In the only match from the GFA Division One league last weekend, leaders Kerċem Ajax and champions Xewkija Tigers figured in a one-all draw at the Sannat Ground.

Kerċem are two points ahead of Nadur in the standings but the latter have a game in hand.

Kerċem would have opened a four-point gap at the top had they beaten Xewkija but the leaders will probably consider this a point won rather than two lost, given that they had to play the entire second half with ten men.

They dictated matters in the opening stages, taking a deserved lead on eight minutes when a Jean Paul Mizzi shot from the distance surprised the Tigers goalkeeper.

Kerċem retained the initiative but on 24 minutes Xewkija levelled matters from a penalty, awarded after a foul by Kyumyurdzhiev on Dene Shields. The latter made no mistake from the spot.

In first-half stoppage time Kerċem were dealt another blow as they were reduced to 10 players when Stoyko Sakaliev was sent off for protests.

Xewkija saw more of the ball in the second half but found it difficult to create chances.

The Tigers were also denied by Kerċem goalkeeper Donald Gauci who made crucial saves from efforts by Scottish striker Shields.

Division Two

Għajnsielem beat St Lawrence Spurs 3-2 in a Division Two match to go second in the standings.

The Blacks were twice in the lead, thanks to goals from Joseph Attard (23) and a penalty by Charlon Tabone (30).

However, the Spurs cancelled out the deficit through goals by Derick Borg (27) and Jonathan Micallef (60).

Tabone scored the goal that decided the issue in favour of Għajnsielem six minutes from time.

In the closing stages, St Lawrence had Franklin Grima sent off for a foul just outside the area.

In another match, Qala Saints registered their second win after beating Gharb Rangers 1-0.

The Maroons lifted themselves off the bottom with an 87th-minute goal by Mario Mifsud.

Monthly award for Nadur defender

Nadur Youngsters defender Saviour Attard is the first winner of the GFA BOV Player of the Month award which has been relaunched after a lapse of several years. In fact, this award was last staged in season 2001-02.

Attard’s positive displays in the first weeks of the season helped Nadur claim the Independence Cup besides climbing to the top positions in the league standings.

Jack Theuma, BOV Gozo Branch manager, presented the trophy to Attard who chose the Arka Foundation as beneficiary of the donation related to the award.