Although they were not in action this weekend, Nadur Youngsters moved a step closer to the championship in Gozo as second-placed Kercem Ajax were held in a second consecutive draw.

Kercem were held in a 1-1 draw by SK Victoria Wanderers on Saturday. Malcolm Vella put them ahead but after the Ajax had Joseph Azzopardi sent off, the Wanderers managed to equalise through a Eric Chidi Nwankwo penalty.

Xewkija Tigers bounced back after losing the previous two matches, beating Xaghra United 7-4.

Rodney Buttigieg and Thiago dos Santos put the Tigers two goals ahead before Slavi Kostenski reduced the gap for Xaghra. However three goals by dos Santos – two before half-time and one early in the second half – put Xewkija 5-1 ahead.

Joseph Vella scored Xaghra’s second goal with Paul Rapa scoring the sixth for Xewkija, Kostenski scored another for Xaghra and after Elton Vella scored the Tigers’ seventh goal, Joseph Vella reduced the gap once again for Xaghra.

In another match, a goal on the 90th by Bledar Vata enabled Sannat Lions to beat Victoria Hotspurs 1-0.

Nadur lead the way with 35 points, followed by Kercem on 25, Xewkija 19, SK Victoria 18, Victoria Hotspurs 15, Xaghra 12 and Sannat 11.

In Division 2, Oratory Youths lead by seven points over Munxar Falcons.

Daniel Pace gave Munxar Falcons a narrow win over St. Lawrence Spurs on Thursday. On Friday, goals by Kenny Hili, Charlon Grima and Robert Grima gave Ghajnsielem a 3-0 win over Zebbug Rovers. On the other hand, Qala Saints defeated Gharb Rangers 1-0 thanks to a goal by Patrick Falzon on Saturday.

P W D L F A +/- Pts
1 Oratory Y. 14 13 1 0 56 8 48 40
2 Munxar F. 14 11 0 3 34 14 20 33
3 Ghajnsielem 14 9 0 5 28 20 8 27
4 Qala S. 14 5 2 7 15 20 -5 17
5 St. Lawrence S. 14 3 3 8 27 29 -2 12
6 Zebbug R. 14 2 2 10 13 45 -32 8
7 Gharb R. 14 2 0 12 8 45 -37 6