Xewkija Tigers chalked up their second consecutive win in the second round of the GFA Division One championship after beating Nadur Youngsters 2-0 to join the erstwhile sole leaders at the top of the standings on 19 points.
This clash was the top fixture on the sister island as Nadur were aiming for a positive result to consolidate top position but, on the day, they had to reckon with Xewkija who were highly-charged after their victory over Għajnsielem.
Nadur saw more of the ball and could have opened the scoring through Dewide Dos Santos and Claudio Antunes.
However, 20 minutes from time, they had Josef Buttigieg sent off for a second bookable offence.
Xewkija took advantage of the extra player to forge ahead through Gennaro Hili.
Nadur were shell-shocked and Xewkija made sure of victory deep into stoppage time thanks to Dene Shields who poked the ball home after keeper Mark Grima had half-parried Thiago Melo Dos Santos’s shot following a quick break.
Għajnsielem recovered from two consecutive defeats with a convincing 3-0 win over SK Victoria Wanderers.
The Wanderers shared play with their opponents in the first half but the Blacks took control after the break, scoring the three times without reply. Their goals came from Damon Hili (52) and Chris Camilleri (62, 71).
On 63 minutes, SK’s Chris Sciortino was red-carded for a second booking.
Kerċem Ajax were held to a goalless draw by Victoria Hotspurs to stay fourth in the standings, three points behind the joint-leaders.
Victory could have gone either way with both teams creating a number of scoring chances.
The Hotspurs had a Moussa Bamba goal disallowed for offside just before half-time as the Ajax finished the game with 10 men following a red card to Mario Mifsud in the late stages.
In another match from the top flight, Oratory Youths and Xagħra United were also involved in a goalless draw.
This match was played in difficult conditions due to heavy rain with offensive play almost non-existent and goalmouth action very rare.
This was Xagħra’s second positive result on the trot but they’re still rock bottom and the only side without a win this season.
Division Two
St Lawrence Spurs and Sannat Lions joined the race for promotion following crucial wins in the championship.
The Spurs inflicted the first defeat on leaders Għarb Rangers with the only goal of the match scored by Mohammed Senussi Telessi five minutes from time.
Sannat joined Rangers at the top on 14 points following a 2-1 win over Qala Saints. St Lawrence are one point behind when all teams have now played seven matches.
Sannat broke the deadlock through Ajibade Adesina.
On 35 minutes, Qala had Gabriel Sillato sent off for stopping a scoring opportunity.
The Lions doubled their lead three minutes later through Sunday Baala.
Qala produced a strong reaction but only succeeded in halving the deficit from a Kevin Kacoli penalty 14 minutes from time.
This was Qala’s second defeat in a week as, a couple of days earlier, they were beaten 3-1 by Żebbuġ Rovers.
The Rovers, however, failed to carry their momentum into their next match as they suffered a shock 5-3 upset to bottom team Munxar Falcons.
Michael Mattias Uzor grabbed a hat-trick with the other goals coming from Ryan Meilak and Jordi Parnis as Munxar registered their first win of the season.
Ikechukwu Igwemeke scored twice and Josef DeBrincat was also on the mark for Żebbuġ but their efforts were not enough on the day.