Nadur Youngsters miss another chance to win title

Nadur Youngsters missed the chance to retain the Gozitan title for a second successive week when they were held to a draw by Xewkija Tigers.

On the other hand, Qala Saints failed to bridge the gap on the GFA Division One leaders as they also took a point from their match against Kerċem Ajax.

Nadur fancied their chances of taking all points againt Xewkija Tigers but the latter confirmed their good form of late with a battling display.

In fact, it was the Tigers who took the lead on 24 minutes when Rodney Buttigieg dispossessed the Nadur goalkeeper and placed the ball into an empty net.

Nadur hit back strongly and turned the result in their favour when Predrag Djordjevic headed home the equaliser on 26 minutes before Igor Nedeljkovic made it 2-1 just before half-time when he fired home when Xewkija goalkeeper Nikola Kosanin failed to hold Stefan Cassar’s shot.

Xewkija levelled matters on 62 minutes when Damir Andelkovic scored directly from free-kick.

Nadur looked stunned and 16 minutes from time they were reduced to ten men when Joseph Mario Vella was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The clash between Qala and Kerċem Ajax shared four goals in an entertaining encounter.

Qala were unlucky not to take an early lead when Jordi Parnis’ shot came off the bar.

The Ajax, who were looking to bounce back from successive defeats, shared the exchanges and took the lead on 44 minutes through Bruno Da Cruz. 

The Maroons hit back after the break and managed to turn the match around with goals from Joshua Buttigieg (48) and Jordi Parnis (65). 

Kerċem were not demoralised and were unlucky when an effort by Jason Theuma was stopped by the woodwork. 

The Ajax’s persistence was rewarded on 80 minutes when Manwel Xerri in advertently deflected the ball into the Qala goal to make it 2-2.

Minutes later Qala went very close to obtain the winner but an effort by Parnis was stopped by the post.

Oratory Youths obtained three precious points following a 2-1 win over Vitoria Hotspurs that assures them they will not finish bottom of the standings.

Oratory paved the way to the win with two goals from Jovan Mijuskovic (11) and Haraan Goncalves Barbosa (22). 

The Hotspurs re-opened the issue with a goal scored by Brandon Said on 39 minutes but failed to save the result in the remaining minutes of the encounter.

Għajnsielem registered a 4-1 win over bottom placed Sannat Lions in an entertaining clash.

Sannat were punished for their poor finishing and missed an opportunity to obtain a positive result.

Għajnsielem’s Kurt Grima opened the score on 13 minutes with a low drive and Joao Pedro Oliveira Santos made it 2-0 from a free kick on 53 minutes. 

Sannat pulled a goal back just before the hour mark through Camilo Gonzales.

But Għajnsielem made sure of the win with two more goals scored by Naim Belhadj (72) and substitute Patrick Dos Santos Cruz (90).

Wanderers promoted

SK Victoria Wanderer will be making a quick return to the top flight after just one season when they were crowned as GFA Division Two champions

The Wanderers achieved their objective with a 5-0 win over Għarb Rangers.

The Rabat side needed just one point to assure themselves of the title and they reached their goal with a strong display.

The Wanderers’ goals came from Aud-Gustine James Obaje (11), Neil Camilleri (29), Sam Harland (30), Emerson Zammit (56) and Luke Fenech (70).

After the match, SK Victoria Wanderers were presented with medals and trophy by Charmaine Borg, Regional Manager of the Bank of Valletta for Gozo, in the presence of Dr Samuel Azzopardi, the Gozo FA president, and other officials.

Żebbuġ Rovers ended the campaign in third place following a 3-0 win over Xagħra.

Żebbuġ took the lead on 35 minutes through Daniel Mesa Pineros and made sure of the win with two goals scored midway through the second half by Gabriel Debrincat (70) and Lorenzo Atzori (73).

St Lawrence Spurs ended the campaign on a positive note as beat Munxar Falcons 3-2.

The Falcons opened the score in the third minute through Ryan Meilak. But the Spurs equalised through Mark Dingli on 13 minutes. 

Munxar Falcons restored their lead on 65 minutes through a goal by Aron Buttigieg.

But St Lawrence were not demoralised and scored two late goals to clinch the win. 

Victor John Saliba made it 2-2 on 82 minutes before Adebayo Ademilua grabbed the winner from a penalty late in the match.

PLAYING ON FRIDAY

Gozo Stadium

GFA Division Two KO

Għarb R. vs Xagħra Utd             18.00

PLAYING ON SATURDAY

Gozo Stadium

GFA Division One

Sannat L. vs Oratory Y.              18.00

Xewkija T. vs Qala S.    20.00

PLAYING SUNDAY

Gozo Stadium

GFA Division One

Għajnsielem vs Victoria H.       13.00

Nadur Y. vs Kercem A. 15.00

PLAYING MONDAY

Gozo Stadium

GFA Division Two KO

Żebbug R. vs St Lawrence         18.00