The 2012/13 GFA Division One championship kicked off last weekend with Xagħra United highlighting their status as title contenders with a 2-1 win over champions Xewkija Tigers.

Xagħra were inspired by new signings Chris and John Camilleri who were facing their former team-mates for the first time since their transfer in the summer.

This was a match to forget for Xewkija, especially their performance in the first half. They staged a determined reaction after the break but their effort was not enough to salvage the game.

Xagħra opened the scoring on 14 minutes with a Joseph Vella goal. They doubled their lead just before half-time through John Camilleri.

Xewkija did improve after the break and were unlucky not to pull one back on 71 minutes when a Martin Hrubsa piledriver hit the bar.

The Tigers got back into contention a minute later when Dene Shields blasted home from a free-kick.

But, Xagħra protected their lead despite finishing the match with ten men after John Camilleri marred his day with a red card following a foul on Xewkija keeper Joseph Grima in stoppage time.

In another match, Victoria Hotspurs and Sannat Lions figured in a 2-2 draw.

Play was balanced for most of the first half but the Hotspurs had the better of the exchanges after the half-time break to take the lead with a Mirko Pekez tap-in following a fine move by Uchenna Anyanwu.

Sannat hit back strongly. They levelled on 71 minutes when Sunday Baala scored with a fine volley and eight minutes from time, Ernest Qordja put the Lions ahead with a well-hit free-kick.

Manwel Cordina could have dashed the Citizens’ hopes late on but hit high from an ideal position. And the Lions were punished for that miss as, in the fourth minute of added time, Pekez headed home the equaliser.

Day one of the championship was completed on Tuesday when newly-promoted Kerċem Ajax registered a surprise 1-0 win over the more-quoted Nadur Youngsters.

Kerċem had a cautious start to the match but as time passed, they started to enjoy more possession and also scored the goal that mattered five minutes from half-time.

Stoyko Sakaliev found the net with a shot from outside the box.

Nadur’s reaction was rather weak and Kerċem went close to scoring on more than one occasion, particularly through attempts by Sakaliev and Malcolm Vella. However, their efforts were neutralised by keeper Mark Grima.

First honour

Nadur Youngsters won the 32nd edition of the Independence Cup with a close 1-0 win over SK Victoria Wanderers.

This was the 11th time that the Youngsters won this competition which practically opens the football season on the sister island.

Nadur had progressed to the final after victories over Xagħra United and Xewkija Tigers while the Wanderers eliminated derby rivals Victoria Hotspurs and Kerċem Ajax.

Nadur scored what proved to be the winner on 11 minutes when Victoria keeper Franklin Vella failed to hold a cross by Joseph Portelli and from the loose ball, Anthony Portelli netted from close distance.

All Blacks win

Għajnsielem won the GFA Division Two KO competition following a 2-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs in the final.

The Blacks showed their true mettle after the break and goals from Kenny Hili (59) and Joseph Attard (64) tilted the balance in their favour.