Nadur Youngsters went three points clear at the top of the GFA Division One after they prevailed in the top-of-the-table clash against Kerċem Ajax while Sannat Lions produced the biggest upset of the weekend when they beat title contenders Għajnsielem.
Xewkija Tigers had the better of Victoria Hotspurs while SK Victoria Wanderers reopened the relegation issue when they beat Oratory Youths as the first round came to a close.
The GFA Division One will now go on a short break and will resume at the end of November after the re-seeding of the Gozo Stadium will be completed.
However, the outcome of Match Day 7 put Nadur in the driving seat as they are the only undefeated team in the top-flight.
Nadur Youngsters defended their leading status with the points obtained from a 5-1 win over Kerċem Ajax.
Nadur practically put their minds at rest from the win with three goals scored during the first half hour of play through Joseph Zammit (16), a Judivan penalty and another goal from Marcelo Barbosa (30).
Barbosa grabbed the second of the match on 70 minutes before Kerċem pulled a goal back from a penalty awarded for a foul on Luis Henrique Santana Motta and converted by the same player on 82 minutes.
Nadur scored their fifth goal on 89 minutes through a header by substitute Gabriel Farrugia.
Għajnsielem missed the chance to keep the pace with Nadur Youngsters as they stumbled to their first defeat of the season to Sannat Lions.
The Lions were considered as relegation strugglers before their stunning 4-2 win over Għajnsielem, but they are now occupying a comfortable fifth place in the standings.
The Blacks seemed overconfident while Sannat managed to express their potential as they were playing without any pressure.
Sannat could have taken the lead after seven minutes when they were awarded a penalty but Henry Fabian Solis’s shot was saved by Għajnsielem’s goalkeeper.
The Lions were not to be denied as three minutes later Lucas Silva Gomes put them ahead from a free-kick.
Silva Gomes was at it again minutes later when he was floored inside the area by Kurt Grima and from the resultant penalty, the Brazilian made it 2-0.
Għajnsielem were clearly struggling and Sannat added a third goal on 72 minutes when Solis’ inswinger flew into the net.
The Blacks pulled one back two minutes later from a penalty that was converted by Igor Nedeljkovic.
Għajnsielem’s hopes of turned the match around were all but ended on 77 minutes when Kevin Farrugia inadvertently headed the ball past his own goalkeeper.
Three minutes later, Għajnsielem were awarded a second penalty when Lucas Baretto Da Silva handled the ball inside the area and Nedeljkovic made no mistake from the spot.
Għajnsielem shouted ‘penalty’ in stoppage time when Jhon Arboleda Valencia was upended inside the area but the referee waved play on and showed a second yellow card to the Għajnsielem forward for simulation and was dismissed.
This decision infuriated the Għajnsielem officials and it took five minutes to restore order with the referee dismissing four officials from the Blacks’ bench.
Xewkija Tigers came from behind to have the better of Victoria Hotspurs by the odd goal in five.
The Hotspurs were the better side during the first period but failed to capitalise from some good scoring opportunities.
The Citizens, however, took the lead on 66 minutes through a low shot by Damon Hili.
But Xewkija levelled the score six minutes later from a penalty, awarded for a foul by Jason Pace on Josmar Vella, and converted by Haruna Shodija.
The Hotspurs regained the lead on 79 minutes through a strike by Kakra Boakye-Mensa but Xewkija’s substitute Joel Xuereb made it 2-2 on 85 minutes.
The Tigers went on to clinch the win with a goal in stoppage time through a low shot by Shodija.
SK Victoria Wanderers obtained a 2-1 win over Oratory Youths.
For the Wanderers these were the first points in this year’s championship and also pulled the same Oratory and Victoria Hotspurs in relegation tussle.
Oratory took the lead after five minutes of play through Haraan Hajazan Goncalves Barbosa but the Wanderers levelled the score on 32 minutes with a low drive by Oliver Curmi.
SK Victoria Wanderers turned the result in their favour on 54 minutes through a close-range shot by Fabricio Rozkiewicz.
GFA Division Two
Żebbuġ Rovers made it two wins from two as they beat Xaghra United with a late goal.
The Rovers missed a penalty on 21 minutes as Daniel Mesa Pineros saw his shot from the spot-kick saved by the Xagħra goalkeeper and on 53 minutes the Rovers were reduced to ten men when Eman Bugeja handled the ball on the line. From the resultant penalty, Xagħra’s Christian Debono fired his shot over.
Xagħra were also reduced to ten men on 56 minutes when Emmanuel Galea was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Nine minutes from time, Żebbuġ scored the winner through an excellent strike by Daniel Mesa Pineros.
Xagħra ended the match with nine men as Savio Galea was also sent off for a second booking.
Munxar Falcons in the meantime had a good start in the league as they registered a 2-0 win over St Lawrence Spurs.
Munxar’s win matured with two second-half goals scored by Ayesller Carvalho (49) and substitute Robert Grima (63).
NEXT FIXTURES
BOV GFA CUP – KERĊEM STADIUM
PLAYING ON FRIDAY
Xewkija T. vs Kercem Ajax 18.30
PLAYING ON SATURDAY
Sannat L. vs Zebbug R. 12.30
Victoria H. vs Xaghra Utd 16.00
PLAYING ON SUNDAY
Nadur Y. vs St Lawrence 12.30
Għajnsielem vs Munxar 16.00
