The last matches from the first round of the GFA Division One championship were played last weekend at the Gozo Stadium with leaders Nadur having to work overtime to see off SK Victoria Wanderers 1-0.

Overconfidence must have complicated Nadur’s task as they only managed one goal against their modest opponents, Milos Stojanovic heading the winner from a rebound on 52 minutes.

Nadur’s nearest pursuers, Xewkija Tigers, returned to winning ways with a close 1-0 victory over Victoria Hotspurs.

The Hotspurs produced another lively display in their bid to get more points on board and move out of the bottom half of the table.

However, they compromised their chances on 57 minutes when they were reduced to 10 players after Jason Pace was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Xewkija had struggled to create openings until that juncture but surged forward following Pace’s dismissal.

They managed to score the goal that mattered six minutes from the end when Scottish forward Dene Shields netted from close distance from Alex Simon-cic’s free-kick.

In stoppage time, Xewkija could have made sure of the victory but Shields’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Matthew Vella.

Kerċem Ajax ended the first round in third place thanks to the points obtained from a 2-1 victory over Sannat Lions.

The Ajax had to wait until the 55th minute to open the scoring as Anderson Ribeiro converted a penalty.

Sannat were stunned and Andrew Mizzi made it 2-0 soon after.

Fernando de Andrade scored Sannat’s consolation goal late in the game.

Oratory Youths and St Lawrence Spurs shared the spoils following an interesting encounter that produced six goals.

The Youths made the better start to take a 15-minute lead through a fine shot by Thiago Dos Santos.

Shaun Attard should have increased Oratory’s lead but his first attempt was stopped by keeper Joseph Grima and the striker hit badly from the rebound.

Oratory were punished for that missed opportunity as the Spurs produced a determined fightback with striker Christopher Cauchi coming to the fore.

He first levelled matters on 26 minutes and then turned the result in St Lawrence’s favour with another goal 12 minutes later.

Oratory hit back after the half-time break and Attard made it 2-2 after being put through by Mark Camilleri.

Then, nine minutes from time, Thiago Dos Santos put the Youths in front with a perfect lob.

The Youths looked to be heading for a hard-earned victory but the Spurs were rewarded for their efforts when Cedric Sciberras scored a dramatic equaliser with a stoppage-time header.

Division Two

The two matches in programme last weekend were both aban-doned.

Żebbuġ Rovers vs Xagħra United was stopped in the sixth minute due to a power failure at the Kerċem ground with no goals scored.

The clash between Għajn-sielem and Munxar Falcons was also abandoned after 30 minutes due to heavy rain with the score 1-1.

Għajnsielem vs Munxar was replayed on Monday evening with the Blacks pulling off a 2-0 win.

Goals from Kenny Hili (31) and Charlon Tabone (67) extended Għajnsielem’s lead at the top of the standings to six points.

Għajnsielem had Matthew Portelli sent off for dissent on 56 minutes.

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