Victoria Hotspurs preserved their six-point lead at the top of the GFA Division One standings after edging past Għajnsielem 3-2 last weekend.

The match turned out to be more difficult than expected for the Hotspurs as Għajnsielem produced a strong reaction after the break and the outcome of the encounter remained uncertain until the dying moments.

The Hotspurs, who had four players missing due to suspension and injury, seemed heading towards an easy win as they dictated play during the first half.

Emiliano Lattes was unlucky to see his effort coming off the post.

But the Hotspurs took the lead on 32 minutes when they were awarded a free-kick and Shaun Bajada’s inswinger flew into the net.

Għajnsielem refused to lie down and they drew level on 52 minutes when Charles Hili picked up a short clearance to fire the ball past the Hotspurs goalkeeper.

But four minutes later, the Hotspurs restored their lead when they were awarded a penalty for by Kenneth Mercieca on Elton Da Silva. The Brazilian picked himself up to convert from the spot.

The goals kept flowing as the Blacks made it 2-2 on 68 minutes. They were awarded a penalty for a foul by Justin Azzopardi on Luis Andre De Melo Lima and the latter made no mistake from the spot.

It was anyone’s game now but it was the Citizens who struck the winner on 76 minutes.

Daniel Sowatey tapped the ball home from close in after a Bajada cross.

There was still more drama as in stoppage time Għajnsielem had the ball into the Hotspurs net when Junki Sato hit home but the ‘goal’ was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Nadur Youngsters kept the pace with the Division One leaders when they brushed aside SK Victoria Wanderers 4-1.

The Wanderers started brightly but as the minutes passed Nadur took control and ended the first half with a three-goal lead.

Marcelo Barbosa struck twice on 16 and 27 minutes with the other goal coming from Leiner Garcia Panesso on 26 minutes.

The Wanderers pulled a goal back on 48 minutes through a header by Predrag Dordevic.

But Nadur continued to create the better chances and they sealed the win with a fourth goal on 73 minutes through a low drive by Barbosa.

Xewkija Tigers were back to winning ways when they defeated Munxar Falcons 4-2.

The Tigers opened a two-goal lead in the first 45 minutes. Halleson Tiago Barbosa Honorato marked his return at Xewkija when scoring twice on 14 and 35 minutes. That double setback failed to derail the Falcons who were unlucky not to pull a goal back when Samwel Muscat’s shot came off the bar.

Xewkija were reduced to ten men when Michael Camilleri was showed the red card when he picked up his second booking.

Munxar quickly made the most of their numerical advantage when they pulled a goal back through a Gabriel Muscat header.

Parity was restored 15 minutes from time when Diego Martins De Souza tapped the ball home from a Borja Polo Longarela pass. But their joy was shortlived as a minute later Xewkija regained their lead through Barbosa Honorato.

Munxar had a glorious chance to level the scores but Martins De Souza failed to connect to the ball in front of a gaping goal.

The Tigers sealed the points seven minutes from time when Claudio Antunes fired the ball home following a Milos Stojanovic pass.

Għarb Rangers and Kerċem Ajax took a point each in a 1-1 draw.

Kerċem took the lead in first-half stoppage time with a low shot by Felipe Augusto De Oliveira.

Għarb took three minutes into the second half to level matters when they were awarded a penalty when Martin Hrubsa fouled Junior Elisio Batista De Conceicao. Hugo Santa Rosa Cruz made no mistake from the spot.

Kerċem pushed forward for a winner  but ended the match with nine players as substitute Christoph Caruana was dismissed for retaliation while in stoppage time Owen Spiteri was dismissed for a second booking after not following the referee instructions. 

Abandoned match

The GFA Division Two championship was marred by the events happened during the match between Oratory Youths and Qala Saints.

The match was abandoned midway through the second half when Qala’s Emmanuel Cordina punched referee Joseph Agius after he picked up a second booking and was dismissed.

Cordina was on Wednesday banned for eight months by the Malta FA Disciplinary Commissioner and his case could be re-evaluated further later on this week after the disciplinary body received a second medical certificate on Agius’s condition.

The Gozo Football Association awarded the points to Oratory and the score of the encounter remained valid.

The Oratory goals came from Daniel Degennaro (31, 35), Anthony Zammit (51) and Oliver Saliba (54).

Sannat Lions registered a 3-2 win over Żebbuġ Rovers to remain three points clear of rivals Xagħra United.

Ebube Ralph Okpokwu put Sannat ahead on 13 minutes but Żebbuġ pulled level on 27 minutes through Elijah Xuereb.

On the hour, Żebbuġ defender Marco Ciangura deflected the ball into his own net to put Sannat ahead.

The Rovers kept fighting and thought they took a point when on 87 minutes Marcos Peres Vega hit in the equaliser from a free-kick. But it was the Lions who had the final say when Okpokwus scored the winner with a low shot.

Xagħra lost ground when they were held to a 1-1 draw by St Lawrence Spurs.

Johnny Camilleri put them ahead on 22 minutes with his 300th goal in his career.

But the Spurs saved the result through Muda Fagbeja’s leveller on 73 minutes.

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