Sannat Lions and SK Victoria Wanderers earned the right to contest the Freedom Day Cup next March after occupying the top two places of the Division One standings at the end of the first round.
Last weekend, Sannat trounced Victoria Hotspurs, the reigning champions, 5-0 to open a two-point gap over the Wanderers who leapfrogged Nadur into second place after beating them 3-1.
Sannat’s win over the Hotspurs was their second with such a convincing margin this season. Again, the Lions left a good impression with an all-round positive display, underlining their strength in all departments, particularly in attack which has already yielded 19 goals.
The Hotspurs’ resistance lasted until the 27th minute when Sannat took the lead with a half-volley by Eric Nwankwo.
The Citizens tried to lift their game after the break but their hopes were dashed when Oliver Farrugia was sent off on 51 minutes for dangerous play.
Sannat profited from the situation and Nwankwo doubled their advantage three minutes later while Elton Vella made it 3-0 on 68 minutes from a free-kick.
Nwankwo rounded his excellent performance with a hat-trick on 75 minutes when he took a rebound from the goalkeeper who had blocked an effort by John Camilleri. The latter sealed the issue with a low drive after an inviting ball from Chris Camilleri.
SK Victoria Wanderers bounced back from their drubbing to Sannat as they put in a solid performance to stave off Nadur’s challenge.
David Udo Monday put the Wanderers ahead from a penalty after 10 minutes. Nadur hit back strongly but a Saviour Attard header from a corner smacked against the post and from the loose ball, Joseph Portelli’s effort was cleared off the line by Joel Attard.
Victoria increased their lead on 25 minutes, Joseph Vella hitting home from the edge of the area.
Nadur never stopped trying but found Victoria keeper Franklin Vella in their way as he made fine saves to deny Anthony Portelli and Wesley de Oliveira. The latter got Nadur back into contention when he fired home from a Darko Stojanovic free-kick.
Vella did well to stop Stojanovic’s attempt at the Wanderers’ goal but 18 minutes from time, the contest was over when Ige Adesina fired home following a cross from the right by Joseph Vella.
Division Two
Oratory Youths finished the first round on a high note after claiming a 2-0 win over lowly Qala Saints to move up to second place.
Oratory had to sweat for their victory which matured with two goals scored by veteran Dione Lautier (72, 80). He came on as a substitute midway through the second half.
In another match, Munxar Falcons and Għarb Rangers returned home with a point each after a 2-2 draw.
Għarb started better and opened the scoring after nine minutes through Fabian Cini.
Munxar made a strong reaction after the break to turn the result in their favour with goals from substitute Christian Micallef (66) and William Cassar (74).
However, Għarb were not demoralised and clinched a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time when Victor John Saliba found the net with a long-range drive.