Victoria Hotspurs 1
Xaghra United 0

Victoria Hotspurs obtained a dramatic victory over Xaghra United to go two points clear of Nadur Youngsters at the top of the standings.

This was a hard-earned success for the Hotspurs as Xaghra produced the better football and created more scoring opportunities. However, Victoria striker Ricardo Saverino profited from an indecision inside the Xaghra half in the dying minutes to score the goal that mattered.

Xaghra were clearly determined not to finish empty-handed from this match. They had the better of the early exchanges, going close to scoring from set-pieces by Leandro Blanco de Castro. Mark Buhagiar hit badly from an ideal position and Victoria keeper Mark Grima was alert to stop Abdul Mutalib's attempt at goal.

Victoria continued to find it difficult to impose their play and the only time they had a sniff of Xaghra's goal was when Jason Portelli's shot from the distance finished off target.

With the match destined to finish goalless, the Hotspurs struck the decisive goal one minute from time.

Saverino entered the Xaghra box from the right before hitting the ball past keeper Donald Gauci.

In stoppage time, Xaghra had Josef Galea sent off for retaliation.

Referee: Joe Agius.

Qala St Joseph 1
Sannat Lions 2

Sannat Lions turned defeat into victory against Qala St Joseph to stay in touch with the front-runners in the standings. This was a close but deserved victory for the Lions who saw more of the ball and escaped unscathed from a tricky situation.

Qala held tight in the opening half to keep their opponents at bay. After the break, the Lions increased their pressure and in the 62nd minute Aktpan saved his goal with the aid of the woodwork following a fine header by Fernando de Andrade.

The Lions were punished for a series of missed chances as the Saints opened the score 20 minutes from time when Dione Lautier concluded a fine move by Manwel Cordina.

Lautier then had a shot finishing just wide but Sannat fought back and levelled the score in the 88th minute with a de Andrade tap-in following a Mark Muscat pass.

Kenneth Mercieca was unlucky for Sannat when his shot hit the post.

However, the Lions turned the tide in their favour deep into stoppage time with a superb goal by substitute Sabri Rais.

Referee: Esther Farrugia.

Ghajnsielem 3
Kercem Ajax 2

Ghajnsielem kept their slender title hopes alive with a 3-2 victory over relegation-troubled Kercem.

The Blacks made an excellent start, going ahead after only 50 seconds following a shot from the distance by Joseph Buttigieg.

But the Ajax had an immediate reaction and levelled the score on nine minutes through Milos Stojanovic who beat keeper Victor Agius with a low shot.

Kercem's Manwel Tabone almost put his team ahead but Ghajnsielem regained the lead on 19 minutes with an excellent strike by Domnik Okanu.

Kercem lost their way and it had to be their goalkeeper, Courtney Mercieca, who kept them in contention with fine saves on attempts by Brian Meilak and John Camilleri.

On 36 minutes, however, Mercieca was beaten again, this time when John Camilleri hit home from an angled position.

Kercem tried to re-open the issue after the break and were unlucky when a header by Mario Azzopardi hit the crossbar.

The Ajax did reduce the arrears on 56 minutes, with another Stojanovic goal, and went close to levelling matters on various occasions but Ghajnsielem held on for three useful points.

Referee: Sammy Attard.

Division Two

Xewkija Tigers beat St Lawrence Spurs for the second time this season to assume sole leadership.

The Tigers opened the score in the 17th minute through Christian Bugeja and fumbled other opportunities to widen their margin.

The Saints found it difficult to carve openings and Xewkija doubled the score and made sure of victory with a goal by Joseph Azzopardi in the 89th minute.