St Lawrence Earn Qualification With a Late Goal

St Lawrence S: 3 (C. Tabone 45+2’, M.S. Telessi 60’, 88’) E. Fenech, L. Buttigieg, C. Cardona, S. Mizzi, L. Attard, J. Theuma, M.S. Telessi (S. Caruana), C. Cauchi, D. Micallef, J. Grech, C. Tabone.

Sannat L: 2 (A. Camilleri 44’pen., A. Adesina 59’) A. Brignoli, J. Buttigieg, O. Xuereb, F. Xuereb, J. Agius, A. Debono, N. Micallef, M. Muscat, A. Camilleri (K. Bonnici), A. Adesina, D.U. Monday.

Debutant Mohammed Senussi Telessi scored a goal two minutes from the end of regular time to give St Lawrence Spurs a victory over Sannat Lions in the first match from the preliminary round of the Knock Out competition for the second division. The match was well contested for long stretches. Sannat were twice in the lead but on the two occasions the Spurs scored immediate equaliser. Sannat saw more of the ball for most of the time but failed to convert their play into scoring opportunities and conceded space at their defensive department mainly due to lack of experience. On the other hand St Lawrence, who were relegated after two season in the top flight, made good use of their experience as they were quite solid at their defence and also effective in their offensive play. Striker Mohammed Senussi Telessi was undoubtedly the protagonist for the Spurs by scoring a brace.

Sannat could have opened the score in the fourth minute of play when Antoine Camilleri produced a personal action but his low shot was neutralised by goalie Elliott Fenech. As time passed by play took place mainly in the midfield and the two goalkeepers were not called to make difficulty interventions. On 44 minutes Sannat were awarded a penalty when goalie Elliott Fenech committed a foul on Antoine Camilleri and the same striker converted from the spot kick. The Spurs had an immediate reaction and levelled the score in the second minute of stoppage time before half time through a low shot by debutant Charlon Tabone following a cross by Jason Theuma.

The two sides seemed more aggressive after the break and both produced more actions at the two ends of the field. On 47 minutes St Lawrence’s central defender Daniel Micallef clear off the fatal line an effort by Sannat’s debutant Ajibade Adesina addressed to an open goal. Ten minutes later the Spurs also lost a good scoring opportunity when Jason Theuma concluded wide from close distance following an inviting cross by Charlon Tabone. Sannat regained the lead on 59 minutes when Sannat’s defence cleared badly a corner kick by Mark Muscat and Ajibade Adesina lobbed towards the far post from an angled position. Once again St Lawrence had an immediate reaction and one minute later Mohammed Senussi Telessi made it 2-2 with a header on the run following a cross from the right flank by Charlon Tabone. On 88 minutes St Lawrence’s keeper Elliott Fenech was at the right place to save a low shot by Mark Muscat after receiving from Antoine Camilleri. The match seemed heading towards extra time but on 88 minutes St Lawrence’s Charlon Tabone defended well a ball on the right flank and from his cross Mohammed Senussi Telessi headed in goal with a fine header and the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.

Referee: Paul Toledo
Photo: Anaca Photography