Zebbug Rovers have been crowned GFA champions for the first time in their history. Their title success was secured after Nadur Youngsters were defeated by Ghajnsielem to give up any mathematical hope of catching the leaders who have two more games to play.
Zebbug's overall performance makes them deserving champions. Relying on a nucleus of home players such as Alex Tramboo, Franco Magrin, Mario Azzopardi, Patrick Camilleri, Philip Cardona, Reuben Galea, Silvan Galea and Joseph Cordina, their potential was boosted with the quality of their three foreigners, Mahjoub Touali, Leandro Quinhione and John Eboh.
Spurred by the hard work of president Teddy Cefai, Zebbug's first championship owes to their fine results in the first round, when the team was under the guidance of coach Tony Grech, and their consistency in the third round. Domenic Grech has been in charge of the Rovers for the final phase of the campaign.
Zebbug have been gearing up for this landmark success for the last five years after securing promotion to the top flight in Gozo. During these years, their club and players gathered the required experience to become serious title contenders... their efforts have been rewarded this term!
Nadur Youngsters 2
hajnsielem 4
Outgoing champions Nadur Youngsters succumbed to an unexpected defeat, their second in the third round, against Ghajnsielem and mathematically handed the title to Zebbug Rovers.
The Youngsters have only themselves to blame for this costly setback after throwing away an early two-goal lead.
Nadur's determined approach in the first part of the match gave them a deserved two-goal buffer. Radivoi Panic opened the scoring after 12 minutes with a shot from outside the area.
Alex Simoncic had an attempt coming off the crossbar after 17 minutes but he doubled the score 10 minutes later with an excellent overhead kick after a clearance from the goalmouth by Buttigieg.
The Youngsters eased the pressure, allowing Ghajnsielem to recover from their difficult start.
Kalenga Ndayi reopened the issue in the 33rd minute with a close-range header and the Blacks levelled the score in the 39th minute with a goal by Matthew Portelli.
After the change of ends, play became more balanced but Ghajnsielem remained more dangerous.
On the hour, Joe Attard put Ghajnsielem ahead for the first time when finishing off a counter-attack by Ndayi.
Nadur staged a good reaction and Ghajnsielem goalkeeper Mercieca was called to make difficult saves from efforts by Chris Camilleri, Panic and Simoncic.
Twelve minutes from time, Ghajnsielem made sure of the victory when Ndayi hit their fourth goal.
Referee: George Portelli.
Sannat Lions 1
Victoria Hotspurs 1
Victoria Hotspurs ensured their First Division status for another year after a 1-1 draw with relegation strugglers Sannat Lions. The Lions' failure to bag the three points leaves them in serious trouble, especially in view of Xewkija's victory over Kercem Ajax.
For long stretches, Sannat had more possession but failed to turn their superiority into goals.
They had to wait until the 39th minute to forge ahead through Mark Formosa's header following a cross by Mutalib.
Sannat went very close to increasing the score especially in the early stages of the second period with efforts by Mutalib, de Oliveira and an attempt by Formosa in the 60th minute that hit the crossbar.
This sequence of misses was eventually punished by Victoria Hotspurs who scored the important equaliser 16 minutes from the end through Kim Said following a free-kick by Mercieca.
The Hotspurs were denied the three points in the final minutes with good saves by Muscat on efforts by Mercieca.
Referee: Anton Zammit.
Kercem Ajax 0
Xewkija Tigers 3
Xewkija Tigers obtained an important victory from their relegation clash with Kercem Ajax to leave matters undecided at the wrong end of the table.
Following this result, three teams have the same amount of points at the bottom of the standings. Xewkija have obtained full points from their championship encounters against the Ajax.
Xewkija were all over their opponents from the initial whistle. Mark Camilleri put them in the driving seat after 25 minutes and, seconds before the interval, Sabri Rais doubled their account.
Kercem's reaction after the break was sterile and the Tigers remained the more dangerous side with efforts by Rais and Bugeja.
They made sure of the three points when Rais struck goal no.3 five minutes from time to keep their survival hopes alive.
Referee: Reno Refalo.