Kerċem score dramatic equaliser

Għajnsielem 1
Buttigieg 60
Kerċem Ajax 1
Nkwocha 90

Għajnsielem: J. Xuereb, F. Buttigieg, M. Cremona, C. Mercieca, L. Tunde, J. Buttigieg (J. Attard), B. Meilak, L. Buttigieg, K. Mercieca, E. Grima (F.L. Galea), S. Goncalves.

Kerċem: C. Mercieca, F. Camilleri, D. Stojanovic, M. Tabone, S. Grech (M. Vella), G. Emiy, M. Stojanovic, J. Debrincat, J. Mercieca, E. Nkwocha, D. Mercieca.

Red card: M. Tabone (K) 86.

Referee: George Portelli.

The last match from the GFA Division One first round pitted together Kerċem and Għajnsielem.

The Blacks were looking to win the three points to join the title race but despite a good performance, they were denied by a late goal.

Brazilian striker Sarkis Goncalves was making his debut for the Blacks. He had a below-par outing, considering that he had more than one opportunity to make sure of victory for his new side.

Kerċem, languishing perilously near the bottom place of the standings, were forced to defend for most of the match.

Goncalves was unlucky on 18 minutes when his shot was turned onto the post by Ajax keeper Courtney Mercieca, the best player for Kerċem. The latter were also denied by the woodwork midway through the first half when a Milos Stojanovic free-kick smacked against the upright.

Goncalves looked better after the restart and the Blacks took control in midfield. They went on to break the deadlock right on the hour when Larry Buttigieg's inswinging corner finished inside Mercieca's net.

Goncalves was through on a couple of occasions but found Mercieca in his way.

At the other end, Godfrey Emiy hit wide with an open goal at his mercy and a minute later it looked all over for Kerċem when Manuel Tabone was sent off for a second caution.

Għajnsielem slackened the pace and Ajax punished them in the second minute of stoppage time when Ejofor Nkwocha hit home a cross from Stojanovic.

Division Two

Munxar Falcons obtained their first win of the season after surprising promotion-seekers Xewkija Tigers who opened the scoring on six minutes, through Joseph Cefai.

However, Munxar turned the result in their favour following goals by Shaun Attard and an own goal by keeper Darren Pace.

Xewkija were shocked and Munxar sealed the issue with a third goal scored by Jerry Ogbuleke deep into stoppage time.

In another match from Division Two, Għarb Rangers emulated Munxar when obtaning their first victory in the championship after beating Oratory Youths 2-1.

Rangers were the better side but found it hard to create openings.

Fifteen minutes from time, they were awarded a penalty for a foul by George Louis Zammit on Marlon Mamo. The referee showed the red card to Zammit but Dominic Matthias's shot from the spot was saved by Franklin Vella.

Għarb were not demoralised though and Mamo went on to score two quicks goals.

Oratory pulled one back in the third minute of stoppage time from a penalty, awarded for handball by Harry Cassar. Clifford Obinwanne scored from the spot.