In the main fixture from the ninth day of the GFA Division One championship, Nadur Youngsters obtained a remarkable 3-2 win over Xewkija Tigers after playing for most of the match with nine players.

Nadur opened a seven-point gap over third-placed Xewkija and increased their lead over nearest pursuers Kerċem Ajax to four points as the latter could not go beyond a goalless draw against bottom-placed Sannat Lions.

Kerċem also ended the match on a negative note as they had Petar Kyumyurdzhiev sent off deep into stoppage time for a second booking.

Xewkija were all out to lower Nadur’s colours and got more wind in their sails on 16 minutes when Milos Stojanovic was sent off for his part in an off-the-ball incident.

However, the Tigers did not profit and on 20 minutes the Youngsters opened the score from a penalty, awarded for a foul on Anthony Portelli and converted by the same player.

Xewkija were stunned but soon regained their composure and on 31 minutes Rodney Buttigieg placed in goal from a loose ball after a Dene Shields free-kick was partially saved by the Nadur goalkeeper.

Thiago dos Santos and Mark Camilleri had good chances to put Xewkija ahead but on 58 minutes it was Nadur who regained the lead with a fine Claudio Antunes header from a corner.

On the hour mark, the Youngsters ended with nine players as Charles Hili was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Strangely, the Youngsters still looked the more likely side to score and they went on to increase their lead with another Antunes goal.

Dos Santos pulled one back for Xewkija whose hopes were dashed when Mark Camilleri was sent off late in the match.

Also last weekend, Victoria Hotspurs obtained a 2-1 win over Xagħra United to join them on the nine-point mark in the standings.

This was Xagħra’s fourth consecutive defeat. They saw more of the ball early on but attempts by John Camilleri and Chris Camilleri were stopped by Hotspurs’ keeper George Vella.

The Citizens opened the score on 64 minutes through Jonathan Onyoha but John Camilleri levelled matters with 10 minutes left.

Xagħra doubled their efforts to grab a second goal but left their defence unprotected and got punished when substitute Aleandro Bezzina profited from an indecision to place the ball inside the Blues’ net.

Division Two

Munxar Falcons registered a 4-1 win over Għajnsielem to consolidate their second spot in the table.

Mario Azzopardi put the Falcons ahead with an early penalty goal and two strikes from substitute Clayton Hili and another goal from Paul Anthony Attard late on made it 4-0.

Substitute Darren Azzopardi made the score look slightly more respectable four minutes from time with a goal for the Blacks.

In another match, Qala Saints and St Lawrence Spurs shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

St Lawrence opened a two-goal lead through Laurent Pisani (21) and Franklyn Grima (50). However, the Maroons staged a determined fightback and saved the result with goals by Shaun Muscat (65) and Manuel Buttigieg (84).

Nadur’s Claudio Antunes defending possession from Thiago dos Santos, of Xewkija, at the Gozo Stadium. Photo: Joseph Mercieca