Title challengers Xewkija Tigers and Nadur Youngsters obtained contrasting wins last weekend to remain within one point of each other before their direct clash on Sunday afternoon at the Gozo Stadium.

Xewkija came back from a goal down to beat Kerċem Ajax 2-1.

Kerċem were the better team in the opening stages, taking a deserved lead through a free-kick by Mario Mifsud on 31 minutes.

A strong reaction from Xewkija produced an equaliser, scored by Dene Shields. The match remained entertaining as the two sides continued to create attacks.

Xewkija were unlucky on two occasions when Daniel Bogdanovic’s effort, on the stroke of half-time, hit the post while a 69th-minute header from Chris Camilleri came off the crossbar.

The defending champions had to wait until 10 minutes from time to secure the points thanks to a superb header from John Camilleri following a cross by Bogdanovic.

Nadur broke little sweat in beating Victoria Hotspurs 4-0, scoring three goals inside the opening 33 minutes.

Claudio Antunes scored a double (9, 21 penalty) and Mark Hyzler tapped the ball home for Nadur’s third after Brandon Said’s effort had rebounded off the bar.

Nadur eased their pressure after the break but the Hotspurs failed to capitalise on the scoring chances that came their way.

Three minutes past the hour, Nadur increased their advantage as Antunes completed his hat-trick with a close-range effort after Brian Meilak’s strike was cleared off the line.

In a match from the Relegation Pool, SK Victoria Wanderers revived their hopes of moving away from the red zone with a 2-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs.

Sunday Baala put the Wanderers ahead after 15 minutes.

St Lawrence staged a determined reaction, particularly after the break, but the Wanderers defended well and made sure of the three points when Oliver Farrugia scored their second goal on the stroke of time.

In another match, Oratory Youths were held to a goalless draw by lowly Sannat Lions.

Oratory are five points ahead of second-bottom SK Victoria Wanderers but not yet sure of avoiding the relegation play-off.

Sannat are still without a win.

Division Two

Munxar Falcons failed to join Għajnsielem at the top of the Division Two standings in their penultimate match of the campaign after suffering a 1-0 defeat to third-placed Xagħra United.

With this win, Xagħra United kept alive their hopes of finishing in the runners-up position at the expense of the same Munxar Falcons which means a place in the promotion play-off at the end of the season.

Aleandro Bezzina hit Xagħra’s winner on 52 minutes.

In the other match from the lower division in Gozo, Żebbuġ Rovers dropped out of contention for third place after losing 1-0 to Qala Saints.

An own goal by Alex Tramboo, on 18 minutes, decided the issue in favour of Qala as the Rovers had three players sent off, Matthion Formosa (73), Jean Paul Saliba (89) and Samuel Muscat (after the final whistle).

Qala’s Nathan Portelli was red-carded in the late stages.

Division One

  P W D L F A Pts
Xewkija T. 16 13 2 1 48 14 41
Nadur Y. 16 13 1 2 40 11 40
Victoria H. 16 6 3 7 31 28 21
Kerċem Ajax 16 6 2 8 26 30 20
Oratory Y. 16 5 5 6 24 33 20
St Lawrence 16 4 4 8 24 43 16
SK Victoria W. 16 4 3 9 19 28 15
Sannat L. 16 0 6 10 9 34 6

Division Two

  P W D L F A Pts
Għajnsielem 18 11 3 4 33 19 36
Munxar F. 19 10 3 6 27 26 33
Xagħra Utd 19 8 6 5 28 23 30
Żebbuġ R. 18 6 4 8 34 32 22
Qala Saints 18 5 3 10 21 35 18
Għarb R. 18 4 3 11 22 30 15

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