Victoria Hotspurs and Tarxien maintain perfect starts in Challenge League

Victoria Hotspurs and Tarxien Rainbows maintained their perfect starts to the 2026/27 BOV Challenge League campaign with victories on matchday two, while Swieqi United secured a dramatic stoppage-time win over Pietà Hotspurs.

Naxxar Lions, Mġarr United and Vittoriosa Stars also registered victories, while St Andrews and Santa Lucia shared the points, as did Fgura United and Sirens.

Victoria Hotspurs come from behind to beat Żurrieq

Victoria Hotspurs recorded their second successive victory after coming from behind to defeat Żurrieq 2-1.

Despite creating several early opportunities, the Gozitans fell behind when substitute Wyatt Jon Harding capitalised on a mistake by goalkeeper Steve Sultana to put Żurrieq ahead.

Brazilian forward Thiago Nonato Peixoto restored parity in first-half stoppage time with a powerful finish following a cross.

Victoria Hotspurs continued to press after the interval, with Żurrieq goalkeeper Jurgen Borg producing several saves to keep his side in contention.

Peixoto also struck the post before substitute Kyle Sciberras Balbi took advantage of confusion in the Żurrieq defence to score the winner.

The result gave Victoria Hotspurs six points from their opening two matches.

Tarxien Rainbows overcome ten-man Attard

Tarxien Rainbows also made it two wins from two matches with a 3-1 victory over Attard.

Jesus Norberto Jimenez Perez opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Gabriel Cruz De Castro doubled Tarxien’s advantage ten minutes later.

Captain Isaac Cutajar added a third three minutes after the interval to put the Rainbows firmly in control.

Attard’s task became more difficult in the 66th minute when Matthias Fenech received a straight red card following a foul on Michael Silva Oliveira.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Attard reduced the deficit through substitute Kayden Farrugia in the 78th minute, but Tarxien held on to secure another three points.

Swieqi snatch dramatic victory over Pietà

Swieqi United produced a late comeback to defeat Pietà Hotspurs 3-2 in an entertaining encounter.

Vito Plut converted a penalty in the 13th minute to give Swieqi the lead, but Luca Gatt equalised for Pietà on the stroke of half-time.

Precious Nwankwo Uchechukwu put Pietà ahead in the 67th minute, leaving Swieqi facing the prospect of defeat.

However, Zak Barbara restored parity with a powerful long-range effort in the 83rd minute before Salam Mawuena struck the winner from distance in stoppage time.

The result condemned Pietà to their first defeat of the campaign.

Mġarr United register first victory

Mġarr United bounced back from their opening defeat against Tarxien Rainbows with a 2-1 victory over Melita.

Bjorn Buhagiar opened the scoring with a well-placed effort before Ginio Job doubled Mġarr’s advantage following a counter-attack.

Melita responded after the interval, with Benjamin Cassar reducing the deficit through a powerful strike.

The Reds pressed for an equaliser during the closing stages, but Mġarr defended their lead to collect their first three points of the season.

Naxxar Lions defeat Żebbuġ Rangers

Naxxar Lions secured their first victory of the campaign with a 3-1 win over Żebbuġ Rangers.

Substitute Felippe Bugeja opened the scoring before Trezeguet Zammit doubled Naxxar’s advantage in the 47th minute.

Godfred Sakyi pulled a goal back for Żebbuġ four minutes later, giving his side renewed hope.

However, Zammit scored his second goal in the 81st minute to seal the victory for Naxxar.

Vittoriosa Stars secure first win

Vittoriosa Stars collected their first three points of the season after defeating Gudja United 2-0 at the Centenary Stadium.

David Mosquera opened the scoring with a powerful close-range effort after Gudja goalkeeper Glenn Zammit had earlier denied Duvan Alvarez.

Gudja attempted to respond, but Vittoriosa goalkeeper Fredrick Tabone produced important saves to preserve his side’s advantage.

Steven Schembri put the result beyond doubt in the 84th minute with a powerful header, leaving Gudja without a point after two matches.

St Andrews and Santa Lucia share the points

St Andrews and Santa Lucia played out a 1-1 draw at the Centenary Stadium.

Zach Attard gave St Andrews the lead on the hour mark when he met a corner with a precise header.

Santa Lucia responded in the 78th minute through Terence Vella, who headed home to restore parity.

Both teams pushed for a winning goal, but neither could find a breakthrough during the closing stages.

Ten-man Sirens hold Fgura United

Fgura United and Sirens maintained their unbeaten starts to the campaign following a 1-1 draw.

Luke Anthony Borg gave Sirens the lead in the 19th minute with an effort from outside the penalty area.

Sirens were reduced to ten men in the 42nd minute when Blessing Brafo was sent off.

Fgura equalised on the hour mark after Timilehin Caleb Akande was brought down inside the penalty area, with Bruno Aguiar Muniz De Souza converting the resulting penalty.

Despite their numerical advantage, Fgura were unable to find a winner, leaving both teams on four points after two matches.

BOV Challenge League – Matchday 2 results