Xewkija Tigers took a significant step towards winning the title after beating champions Nadur Youngsters for the second time this season.
The much-awaited clash between the two main title contenders had all the ingredients of a cup tie, producing good football, seven goals, three red cards, some controversial refereeing decisions and a lively atmosphere created by the numerous fans of the two teams.
With this win, Xewkija have consolidated their position at the top of the table, opening a five-point gap before their match against second-placed SK Victoria Wanderers on Sunday.
On the other hand, Nadur are virtually out of the title race as they are seven points behind the Tigers with only four games left.
Needing a win to reduce the gap on Xewkija, Nadur had an excellent start. They opened the scoring through Brandon Said who concluded well after being released by debutant Mark Hyzler.
Xewkija’s reaction was neutralised by Nadur’s rearguard and, on 22 minutes, the Youngsters could have doubled their lead but Elton Da Silva’s attempt, following a solo move, was stopped by goalkeeper Adrian Parnis.
From the rebound, Said’s effort was cleared by the defence.
Xewkija increased their efforts, piling the pressure on the Nadur defence with Jason Portelli, Gilbert Agius and Chris Camilleri leading the Tigers’ charge.
The score became equal on 27 minutes when John Camilleri beat Mark Grima with a low shot after receiving from Dene Shields.
Four minutes later, Ferdinando Apap put Xewkija ahead, hitting home after Agius’s free-kick had sparked a goalmouth melee.
Xewkija continued to dominate and on 35 minutes, they increased their lead with a stunning drive from Shields.
The flurry of goals continued. Six minutes from half-time, John Camilleri fired Xewkija 4-1 up with another low drive after a good move involving Agius, Chris Camilleri and Shields.
In the opening stages of the second half, Nadur tried to produce a reaction but Xewkija defended well and managed to keep the danger away from their area. They also went close to increasing their lead through efforts by Shields, Agius and Chris Camilleri.
Despite Xewkija’s comfortable lead, the match produced a thril-ling finale as Nadur staged an unexpected comeback but it was not enough to cancel out their three-goal deficit.
The Youngsters pulled one back on 79 minutes, Said heading home from Elton’s cross. Nadur gained in confidence only to suffer a double blow when Charles Hili and Charles Mercieca were sent off in the last six minutes for fouls on Christian Bugeja and goalkeeper Parnis.
Nadur refused to throw in the towel and, on the stroke of time, Adrian Pulis surprised Xewkija’s defence with a low shot after receiving from Milos Stojanovic.
Soon after the restart, Nadur’s Anthony Portelli, who had just come on as a substitute, was shown a straight red card for a foul on Agius.
In a Relegation Pool match, Kerċem Ajax and Oratory Youths, both of whom have already secured their top-division status, earned a point after a one-all draw.
It was Oratory who took the lead late in the first half, thanks to Antoine Camilleri.
Kerċem regrouped after the break and levelled the score on 50 minutes through a header by Keith Bonello who met a long-range free-kick by Petar Kyumyurdzhiev.
In the last game from the first round of the Relegation Pool, Munxar Falcons picked three precious points after a 1-0 win against Xagħra United to improve their hopes of avoiding the drop.
This direct clash between the two strugglers was a balanced affair with few scoring opportunities.
Michael Pace’s 66th-minute goal, from a free-kick, settled the issue in favour of Munxar.
Division Two
Għajnsielem and Sannat Lions maintained their promotion challenge with victories over Qala Saints and Għarb Rangers.
Charlon Tabone (41) and Robert Grima (52) gave Għajnsielem a 2-0 lead before Qala reduced the deficit through Chris Attard (64).
Sannat trounced Għarb 5-0. Nicholas Micallef (2) and an own goal by Christopher Mercieca (30) gave Sannat a 2-0 half-time lead.
Sannat scored three more goals in the second half through Fernando de Andrade (53), Shaun Mizzi (57) and Fabian Xuereb (87).