Xaghra United 2
Nadur Youngsters 2

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Xaghra United produced a very positive performance to give a hard time to leaders Nadur Youngsters as the end-result clearly indicates.

The two teams experienced different fortunes in their previous outings - Nadur had obtained a convincing victory against Ghajnsielem, while Xaghra United went down to relegation strugglers Qala St Joseph.

However, their reverse against Qala seemed to increase Xaghra's determination to hit back as they capitalised on Nadur's over-confidence.

Xaghra were the more aggressive side early on. In the 12th minute, a free-kick by Krasten Krastev hit the post.

Nadur replied with a good shot by Anthony Portelli that was also stopped by the woodwork.

Midway through the first half, Xaghra opened the scoring through Krastev following a personal move.

The Youngsters wasted a golden opportunity to level the scores in the 39th minute. They were awarded a penalty for a handsball by Bartolo but Portelli was again denied by the crossbar.

Seconds from the end of the first half, Maczerob Okoro equalised for Nadur following a swift counter-attack.

Nadur saw more of the ball after the change of ends, threatening to surge ahead through efforts by Okoro and Cauchi.

However, it was Xaghra who regained the lead in the 76th minute when John Camilleri was on the end of an effective counter-thrust to beat Nadur goalkeeper Vella.

Xaghra's goal prompted Nadur to double their efforts, an Okoro effort ending just wide.

Ten minutes from time, Nadur were back on level terms with a tap-in by Brian Portelli after the ball was deflected in his direction by Okoro from a corner action.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Ghajnsielem 3
Xewkija Tigers 4

This was undoubtedly the most exciting match of the weekend. Both Ghajnsielem and Xewkija Tigers needed the three points to remain in touch with leaders Nadur Youngsters.

In the end, it was Xewkija who had the last laugh as they recorded their fourth consecutive victory while Ghajnsielem suffered the second defeat in a row.

With the three points obtained, Xewkija joined Ghajnsielem in second place in the Division One table.

A direct free-kick by Sabri Rais after 11 minutes gave Xewkija a perfect start but Ghajnsielem's reaction was immediate. Aloysius Ihbeulu was on mark to restore equilibrium.

Play continued to be very balanced and in the 36th minute, Xewkija were given a penalty for a foul by Attard on Jeffrey Farrugia. Jason Portelli made it 2-1 from the spot.

The score became 2-2 a minute from half-time with another goal by Ihbeulu who fired past Debono from an angled position.

The drama continued after the restart as Xewkija were soon back in the driving seat thanks to an own goal by Errol Grima.

Ghajnsielem were stunned and in the 49th minute, Xewkija's Farrugia spotted goalie Attard out of position and lobbed the ball into the net to increase his side's lead.

The Tigers could have added to their tally minutes later but Eric Saliba's header ended just over the crossbar.

In the 58th minute, Ghajnsielem re-opened the issue when they reduced the arrears with a bizarre goal. An innocuous pass by Tarik Belhaj was fumbled by goalkeeper Debono with the ball rolling gently into the net.

Until the end, Ghajnsielem tried to grab an equaliser but Xewkija defended well their one-goal lead.

In the final stages, tension crept in both sets of players. Referee Anton Zammit sent off Xewkija's substitute Ino Mifsud and Ghajnsielem's Joe Attard for dissent during stoppage time.

Referee: Anton Zammit.

Zebbug Rovers 4
Qala SJ 0

Zebbug Rovers obtained a comfortable victory over Qala St Joseph to edge closer to the teams that are challenging for the title.

Zebbug's success matured in the late stages of the game when they scored three goals.

It was of great satisfaction for Zebbug that their recent acquisition of Nigerian Victor Egere paid immediate dividends. The Nigerian striker marked his debut in the Rovers' yellow jersey by grabbing a hat-trick.

The match was quite balanced in the first part but in the 23rd minute the Rovers were awarded a penalty for a foul by Mizzi on Silvan Galea.

Egere's spot-kick gave Zebbug the lead. Zebbug were now in total command of proceedings and could have increased the score in the 34th minute but Qala goalkeeper Refalo blocked on Galea.

Qala enjoyed a good patch in the early exchanges of the second half but failed to pose serious danger to Zebbug custodian Xuereb.

On the other hand, Qala's 'keeper Refalo was called to make difficult saves to stop efforts by Mahjoub and Mario Azzopardi.

In the 69th minute Zebbug's Azzopardi doubled his side's advantage with a close-range shot following a free-kick by Mahjoub.

Qala were now demoralised and Egere scored two identical goals from fast counter-breaks in the 84th and 88th minutes to complete a personal hat-trick.

Referee: Marco Borg.

Sprite Div. Two league

Gharb Rangers maintained their second place in the Division Two table after a 2-0 victory over SK Victoria Wanderers.

It was a balanced match with both teams trying hard to snatch the points at stake. Gharb nosed ahead the 52nd minute from a penalty by Peter Ohaka.

Victoria staged a good reaction and went close with efforts by Portelli and Mifsud but during injury time, John Cassar ensured Gharb's victory when floating the ball over Wanderers' goalkeeper Mercieca.