stopped by Grima.
Nadur could have clinched a dramatic equaliser in the dying moments but skipper Anthony Portelli hesitated when in a good shooting position, and a strike by Josef Buttigieg was pushed away for a corner by Parnis.
SK Victoria Wanderers took advantage of Nadur’s defeat as they trounced Munxar Falcons 6-0 to remain two points behind Xewkija.
The Wanderers might have opened the scoring after just 37 seconds when they were awarded a penalty for a handball by Paul Anthony Attard from a shot by Daniel Bogdanovic.
Fernando Giarrizzo’s shot from the spot was partially saved by Damien Spiteri and from the rebound, Eric Nwankwo fired wide.
The Wanderers’ domination continued as they raced into a four-goal lead by the end of the first half with goals from Bogdanovic (13), Peter Anizoba (16) and a brace by Nwankwo (34, 44).
On 65 minutes, Victoria were awarded a second penalty for a foul on Eman Bugeja and Bogdanovic converted from the spot.
Bugeja got the Wanderers’ sixth on the stroke of time.
Victoria Hotspurs moved to fourth place after a 2-0 win over Oratory Youths.
The Hotspurs broke the deadlock thanks to a direct free-kick from David Camilleri.
Saturday Nanapere doubled the score for the Hotspurs on 52 minutes with a low drive after receiving from Dylan Bellotti.
In the final minutes, the Citizens could have added a third but Mark Muscat’s lob was cleared off the line by Keith Farrugia.
In another match, played at the Kerċem Stadium, Kerċem Ajax inflicted a 3-0 defeat on strugglers Xagħra United but still failed to make it to the Championship Pool.
Joseph Chetcuti put Kerċem ahead after 27 minutes and Ian Xuereb doubled their lead early in the second half.
Andrew Mizzi made sure of the points with a third goal four minutes from time.
Division Two
St Lawrence Spurs regained sole leadership in Division Two following a 3-0 win over Għarb Rangers.
The Spurs opened a two-goal lead through Jason Theuma (28) and Daniel Pace (31) but on 32 minutes, they were reduced to 10 men after Daniel Micallef was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Għarb also lost a player to a red card on 65 minutes when Christian Attard was dismissed for a second caution. The Spurs sealed their victory with a stoppage-time goal from substitute Stephan Cauchi.
Sannat Lions registered a 4-2 win over Żebbuġ Rovers to stay in contention for promotion.
Fernando De Andrade hit a brace for the winners (34, 45) with the other goals coming from Shaun Muscat (48) and Daniel Borg (56).
Żebbuġ made the score look more respectable after getting two goals from penalties.
Manwel Cordina converted the first on 62 minutes and Pedro Adame Calderone scored the second 12 minutes later.