Xewkija Tigers beat 10-man Nadur Youngsters 2-0 in last weekend’s top-of-the-table clash to open a three-point lead at the top of the standings.
Played in front of a large crowd at the Gozo Stadium, the match lived up to expectations with Nadur playing their hearts out despite having a man sent off just before half-time.
Xewkija had the better chances during the first half, mainly through Mark Camilleri and Rodney Buttigieg as Nadur’s chief striker, Claudio Antunes, was tightly marked by the opposing defenders.
Nadur suffered a setback on 39 minutes when Joseph Vella was dismissed for an off-the-ball incident.
The shell-shocked Youngsters did their best to contain Xewkija but it was to no avail.
On the hour mark, a Mark Camilleri header rattled the Nadur bar but four minutes later he broke the deadlock when flicking the ball behind keeper Victor Agius following a Chris Camilleri screamer from outside the box.
Nadur’s best chance to level matters arrived 10 minutes from time when two consecutive Milos Stojanovic attempts were blocked.
Xewkija made sure of the points with an 84th-minute goal when a low cross by Buttigieg fell to the unmarked Chris Camilleri who fired home.
In another match, Xagħra United practically secured their top-flight status with a round of matches still to go following a 1-0 win over Sannat Lions.
The decisive goal was scored by Michael Bezzina inside the opening minute.
The basement clash between Victoria Hotspurs and Għajnsielem ended in a 2-2 draw that left both sides embroiled in relegation trouble.
The Blacks took an early lead thanks to a Joseph Attard goal but the Hotspurs made a strong reaction to draw level on 32 minutes through Oliver Farrugia.
It was end-to-end stuff after the break with Għajnsielem regaining the lead on 68 minutes with a Portelli goal.
The Blacks should have secured victory when the referee awarded them a penalty for a foul by substitute Jason Pace on Jurgen Tashi but Charlon Tabone’s spot-kick was saved by keeper Mark Grima.
Għajnsielem were punished for their missed chance as the Hotspurs clinched a dramatic equaliser two minutes from time when Julius Emanche scored from a corner.
Division Two
In the first matches from the third round of the Division Two league, Kerċem Ajax closed in on the title with two successive wins against Qala Saints and Munxar Falcons.
The Ajax annihiliated Qala 7-1 with a brace each from Malcolm Vella and Alvin Grech and other goals from Frankie Camilleri, Leonard Camilleri and Sabri Rais. Denis Abela scored Qala’s consolation from a penalty.
Kerċem maintained their march with a 3-1 win over Munxar. Goals from Grech, from a penalty, and Michael Vella gave Kerċem a 2-0 half-time lead.
The Ajax were reduced to 10 players on 53 minutes when Karol Mifsud was sent off for violent conduct. Munxar re-opened the issue with a Mario Azzopardi penalty but the leaders sealed the issue in the closing stages through Leonard Camilleri.
Kerċem, however, ended the match with nine players after Malcolm Vella was red-carded for a second caution deep into stoppage time.