Four teams completed their second round commitments in the GFA Division One last weekend at the Sannat Ground in very difficult weather conditions. Ghajnsielem registered a comfortable 6-2 victory over Xaghra United to regain sole leadership. In the other match, Victoria Hotspurs beat bottom-placed Qala St Joseph to move away from the relegation zone.
Ghajnsielem 6
Xaghra United 2
Ghajnsielem maintained their superb form to cruise to another convincing victory, this time at the expense of Xaghra United.
The Blacks are now two points ahead of nearest rivals Nadur, their opponents in Sunday's big clash.
Relegation-haunted Xaghra opened the scoring early on thanks to Joseph Mercieca's low drive.
Four minutes later it was 1-1 when Ghajnsielem were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ihbeulu. Errol Grima converted from the spot.
Ghajnsielem were awarded a second penalty after 21 minutes, this time for a foul on Mercieca. Grima scored once again to put his side in the lead.
The score became 3-1 in the 37th minute with a Joseph Attard goal following a pass by Lautier.
Xaghra United started the second period on the offensive and reduced the arrears in the 53rd minute through John Camilleri.
However, Ghajnsielem restored the two-goal leeway four minutes later with an Aloysius Ihbeulu goal.
Xaghra were a demoralised lot now as the Blacks scored two other goals through Ihbeulu and Grima, who notched his hat-trick with 13 minutes to go.
Referee: Anton Zammit.
Victoria Hotspurs 2
Qala St Joseph 1
This was a direct encounter between two teams in serious relegation trouble.
In the end, the Hotspurs obtained three precious points as they climbed out of the red zone in the standings, leaving Xaghra in deep trouble.
The match was marked by controversy as the decisive goal was scored when two balls were on the pitch. In fact, while Victoria newcomer John Camilleri, formerly of Victoria Wanderers, was shooting home the winner, another ball was thrown on the field of play from behind the fence. Qala protested vehemently with the referee but the goal was allowed.
Qala dictated matters for long stretches during the first period. They broke the deadlock in the 10th minute through Joseph Grech, who took a rebound from the goalkeeper. But, the Saints were reduced to ten players soon after when Joe Xerri was sent off for two consecutive bookable offences.
Qala could have increased their lead in the 53rd minute though, only for Jeremy Camilleri to conclude badly from a good position.
In the 64th minute Victoria's Chris Debrincat made it one-all from a corner action and 12 minutes later a fine effort from substitute Mizzi came off the Qala upright.
The Hotspurs scored the winner in strange circumstances, already described, in the 80th minute when Camilleri hit home from outside the area. Qala's complaints proved futile.
Referee: Reno Refalo.
Sprite Division II
Sannat Lions are back at the summit of Division Two after a hard-earned win over lowly St Lawrence Spurs.
The woodwork twice denied Sannat a goal and Mutalib squandered a penalty after shooting high from the spot. The goal that mattered came just before the break through Mark Formosa.