Għajnsielem sent a real title message when they had the better over Victoria Hotspurs by the odd goal in three at the Gozo Stadium.
This clash was a direct encounter between two title contenders who were still unbeaten before this match and were looking to take sole leadership.
The match turned out to be a well-contested affair despite the fact that the Hotspurs ended with nine players.
Għajnsielem took the driving seat with an early goal scored in the fifth minute by Johnny Camilleri, who headed home from a corner action.
The Hotspurs suffered a blow on 21 minutes when they were reduced to ten men as Joseph Mario Vella was dismissed for a foul in midfield.
However, Għajnsielem failed to take full advantage of their numerical superiority with both sides having scoring opportunities.
Victoria had the better chances to level the score with two attempts by Christian Mercieca, while Għajnsielem’s Johnny Camilleri missed two good opportunities to double their lead.
It was the Hotspurs who levelled matters on 56 minutes through a strike by Henrique De Souza Maciel.
But the Blacks soon regained the initiative on 65 minutes when Sam Frank Bajada headed them back in front from a corner action.
Two minutes later, the Hotspurs ended with nine players when Maciel was sent off for dissent.
The Hotspurs could have saved the result during the final stages but a header by substitute James Tabone headed over.
In another match from the top-flight, Kerċem Ajax bounced back from two successive defeats after trouncing Xagħra United 4-0.
The win lifted the Ajax away from the relegation zone and to a more comfortable mid-table position.
Kerċem were all over their opponents and wrapped up the win with two goals in each half.
Samuel Saldanha scored quick-fire goals on 30 and 36 minutes to put his team in charge, before Marko Potezica added a third on 58 minutes.
On 62 minutes, Kerċem were reduced to ten men when Nathaniel Mercieca was sent off. But despite this setback they still managed to add a fourth goal nine minutes from time.
The other match from the GFA Division One, relegation rivals SK Victoria Wanderers and Oratory Youths shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
With the result, the Wanderers stayed three points ahead of Oratory who picked their first point of the season.
Oratory were the more offensive side in the first half and could have taken the lead on 21 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. From the spot, Karolis Chvedukas saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Giacomo Ratto.
From the resultant corner, Daniel Azzopardi saw his header hitting the upright.
Azzopardi came again close midway through the second half but was again denied by the goalkeeper with the aid of the upright.
But ten minutes from time, the Wanderers took the lead when Aud-Gustine James Obaje tapped home from a free-kick by Emerson Zammit.
Oratory saved the result two minutes from time when James Grima’s effort was partially blocked by the Wanderers goalkeeper but substitute Daniel Atzori was on hand to fire home.
Qala Saints and Munxar Falcons took a point each following a 2-2 draw that matured in the second half.
Qala have now remained unbeaten while the Falcons missed the chance to close the gap on the leaders.
The Maroons opened the score on 57 minutes through a fine strike by Manwel Xerri but Munxar turned the result in their favour through a brace by Ayesller Carvalho (61, 73 pen.).
Munxar seemed heading towards a win but in stoppage time Qala clinched the equaliser from a penalty converted by Emanuel Buttigieg.
After the final whistle Munxar had goalkeeper Daniel Galea who was shown a red card.
Għarb Rangers took the second spot in the standings following a 2-0 win over Żebbuġ.
Għarb scored their goals early in the match through Milos Stojanovic (8, 21pen.).
Żebbuġ’s reaction was sterile and had Michael Camilleri and Baskal Saliba dismissed.
NEXT FIXTURES
PLAYING SATURDAY
KERĊEM STADIUM
DIVISION TWO
St Lawrence vs Żebbuġ 12.30
GOZO STADIUM
DIVISION ONE
Victoria H. vs Nadur Y. 15.00
PLAYING SUNDAY
KERĊEM STADIUM
DIVISION TWO
Munxar F. vs Għarb R. 12.30
GOZO STADIUM
DIVISION ONE
Xewkija vs Għajnsielem 15.00
