The first two matches from the 2010/11 Melita Division One championship ended all square last weekend.
Champions Victoria Hotspurs were held by Nadur Youngsters and Sannat Lions and Xewkija Tigers also shared the spoils in a one-all draw.
Sannat are still without foreign players but they paraded key signings Elton Vella (ex-Vittoriosa) and Chris Camilleri (ex-Hibernians).
Against Xewkija, the Lions failed to impose their superiority and the early action was restricted to midfield. Camilleri almost marked his debut with a goal while, at the other end, Xewkija’s best opportunity fell to debutant Kiril Dyakov. However, the Bulgarian striker failed to take his chance.
Sannat opened the scoring 20 minutes from time when skipper Mark Muscat hit an unstoppable grounder that took a deflection on its way home.
Eric Nkwankwo and Camilleri wasted chances to secure the points for the Lions who were made to pay by Xewkija when substitute Mark Camilleri hit the equaliser on the stroke of time.
Nadur’s hopes of producing a bold challenge for the title this season will have been boosted by their encouraging performance against the Hotspurs.
The Youngsters enjoyed an excellent start and practically dominated the first half. They scored an early goal through newcomer Wesley De Oliveira and went close to increasing their lead through efforts by De Oliveira, Charles Hili, Milos Stojanovic (formerly of Kerċem) and Joseph Portelli.
The champions improved after the break and on 65 minutes Bulgarian midfielder Kalin Ganchev made it one-all.
Victory could have gone either way in the final minutes. Anthony Portelli and Joseph Portelli went close for Nadur and, at the other end, Sierra Leone player John Kanu sent his header the wrong side of the Youngsters’ goal.
Independence Cup
Victoria Hotspurs will be looking to retain the Independence Cup, the first honour of the GFA season, when they take on rivals SK Victoria Wanderers in the final.
The Hotspurs beat St Lawrence Spurs 4-2 in the semi-final. The Spurs eliminated Għajnsielem in the previous round but they faltered in the second half of their match against Victoria Hotspurs.
Ganchev put the Hotspurs ahead after 12 minutes but the Saints levelled the score just before the half-hour mark through Matthew Francalanza.
The Citizens secured their place in the final with three goals after the break through Kanu (51, 83) and Mario Mifsud (67). Franklin Grima made the score look more respectable with a stoppage-time goal.
SK Victoria Wanderers had the better of Sannat Lions 2-0. They were the superior side for most of the match, going ahead through Ajibade Adesina who scored the Wanderers’ two goals in the quarter-final victory over Nadur.
Sannat, who ousted Xewkija Tigers in the quarter-finals, hit back after the break but Joseph Vella killed their hopes with a second goal two minutes from time. This is the first time the Wanderers have reached the final of this competition.
Sportika Cup
Kerċem Ajax and Xagħra United will contest the Sportika Cup final – the KO competition for Division Two clubs.
Kerċem reached the final after a 2-0 win over Oratory Youths and a convincing 3-0 win over holders Qala Saints in the semi-final. Xagħra beat Żebbuġ Rovers 1-0 and Munxar Falcons 3-0 (after extra-time) on their way to the final.