GFA Division II KO Q/final
Kercem Ajax Stadium
St Lawrence S : 1 (M.S. Telessi 1’)
Lu. Buttigieg Lo. Buttigieg, K. Hili, J. Theuma (S. Dimech), M.S. Telessi, C. Cauchi, C. Azzopardi (S. Cauchi), J. Grima, D. Micallef, C. Farrugia (S. Mizzi), L. Attard.
Sannat L : 2 (A. Camilleri 21’, F. Xuereb 72’)
O. Attard, F. Xuereb, F. Camilleri, D. Borg (J. Bonnici), S. Sultana, J. Agius, M. Portelli, O. Farrugia, A. Camilleri, M. Muscat, F. Kosova (J. Zammit).
St Lawrence Spurs and Sannat Lions, who are both aiming to be serious challengers for promotion, were also aiming to earn qualification to the semi-final of the second most important competition for the lower category. The match therefore turned out into an interesting encounter where the qualification remained at stake until the final whistle. St Lawrence had an excellent start and during the opening stages they opened the score and created some other opportunities where they could have increased their lead. However, Sannat recovered from a difficult moment and levelled the score before the end of the first half. During the second period Sannat created the better scoring opportunities and m managed to turn the result in their favour to earn the right to play the first semi-final match of the competition against Xaghra United.
The Spurs came out very aggressive and after just thirty five seconds of play Mohammed Senussi Telessi had a fine shot that was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Owen Attard. From the resultant corner kick by Charlon Farrugia, Sannat’s defence failed to clear the ball from the goal mouth and Mohammed Senussi Telessi took the ball and fired in goal from close distance. Sannat seemed shocked and continued to suffer St Lawrence’s play. On six minutes Sannat’s keeper Owen Attard was called to make a good intervention to deny Kenny Hili form scoring and less than a minute later the same goalkeeper made a difficult save following another good attempt by Kenny Hili. St Lawrence almost doubled the score on 12 minutes but a shot by Luke Attard was stopped by the post. Sannat’s first attempt at St Lawrence’s goal arrived on 16 minutes but an effort by Fabian Xuereb when the goalkeeper was out of his position ended wide. Sannat levelled the score on 21 minutes when Aaron Camilleri produced a personal action from the right flank and netted with a low drive. The Spurs however regain some territorial supremacy during the remaining minutes of the first half. On 27 minutes Sannat’s keeper Owen Attard made another good save to turn to a corner a close ranged shot by Mohammed Senussi Telessi. The same Telessi had another effort two minutes later through a header following a cross by Christian Azzopardi that was neutralised by goalie Owen Attard. St Lawrence’s Libyan striker went again close to scoring on 40 minutes but his shot form an ideal position ended wide. Sannat’s best scoring opportunity before the end of the first half arrived three minutes later through a shot by Franci Kosova that ended over the crossbar.
After the resumption Sannat seemed in a better shape. They were well organised at their defence and operated dangerous breaks throughout the second half of the encounter. On 48 minutes Sannat’s Antoine Camilleri produced a personal action and entered St Lawrence’s area but his final shot was weak and goalie Luke Buttigieg saved without difficulty. Four minutes later Sannat’s Oliver Farrugia had a first timer from a free kick by Matthew Portelli that missed the target and on the hour mark St Lawrence’s goalie Luke Buttigieg made a difficult save to deny Sannat’s Antoine Camilleri from scoring. Sannat were again dangerous on 63 minutes through a header by Fabian Xuereb that ended wide and on 68 minutes St Lawrence’s goalie Luke Buttigieg blocked a close ranged header by Antoine Camilleri following a corner kick by Matthew Portelli and from the rebound Sannat’s substitute Joseph Bonnici failed to hit the ball into goal. Sannat continued to create danger within St Lawrence’s area and on 71 minutes a header by Sannat’s Fabian Xuereb from a corner kick by Matthew Portelli was cleared off the fatal line by defender Christian Azzopardi and from the rebound Joseph Bonnici’s header was turned to a corner with the aid of the post by St Lawrence’s keeper. Sannat however turned the result in their favour form the resultant corner action taken by Matthew Portelli, which arrived to an unmarked Fabian Xuereb who headed in goal from close distance. For the remaining minutes of the match St Lawrence’s reaction was sterile as Sannat protected their area so that they managed to defend their one goal lead until the final whistle.
Referee: Ray Tabone
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