Sannat Lions and Nadur Youngsters figured in a one-all draw in a top-of-the-table clash at the Gozo Stadium last weekend. In the other match from the top flight, SK Victoria Wanderers and St Lawrence Spurs shared the spoils in a goalless stalemate.
In the main fixture, Nadur seemed heading to a narrow win but leaders Sannat saved the day with a stoppage-time equaliser.
The Youngsters opened the score on 25 minutes thanks to a goal from skipper Anthony Portelli. Sannat’s reaction was confused and their only attempts at goal came from long-distance shots.
Nadur relied on counter breaks and went close to increasing their lead on more than one occasion. Brazilian striker Wesley de Oliveira twice came face-to-face with the Lions goalkeeper but on both occasions he concluded wide as Sannat keeper Adrian Parnis kept his side in contention with a string of fine saves, mainly on efforts from Joseph Portelli.
But, Sannat were a revitalised lot in the final stages and a lob by Eric Nwankwo on 78 minutes was cleared off the line by Jeffrey Meilaq while keeper Steve Sultana was on the right spot to stop a shot by John Camilleri.
The Lions were rewarded for their efforts in the third minute of stoppage time when an Elton Vella delivery fell into the path of substitute Fernando de Andrade who fired in from close distance.
SK Victoria Wanderers lost a good opportunity to move further up the table as they could only pick up a point from their match against St Lawrence.
However, considering all circumstances, it seemed more of a case that a point was won rather than two lost by the Wanderers who played most of the second half with two players less.
The Spurs took to the field without Franco Franchino and Hugo Seco. They looked adventurous at first but the Wanderers soon gained command and were unlucky when an effort by Ajibade Adesina hit the bar.
Victoria’s hopes suffered a blow on 53 minutes when Akande Williams was sent off for a second bookable offence and skipper Joseph Refalo followed suit on 67 minutes for retaliation.
St Lawrence failed to profit though and the closest they went to scoring was on 76 minutes through Alkiou Traore who hit the bar with a shot.
Division Two
Żebbuġ Rovers handed leaders Xagħra United their first upset of the season after beating them 4-2.
Joe Hili opened the score for Rovers and they added two more goals after the break through Manwel Cordina and Antoine Camilleri.
Xagħra scored twice late on, through Daniel Bartolo and Errol Grima, but Rovers sealed the issue with a Cordina goal.
In another match, Oratory Youths beat Munxar Falcons 5-0.
The Falcons’ resistance lasted until the 34th minute when Francesco Cini put Oratory in front.
Dione Lautier scored a hat-trick before the break and Cini made it 5-0 on 69 minutes.