BOV Challenge League: Naxxar Lions secure promotion

Naxxar Lions secured promotion to the BOV Premier League thanks to a 2-1 win over Zejtun Corinthians at the Centenary Stadium in a match from the BOV Challenge League Top Six on Sunday.

Ryan Gilmour Cassar put Naxxar ahead five minutes in the second half and Robinson Blandon Rendon doubled the score on the 69th with Rafael de Fex reducing the gap nine minutes from time.

Leaders Sliema, on the other hand, moved a step closer to the championship as a penalty by Jean Carlos Cloth Goncalves on the 68th handed them a narrow win over Zurrieq in another match at the Centenary Stadium.

Sliema lead the way with 65 points, followed by Naxxar on 54, Zejtun 41, Tarxien 39, Melita 31 and Zurrieq 29.

Meanwhile in the Play-Out, Swieqi United and St. Andrews both secured their Challenge League status.

Swieqi United came from behind to beat Mtarfa 2-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Gianluca Sultana put Mtarfa ahead on the 53rd but substitute Leonardo De Bortoli equalised on the 68th and notched a dramatic winner on the 92nd.

In another match at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, St. Andrews defeated Qrendi 2-0 thanks to a goal by Luka Mijic just before the end of the first half and an own goal on the 64th.

In another match, neighbours Attard and Lija Athletic shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw. Yuto Morita put Attard ahead five minutes from the end of the first half but Duvan Mosquera Torres levelled matters eleven minutes from time.

Swieqi lead the way with 40 points, followed by St. Andrews on 38, Fgura 35, Lija 33, Marsa 31, Attard 27, San Gwann 25, Marsaskala and Qrendi 24, Mqabba 21, Vittoriosa 20 and Mtarfa 17.

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