Matchday 3 of the GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division delivered plenty of action and goals as Xewkija Tigers narrowly defeated SK Victoria Wanderers in a dramatic five-goal clash. In another encounter, Kercem Ajax claimed a convincing win over Xaghra United to move up to second place in the standings.
Xaghra United 0-3 Kercem Ajax
Referee: Ranald Portelli
Kercem Ajax secured their first win of the season in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 3-0 victory over a struggling Xaghra United side, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table without a point after three matches.
The game was balanced in the opening stages, with both sides creating half-chances, but Kercem took the lead in the 33rd minute through Isaias Moura Vera Cruz De Souza, whose powerful strike broke the deadlock.
Xaghra tried to respond after the interval, but Kercem remained well-organised at the back and struck again on 75 minutes when Juan Matheus Dos Santos Leite doubled their advantage with a precise finish.
Deep into stoppage time, Lorenzo Atzori added a third goal to wrap up a commanding win for Kercem Ajax, boosting their confidence and taking them up to second place in the league standings.
SK Victoria Wanderers 2-3 Xewkija Tigers
Referee: Matthew De Gabriele
The second match of the day was a thrilling encounter, with Xewkija Tigers emerging 3-2 winners over SK Victoria Wanderers to go top of the league table with seven points after three games.
The Tigers started brightly, earning a 2nd-minute penalty which Marcelo Junior Barbosa calmly converted to give his side an early lead.
However, the Wanderers quickly fought back, equalising just six minutes later when Jose Wilkson Teixeira Rocha finished a well-worked move to make it 1-1. By the 30th minute, the Wanderers had turned the match around, with Sam Harland firing home to put them 2-1 ahead, sending their supporters into celebration.
After the break, Xewkija came out with renewed determination and were back on level terms almost immediately when Claudio Daniel Frances struck in the 48th minute to make it 2-2.
As the match headed into the final quarter, both teams pushed for a winner, but it was Brian Alejandro Parada who proved decisive, scoring in the 72nd minute to seal a hard-earned victory for Xewkija Tigers.
The win keeps Xewkija unbeaten this season and cements their position as early title contenders. Meanwhile, SK Victoria Wanderers remain in fifth place with just two points from their opening three matches.
Current Standings โ GFA BOV Gozo Football League 1st Division
(as of 28 September 2025)
| Position | Team | P | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xewkija Tigers FC | 3 | 7 |
| 2 | Kercem Ajax FC | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | Ghajnsielem FC | 1 | 3 |
| 4 | Qala Saints FC | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | SK Victoria Wanderers FC | 3 | 2 |
| 6 | Nadur Youngsters FC | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Xaghra United FC | 3 | 0 |
Summary
The dayโs results leave Xewkija Tigers sitting at the summit of the table after a thrilling victory, while Kercem Ajax are close behind following their clinical display. Xaghra Unitedโs winless run continues, and SK Victoria Wanderers will be left frustrated after throwing away a first-half lead.
Matchday 4 promises even more excitement as the battle for early supremacy in the Gozo Football League heats up.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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