Xewkija Tigers confirmed themselves as the main challengers to leaders Nadur Youngsters as they defeated champions Victoria Hotspurs 4-3 in the BOV Gozo Football League First Division at the Gozo Stadium on Sunday.

A penalty by Elton Alexandre da Silva put the Hotspurs ahead on the 15th minute but Jackson de Lima equalised six minutes from the end of the first half. Three minutes in the second half, El Mehdi Sidqy restored the lead for the Hotspurs and Elton Alexandre da Silva made it 4-1 on the 52nd. Xewkija had a penalty by Jackson de Lima saved by the Hotspurs goalkeeper but failed to give up, reducing the gap on the 74th thanks to Claudio Daniel Frances, equalising five minutes from time through Jose Carlos Nogueira Junior and notching the winner on teh 92nd minute through Johnny Camilleri.

In another match, Kercem Ajax closed in on Ghajnsielem, defeating them 3-2. An Andrea Debrincat penalty put the Ajax ahead just before the end of the first half. Darko Krstic converted another penalty on the 65th and Debrincat made it 3-0 on the 71st. Ghajnsielem reduced the gap thanks to goals by Michael Bezzina on the 73rd and Igor Neljkovic on the 89th.

Meanwhile in the BOV Gozo Football League Second Division, Oratory Youths maintained the pressure on leaders Sannat Lions thanks to a 4-0 win over Qala Saints. Justin Azzopardi opened the score on the 34th, Bartomeu Perello Palou scored twice on the 59th and the 70th and Paul Said added another on the 80th.

In another match, Sannat Lions defeated St. Lawrence Spurs 2-1. Joseph Zammit put Sannat ahead on the 8th minute, Jason Theuma equalised on the 24th but Ebube Ralph Okpokwu made it 2-1 four minutes from time.