Nadur Youngsters win top-of-the-table clash

Nadur Youngsters take sole leadership in the Melita First Division in Gozo after defeating Xewkija Tigers 2-1 in a top-of-the-table clash at the Gozo Stadium on Saturday.

Joseph Vella put Nadur ahead on 32 minutes and a minute later, Xewkija could have equalised by a penalty by Daniel Bogdanovic was parried by Nadur goalkeeper Mark Grima. The Tigers paid dearly for this missed opportunity as Claudio Antunes doubled the score on the 35th. Thirteen minutes in the second half, Kenneth Mercieca pulled one back for Xewkija but this was not enough to avoid defeat.

Meanwhile Kercem Ajax and Oratory Youths are now joint-third as Kercem beat St. Lawrence Spurs and Oratory Youths were held in a draw by SK Victoria Wanderers.

Kercem defeated St. Lawrence Spurs 4-1. Andrew Mizzi and Ian Xuereb gave Kercem a two-goal lead within the first nine minutes and Mambaye Boye pulled one back four minutes from the end of the first half. However Ian Xuereb scored again seven minutes in the second half and Joseph Azzopardi sealed the issue with a fourth goal two minutes in added time.

Oratory Youths earned a point in a goalless draw in the derby against SK Victoria Wanderers.

In another match, Victoria Hotspurs defeated Sannat Lions 4-0. Within the first eleven minutes, both sides missed a penalty – Jason Pace for the Hotspurs and Fernando de Andrade for the Lions. Nikola Vasilic put Victoria ahead eight minutes from the end of the first half and in added time, Ferdinando Apap doubled the score. Rodney Buttigieg made it 3-0 four minutes in the second half and Nikola Vasilic added another on 72 minutes.

Meanwhile in the Melita Second Division on Friday, leaders Ghajnsielem were held in a 2-2 draw by Gharb Rangers thanks to goals by Joseph Attard and Kenny Hili for Ghajnsielem, Christopher Mercieca and Noel Borg for Gharb.

Xaghra United turned defeat into victory as they beat Qala Saints 3-1. Alan Cini put Qala ahead but a brace by Joseph Buhagiar and a goal by Luke Attard handed Xaghra the three points.