Xewkija Tigers remained in com-mand of the GFA Division One standings last weekend after a one-all draw against second-placed SK Victoria Wanderers.

Xewkija remained five points clear of the Wanderers who were joined in second place by Nadur Youngsters. The champions beat Victoria Hotpurs 2-0 to move on the 35-point mark.

The championship issue could be decided this weekend if Xewkija beat the Hotspurs and the clash between Nadur and the Wanderers ends in a draw.

No other result suited the Wanderers other than victory on Sunday but it was Xewkija who made the more auspicious start. They opened the scoring on 10 minutes through veteran Gilbert Agius who fired home after meeting John Camilleri’s centre inside the box.

The Wanderers regrouped after a difficult start and Daniel Bogdanovic protested for a penalty following a tackle by Adrian Parnis, the Tigers goalkeeper, inside the box.

Xewkija’s defence was solid all the way. Goalmouth action was at a premium but on one occasion, Bogdanovic found a way through only to see his grounder stopped by Parnis.

On resumption, the Wanderers doubled their efforts but Parnis was rarely called into action as Xewkija continued to defend well.

The Tigers enjoyed their best patch midway through the second half with Camilleri going close to making it 2-0 on a couple of occasions.

SK Victoria goalkeeper Simon Agius kept his side in contention with a fine save from Dene Shields.

Xewkija suffered a setback 16 minutes from time when they ended with 10 players after goalkeeper Parnis was red-carded for an off-the-ball clash with substitute Eric Nwankwo.

Victoria, however, continued to find it difficult to carve openings and only tested stand-in keeper Lorjean Xuereb through shots from the distance by Bogdanovic and Nwankwo.

The Wanderers did manage to avoid defeat deep into stoppage time when Bogdanovic scored from an angle following Ajibade Adesina’s cross.

In the other match, Nadur kept their flickering title hopes alive with victory over Victoria Hotspurs, the bottom team in the Championship Pool.

Nadur had no fewer than four players missing due to suspension. However, they still created more scoring opportunities and deservedly returned home with victory in their bags.

Elton Da Silva was unlucky on 31 minutes when his strike hit the Hotspurs’ woodwork.

Victoria Hotspurs looked a better team after the break and had a good shot by Glenn Bonello that came off the Nadur goal frame.

On 62 minutes Da Silva put Nadur in front after pouncing on a loose ball following a shot by Brandon Said.

The Hotspurs tried to hit back and went close to an equaliser on more than one occasion, particularly through the efforts of Bonello, substitute Dylan Bellotti and Saturday Nanapere.

But Nadur sealed victory late on with a second goal scored by Said to prolong their interest in the championship by, at least, another week.

Attard heeds Xewkija’s call

Former Senglea Athletics goalkeeper George Attard is expected to come out of retirement to join Xewkija Tigers until the end of the season.

The Tigers have been looking to sign an out-of-contract goalkeeper to deputise for Parnis who was handed a two-match ban after his sending-off against SK Victoria Wanderers last weekend.

The 44-year-old Attard, whose brother Lawrence, the former Hibs and Malta defender, played for Xewkija during his career, was set to sign yesterday.

Division One

Division Two