Xewkija Tigers secured the GFA Division One championship last weekend after a 5-2 win over Nadur Youngsters gave them an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
The Tigers showed their prowess after recovering from a difficult start, going on to seal victory at the expense of their fierce rivals in front of another bumper crowd.
This is Xewkija’s second title in three years and sixth overall.
They have been the most consistent side in the championship even though they had to be alert all the time to see off the challenges that came from different quarters as no fewer than four teams were, at one time or another, involved in the title race.
In the end, the Tigers made good use of their mix of experienced and talented players, led by coach Raymond Vella, to prevail in almost all direct clashes.
On Sunday, Nadur opened the scoring on 32 minutes. Elton Da Silva released Brandon Said who turned past Ferdinando Apap inside the box before placing the ball behind James Mercieca, the former Melita keeper who was making his first appearance in Gozitan football.
Xewkija levelled the score five minutes later through Apap and took the lead soon after the restart thanks to Chris Camilleri who hit home from a Gilbert Agius centre.
Nadur produced an immediate reaction and their efforts were rewarded on 53 minutes when Da Silva curled the ball home from a free-kick.
The Youngsters surged forward in attack as no result other than victory suited their cause.
However, it was Xewkija who regained the lead on 71 minutes through an excellent strike by Dene Shields who fired into the top corner of the net after receiving a low pass from Jason Portelli.
Nadur were shocked and on 79 minutes Frankie Camilleri floored Agius in the box and the referee awarded the Tigers a penalty before red-carding Camilleri.
Shields converted from the spot to make it 4-2 and consolidate his position at the top of the scorers’ list with 17 goals.
The numerous Xewkija fans in the stands were already partying when veteran Agius hit home from an angle following a fast break by John Camilleri.
The other matches from the top flight involved two relegation strugglers.
Xagħra United have been relegated after managing just one point from their matches against Oratory Youths and Kerċem Ajax.
In their first match, Xagħra nosed ahead on 52 minutes through Frank Attard but their hopes were dashed in stoppage time when substitute Orlando Atzori profited from a goalmouth melee to equalise for Oratory.
Xagħra then crashed to a heavy 4-1 defeat to Kerċem Ajax.
Rendell Refalo put Xagħra ahead from a direct free-kick on 20 minutes but Kerċem took control as the game progressed. They turned the result in their favour with a hat-trick by Andrew Mizzi (37, 44, 69).
Xagħra were reduced to 10 players after Arthur Farrugia was sent off on 52 minutes for an off-the-ball incident. Kerċem struck their fourth goal on 71 minutes thanks to Keith Bonello.
Munxar Falcons took advantage of Xagħra’s struggles to earn a 3-2 win over Oratory Youths to move five points clear of the bottom team.
Munxar are not safe yet as they will have to defend their Division One status in a play-off against the runner-up in the second division.
The match between Oratory and Munxar was well-contested.
Oratory took an early lead through Oliver Farrugia (5) but Munxar levelled before half-time thanks to a Joseph Grima penalty (35).
The Youths restored the lead with a goal by Francesco Cini (54) but the Falcons kept insisting. Gabriel Sillato (69) made it 2-2 and Oliver Curmi concluded a fast break five minutes from time to hand Munxar a vital win.
Division Two
Għajnsielem are back in the promotion hunt after a 6-1 win over Żebbuġ Rovers.
The Blacks scored three goals in each half through Milan Markovic (15, 33, 64), Joseph Attard (28), Damon Hili (58) and David Debattista (67).
Żebbuġ’s consolation goal came from a Pedro Adame Calderon penalty on 85 minutes.
Qala Saints beat Għarb Rangers 3-1 to keep alive their hopes of avoiding bottom spot.
Qala broke the deadlock on 33 minutes through Alan Cini but Għarb’s Michael Matthias Uzor levelled matters on 58 minutes.
The Saints succeeded in halting their losing run with late goals by Cini (75) and Christoph Caruana (80).