Victoria Hotspurs keep marching on

Leaders Victoria Hotspurs maintained a four-point lead on top of the BOV Gozo Football League First Division as they defeated neighbours SK Victoria Wanderers 4-1 at the Gozo Stadium on Tuesday.  Henrique Maciel put the Hotspurs ahead on the 22nd minute, Ferdinando Apap doubled the score on the 33rd and Chris Camilleri scored a third goal two minutes from the end of the first half. Ian Xuereb pulled one back on the 72nd but Galder Dwomoh Lombas restored the comfortable lead one minute from time.

Nadur Youngsters kep the pace with the leaders thanks to a 2-1 win over Oratory Youths on Wednesday. Darko Krstic put Nadur ahead on the 34th and three minutes later, Joshua Buttigieg equalised. Josef Buttigieg notched the winner five minutes from time.

Xewkija Tigers lost ground following a 0-2 defeat to Ghajnsielem on Sunday. Ali Oularbi put the Blacks ahead on the 14th and Luis Andre de Melo Lima doubled the score on the 64th.

In another match, Kercem Ajax defeated Gharb Rangers 5-4 in a most dramatic way. Marcelo Barbosa put Gharb ahead on the 8th minute and after Kercem had a player sent off, the Rangers extended the lead thanks to Marcelo Barbosa on the 24th and Michael Bezzina on the 33rd. Andrew Mizzi reduced the gap on the 38th, a penalty by Daniel Chaves Flores on the 41st and a goal by Nathaniel Mercieca one minute in added time restored equilibrium.

Deep into stoppage time, Marcelo Barbosa had a penalty saved by the Kercem goalkeeper but Gharb still regained the lead three minutes in the second half, courtesy of Borja Polo Longarela. However Kercem hit back with goals by Andrew Mizzi on the 57th and Alen Haska on the 63rd. Gharb also had a player sent off twelve minutes from time.

Meanwhile in the BOV Gozo Football League Second Division, Sannat Lions moved top thanks to a 3-0 win over Zebbug Rovers at the Kercem Ajax Stadium on Thursday. The Lions forged ahead thanks to Mohammed Senussi Telessi on the 17th minute and two minutes later, Matthew Portelli doubled the score. Antoine Camilleri scored a third goal on the 77th minute.

On Saturday, Sannat Lions and Munxar Falcons, who lie two points behind the Lions apart from having a game in hand, shared the spoils in a goalless draw. Sannat had a penalty by Antoine Camilleri neutralised by the Munxar goalkeeper.

In another match on Saturday, St Lawrence Spurs defeated Qala Saints 3-1 thanks to goals by Charlon Farrugia – a penalty on the 15th minute and Radovan Duric on the 38th and 50th before Modibo Niakate pulled one back on the 56th.

Earlier last week, St Lawrence Spurs defeated Zebbug Rovers 3-0 thanks to Charlon Tabone on the 27th and a brace by Denis Di Maio on the 40th and 51st.

In another match, Xaghra United returned to winning ways as they beat Qala Saints 5-1 in the basement clash. Michael Mumford put Qala ahead on the 23rd but Milorad Janjus equalised on the 45th and then put Xaghra ahead on the 57th. Adrian Xiberras increased the lead on the 64th with Gabriel Farrugia and Adrian Xiberras adding another two goals on the 85th and 91st.