Champions Xewkija Tigers launched the defence of their GFA Division One title with a 3-1 win over newly-promoted Sannat Lions.

The Tigers found it more difficult than expected to secure the three points.

It was Sannat who took the lead on 32 minutes through Eric Nwankwo.

Xewkija came out more determined after the break and dominated the second half.

Kenneth Mercieca levelled matters with a low shot five minutes after the restart and Daniel Bogdanovic, who was making his debut for Xewkija, put his team ahead with a delightful back-heeled flick from an inviting pass by Dene Shields 13 minutes from time.

Xewkija sealed their victory in the dying stages when Shields headed home a cross by player-coach Alex Simoncic who came on as a late substitute.

Title hopefuls Nadur Youngsters also got their league campaign off to a winning start after edging newcomers St Lawrence Spurs 3-2.

Nadur went two goals up inside the opening six minutes thanks to efforts from Joseph Grima and Josef Buttigieg.

Seven minutes from half-time, St Lawrence Spurs captain Daniel Micallef was sent off for blocking Buttigieg’s goalbound shot with his hands.

Claudio Antunes converted from the spot and, with a three-goal lead and an extra man on the pitch, Nadur seemed heading towards an easy win.

That was not the case though as St Lawrence took advantage of Nadur’s lack of concentration to produce a good reaction in the last 15 minutes.

New Brazilian signing William Barbosa reduced the deficit with a fine strike on 73 minutes. Seven minutes later, Barbosa could have scored a second but his direct free-kick was stopped by the crossbar.

The Spurs were back in contention six minutes from time when Christopher Cauchi’s attempt was handled by Nadur’s Frankie Camilleri in the penalty box.

The Nadur defender was dismissed for a second caution and Barbosa drove home from the resultant penalty.

The closing stages of the game were very exciting.

St Lawrence ended the encounter with nine players after Louis Buttigieg was sent off for a second bookable offence .

Nadur were unlucky not to increase their lead deep into stoppage time as Antunes’s free-kick came off the post.

SK Victoria Wanderers turned defeat into victory in a dramatic derby against Victoria Hotspurs.

The Hotspurs opened the scoring with a long-range shot by Michael Bezzina on 29 minutes but the Wanderers equalised 12 minutes from time courtesy of Ajibade Adesina.

With the match seemingly headed for a draw, the Hotspurs regained the lead at the end of the regular 90 minutes as Moussa Bamba scored from the rebound after Ferdinando Apap’s header had crashed against the crossbar.

However, the Wanderers staged an immediate reaction and, in the first minute of stoppage time, John Paul Grima made it 2-2 with a fine cross-shot.

The drama continued. A minute later, Alfons José Sanz Oltiz escaped the defenders’ attentions and lobbed into an open goal after the Hotspurs goalkeeper had left his goal to try and avert the danger.

In stoppage time, Dylan Mercieca, the Hotspurs defender, was sent off for a late challenge on Oltiz just outside the box.

In the other top-flight match, Oratory Youths had the better of Kerċem Ajax 1-0.

Kerċem went close to snatching the lead on 69 minutes but substitute Malcolm Vella’s cross-shot came off the crossbar.

Oratory scored the winning goal seven minutes from time when Shaun Attard guided the ball home from Thiago Dos Santos’s cross.

Division Two

Promotion favourites Għaj-nsielem pulled off a hard-earned 2-1 win over Qala Saints on the opening day of the Division Two championship.

Qala went ahead on 32 minutes through Joseph Attard but Għajnsielem overturned the deficit thanks to a brace from Charlon Tabone (50, 64).

The Blacks had Damon Hili sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time.

Għarb Rangers registered a convincing 3-1 win over Żebbuġ Rovers.

The Rangers opened a three-goal lead through Josef Muscat (21), Christian Attard (52) and Paul Anthony Attard (60).

Manwel Cordina scored Żebbuġ’s consolation goal three minutes from time.

Xagħra United and Munxar Falcons shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

Luke Attard fired Xagħra ahead on the stroke of half-time but Frank Paul Azzopardi saved a point for Munxar on 79 minutes.

Xagħra’s Victor John Saliba and Donald Borg, of Munxar, were red-carded in the dying stages.

On Wednesday, Għajnsielem maintained their winning start after Tabone scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Għarb.

SK Victoria Wanderers’ Chris Sciortino clears a Victoria Hotspurs attack during the derby.