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More twists and turns as Naxxar, Lija move top

Published: 20-03-2017 18:40
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The BOV Division One championship produced more drama last weekend as the unpredictable race for the title and promotion intensified. After Naxxar Lions had surrendered top spot to Senglea Athletic following their shock 4-2 defeat against bottom placed Għargħur in their previous outing, the battle for positions took another twist last weekend. The Lions are back on top after beating Rabat Ajax 3-1 on Friday while Senglea went down 2-0 to Lija Athletic in the match of the week at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.  After a goalless first half, Duane Bonnici hit a brace and Yuri De Jesus Messias scored the other goal for the Lions while Ethan Goodman pulled one back for Rabat late in the game. Lija Athletic are now sharing top spot with Naxxar Lions on 42 points after seeing off Senglea with a goal in each half, scored by Abubaker Bello-Osagie and Erjon Beu.  Mqabba stayed in the hunt for promotion as well as the title after a topsy-turvy 4-3 victory over relegation strugglers Fgura United. Clive Mizzi’s team practically secured their win in the first half as they raced into a 4-1 lead with goals from Arilson Mello Da Silva, who scored a brace, Lyden Micallef and Luca Casha. Cleaven Frendo had temporarily levelled matters for Fgura who halved the deficit when Ebube Okpokwu converted a penalty. The same player was on target again deep into stoppage time but Mqabba held out for the win that took them up to second in the table, level with Senglea on 41 points, one off the top. Għargħur chalked up another positive result after holding Qormi to a 1-1 draw. Lee Galea opened the scoring for Għargħur midway into the second half but Noah Ojuola equalised for Qormi with 13 minutes remaining. Vittoriosa Stars’ slump deepened last weekend as they were on the receiving end of a 3-1 defeat to a tactically-organised Melita side. Liam Gauci gave Vittoriosa Stars an early lead but Melita hit back with a bang. Toraino Singleton brought Melita on level terms just past the half-hour and Axl Xuereb and Alan Borg Olivier struck late on to confirm the three points for the Amateurs. Pietà Hotspurs returned to winning ways after beating Żebbuġ Rangers 4-1.  Gabriel Mensah, a lively performer for Pietà throughout, scored after just three minutes but Tomislav Trebovac made it 1-1 for Żebbuġ on 32 minutes. Christian Degabriele restored the Hotspurs’ lead on the stroke of half-time, an own goal by Clive Psaila put them 3-1 up in the opening minutes of the second half and Christian Grech scored Pietà’s fourth from the penalty spot. In another encounter, Marsa and Sirens shared four goals in an interesting game. Rodney Refalo converted a penalty to give Marsa the lead late in the first half but Sirens replied immediately, Charles Newuche equalising before the half-time break. Elland Vella looked to have given Marsa the three points after putting them 2-1 ahead but Daniel Agius rescued a point for Sirens with an 83rd-minute equaliser.