Title contenders Xewkija Tigers and Xagħra United recovered from upsets in their previous outings with identical 2-0 wins over relegation strugglers Victoria Hotspurs and Għajnsielem respectively last weekend.

Xewkija heaped more misery on bottom-placed Għajnsielem, still without a win after seven matches.

The Tigers secured their win with two goals in the second half.

The match was balanced during the first period, Xewkija going close through attempts by John Camilleri and Rodney Buttigieg. The Blacks were well-deployed and created two good scoring opportunities through Rivellino Petriaggi.

Xewkija finally broke the deadlock on 53 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a foul by Patrick Camilleri on Buttigieg.

Chris Camilleri made no mistake from the spot.

Għajnsielem tried to hit back and their hopes received a boost when Xewkija were reduced to 10 players on 68 minutes after John Camilleri was sent off for a second bookable offence.

However, the Blacks only went close to scoring on one occasion through a header by Charlon Tabone which ended wide.

Xewkija eventually sealed their victory with a second goal scored in the third minute of stoppage time by substitute Mark Camilleri.

Xagħra United moved to a safer mid-table position after beating the Hotspurs.

However, the Blues had to work hard for the points despite playing with a player more for more than an hour following a red card to Shaun Attard.

Xagħra keeper Matthew Vella did well to deny the Hotspurs following attempts by Daniel Farrugia and Ryan Grech and, at the other end, Thiago dos Santos and Ejo Nkwocha failed to score from favourable positions.

On 68 minutes, Xagħra were awarded a penalty when Dos Santos was floored in the box by keeper Mark Grima. The Brazilian striker picked himself up to score from the spot.

The 10-man Hotspurs found it hard to pose a threat to their opponents’ goal as Xagħra made sure of victory when Dos Santos scored his second goal in the dying stages.

Division One