Nadur Youngsters obtained one of the biggest wins in the Gozitan league for many a year after they thrashed bottom-placed Xagħra United 11-1 to maintain their march at the top of the standings.
Xagħra’s Mark Buhagiar committed an own goal early on following an Alex Simoncic free-kick. Simoncic doubled the score on 17 minutes before Xagħra reduced the arrears through Chidi Achokwu.
However, on 39 minutes Buhagiar headed into his own net in an attempt to clear another shot by Simoncic.
This was not Xagħra’s day as the woodwork denied them following an attempt by Arthur Farrugia and to make it worse for the Blues, another own goal, this time committed by skipper Joseph Bartolo, saw Nadur going in for the break 4-1 ahead.
The match was practically decided but Nadur kept pushing for more goals, scoring seven more through Saviour Attard (49), Anthony Portelli (55), Joseph Portelli (57, 89), Brandon Said (75), Adrian Pulis (78) and a penalty by Milos Stojanovic (85).
Nadur maintain their four-point lead over Xewkija Tigers and SK Victoria Wanderers.
The Tigers beat Victoria Hotspurs 4-1 despite playing without the suspended Dene Shields and Gilbert Agius.
The Hotspurs opened the scoring through Warren Chircop but Xewkija levelled matters on 38 minutes with an Alex Tramboo own goal.
Just before the break, Kenneth Mercieca made it 2-1 and on 55 minutes the Hotspurs suffered another setback when substitute goalkeeper Courtney Mercieca floored Kenneth Mercieca in the box.
The referee awarded Xewkija a penalty and Mercieca was sent off.
Outfield player Michael Bezzina took the keeper’s role and Jason Portelli converted from the spot to make it 3-1.
Xewkija sealed victory on 89 minutes with a Christian Bugeja goal following a fast break.
The Wanderers had to labour for a 2-1 win over Oratory Youths who opened the scoring on 19 minutes through Shaun Attard.
Peter Anizoba hit the Oratory post but the Wanderers equalised on 22 minutes with a shot from the distance by Ejofor Nkwocha.
Oratory gave the Wanderers a torrid time in defence and were unlucky on 57 minutes when a shot by Antoine Camilleri hit the post.
However, on 76 minutes the Wanderers went ahead against the run of play when Anizoba rammed home from a cross by Joseph Vella.
Kerċem Ajax are still in the hunt for fourth place following a narrow 1-0 win over Munxar Falcons.
Munxar almost surprised Ker-ċem when a header by Oliver Curmi hit the post. Kerċem also had a Keith Bonello attempt crashing against the upright and on 57 minutes a shot by Joseph Chetcuti was stopped by the bar.
Kerċem scored the goal that mattered on 69 minutes through a low shot by Chetcuti.
Division Two
Għajnsielem consolidated their lead at the top with a 4-1 win over second-placed Sannat Lions.
The Blacks made the most of the scoring opportunities that came their way with Charlon Tabone’s brace giving them a 2-0 lead before half-time.
Kenny Hili made it 3-0 on 51 minutes before Sannat reduced the deficit with a Fernando de Andrade goal. Tabone sealed victory in stoppage time to round up his hat-trick.
In midweek, Għajnsielem trou-nced Żebbuġ 7-0 with Tabone scoring a hat-trick.
In another match last weekend, the bottom two in the table – Għarb Rangers and Żebbuġ Rovers – figured in a one-all stalemate.
Rovers took the lead through Sylvan Galea but Għarb hit back stron-gly after the break and equalised from a Daniel Portelli free-kick.