Victoria Hotspurs claimed an important three points in their fifth match of the Amateur League I campaign on Saturday at the Luxol Stadium, defeating Qrendi 2-0 with a goal in each half. The Gozitans, who dominated Amateur League II last season, have learned in their opening fixtures that the higher division offers far tougher competition.
Despite the final scoreline, the match was anything but straightforward for Oliver Spiteriโs team. Qrendi started strongly and created several early chances, but they found Hotspurs goalkeeper Steve Sultana in excellent form. Within the first 20 minutes, Brandon Bray twice went closeโfirst firing just over the crossbar, then forcing a strong save. Gilmour Azzopardi also tested Sultana soon after, but the goalkeeper remained solid.
Victoriaโs first notable opportunity arrived on the half-hour mark, when Shaun Attard attempted an acrobatic effort following a cross from Christian Mercieca, though it missed the target. Bray remained Qrendiโs most dangerous threat, and another free kick of his was stopped by Sultana in the 38th minute. Two minutes later, Kurt Borg tried his luck for Hotspurs, but veteran goalkeeper Christian Cassar blocked well.
A minute after that, Victoria Hotspurs broke the deadlock. From a corner action, captain Ferdinando Apap climbed above everyone and headed past Cassar to give his side a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
After the break, Qrendi pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Joseph Ogunuppe went close with a long-range effort on 61 minutes, while Kieran Xuereb forced yet another strong save from Sultana on 71 minutes.
Victoria sealed the win in the 80th minute. Rondinely Monteiro controlled the ball on his chest and struck a precise low shot into the net to make it 2-0. Close to full-time, substitute Emil Grozdanov almost added a third, but Cassar denied him. Hotspurs nevertheless held on comfortably for a disciplined and much-needed victory.
Zejtun Corinthians 1-2 Pembroke Athleta
Pembroke Athleta secured their first points of the season on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Zejtun Corinthians at the Luxol Stadium, in a match that remained finely balanced throughout. The defeat was a missed opportunity for Zejtun, who could have climbed closer to the divisionโs leading teams with a victory.
The match began with immediate threats from both sides. After just five minutes, Andrew Sant struck the post for Pembroke. Zejtun responded through Adrian Carabott, who hit the woodwork himself after 12 minutes, before forcing a smart save from goalkeeper Dean Sciberras moments later. Pembroke then went close through Samuel Saldanha midway through the half, but the first 45 minutes ended goalless.
Two minutes after the restart, Pembroke broke the deadlock. Weverton was brought down in the area by Aidan Camilleri, and the Brazilian striker converted the penalty to give Pembroke the lead. The advantage doubled soon after, as Sant fired a powerful shot past Anson Saliba to make it 2-0.
Zejtun had a major chance to pull one back when awarded a penalty on 67 minutes, but Stefi Cale sent his effort over the bar. Just a minute later, however, Clyde Bouvet reduced the deficit with a well-taken goal that renewed Zejtunโs hopes.
In the late stages, Saldanha almost restored Pembrokeโs two-goal cushion, but Saliba produced an excellent save. Pembroke ultimately stood firm to claim their first victory of the campaign, while Zejtun remain in mid-table after narrowly missing out on at least a point.
Mellieฤงa 2-1 Senglea Athletic
Mellieฤงa continued their strong run of form on Saturday at the Luxol Stadium, edging past Senglea Athletic 2-1 in a tightly contested match that lifted them into third place. It was a hard-earned victory for the Northerners, who capitalised on their chances while Senglea were left frustrated after hitting the post twice.
The Blues began brightly and opened the scoring on 20 minutes. Portuguese forward Alex Sander rose highest to meet a cross and sent a precise header past goalkeeper Sean Mintoff. Mellieฤงa nearly doubled their lead shortly before halftime, when Jake Saliba unleashed a long-range shot that beat Mintoff but crashed against the post.
Senglea came out stronger in the second half. Ogechukwu Ohalewe headed just wide in the 53rd minute, and two minutes later captain Steve Meilak forced a sharp save from goalkeeper Slaven Micallef. Despite Sengleaโs rising pressure, it was Mellieฤงa who struck again late on. In the 85th minute, substitute Amin Louati reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, firing in from close range to make it 2-0.
Senglea continued to press and were unlucky once more when Meilak hit the post in the final minute of regular time. Deep into added time, substitute Jack Zammit pulled one back with a powerful strike, but Mellieฤงa held on for three valuable points as their push for promotion gathers momentum.
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
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