Victoria Hotspurs are the new leaders of the Gozo FA Division One championship after a hard-earned win over derby rivals SK Victoria Wanderers.
The Hotspurs have nine points from four matches, two ahead of Għajnsielem and Xewkija Tigers. T
The Blacks, however, have a game in hand.
In last weekend’s game, the Hotspurs had two chances to open the scoring in the first half but Miguel Montano and newcomer William Barbosa failed to hit the target. The Wanderers had an Ajibade Adesina effort that was cleared away in time by the Hotspurs defence.
The Wanderers enjoyed territorial supremacy after the break but the Hotspurs never gave away an inch.
With two minutes remaining, the Hotspurs struck the winner. They were awarded a penalty for a foul on Montano and the Colombian striker scored from the spot.
The Hotspurs finished the match with nine players after Jason Pace and Josef Buttigieg were sent off but there was no time left for the Wanderers to stage a comeback.
In another attractive fixture, Kerċem Ajax had the better of champions Xewkija in a thrilling match to confirm their potential to challenge for honours this season.
Kerċem moved into a deserved two-goal lead early in the match following goals from Claudio Antunes (7) and Malcolm Vella (16).
Xewkija suffered another setback on 33 minutes when John Camilleri was dismissed for a last-man foul but they still managed to produce a strong reaction after the break, levelling matters thanks to a quick Daniel Bogdanovic brace.
Kerċem regained their composure and Antunes put them back in front on the hour as Xewkija were left to rue their ill-luck late on as Thierry Taze-meta’s penalty was stopped by goalkeeper Adrian Parnis.
In stoppage time, Kerċem had Elton Vella sent off for a second yellow card.
In a match between two sides still without a point, Oratory Youths beat St Lawrence Spurs 2-0.
Oratory took the lead on 12 minutes through Manwel Cordina. They could have increased their lead before half-time but Anderson Ribeiro’s effort came off the post.
On 55 minutes, Oratory’s Javier Polo Longarela was dismissed for a second bookable offence but they made sure of the points on 74 minutes when Andre Azzopardi curled his free-kick past the Saints’ wall and into the net.
Division Two
Xagħra United consolidated top spot in Division Two following a 1-0 win over Sannat Lions.
Sannat saw more of the ball but the Blues scored the only goal of the match from a free-kick taken by Marlon Mamo on 57 minutes.
Qala Saints came from a goal down to beat Żebbuġ Rovers 2-1 and move on the six-point mark.
Frank Attard (32) fired the Rovers ahead but Qala scored twice through Manuel Buttigieg (34) and Dylan Bellotti (82) to turn the tide in their favour.
In another match, Munxar Falcons failed to profit from Sannat’s upset to Xagħra as they were held to a goalless draw by Għarb Rangers.
Division One
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Victoria H. | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 9 |
| Għajnsielem | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 7 |
| Xewkija | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Kerċem A. | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Oratory | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| SK Victoria W. | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
| St Lawrence | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
Division Two
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
| Xagħra Utd | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| Sannat Lions | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Qala Saints | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Nadur Y. | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Munxar | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 5 |
| Għarb R. | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Żebbuġ | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 0 |