Sannat Lions move to five points clear from closest rivals

by | Nov 10, 2019 | 19/20, Match Report, News

DETAILS

BOV Gozo Football League Division II MD 5
Kercem Ajax Stadium – 9 November 2019

Sannat Lions FC : 3
Oratory Youths FC : 1

30’ (1-0) Ebube Ralph Okpokwu
77’ (2-0) Joseph Zammit
85’ (3-0) penalty Antoine Camilleri
90+1’ (3-1) Justin Azzopardi

Sannat L:

Muscat, J. Azzopardi, C. Gafa, C. Debono, A. Camilleri, C. Vella, J. Zammit, E.R. Okpokwu, M. Mifsud, J. Buttigieg, F.J. Xuereb.

Oratory Y:

Sammut, M. Ciangura, J. Azzopardi, E. Buttigieg, Ju. Attard (K. Farrugia), B. Perello Palou, D. Azzopardi, E. Gauci (M. Zammit), S. Azzopardi, C. Borg, P. Rapa (S. Curmi).

Referee: Ryan Caruana

SUMMARY

In the main match from Match-Day 5 of the campaign, which is also the last Match-Day of the first round, leaders Sannat Lions obtained a convincing 3-1 win over second placed Oratory Youths so that with the points obtained they consolidated their sole leadership and remained on maximum points.  The match was a direct clash between two sides who were still undefeated in the league. Sannat had a two goal lead of the Youths and therefore the latter had an extra motivation to obtain the win in an attempt to move over the same Sannat on the table.

The match for most of the time was well contested and as a result the scoring opportunities at the two ends of the field were quite rare.  The Youths held the initiative of play during the opening half an hour but they conceded Sannat’s first goal against the run of play. After the break Oratory struggled to recover the deficit while Sannat showed more experience as they controlled play, protected their area and punished their opponents with two more goals scored in the final stages of the encounter.  The outcome of this direct clash indicates that Sannat are hot favourites to win the title of the category and to earn promotion for the top flight next season. 

TIMELINE

During the first minutes of play Sannat tried to impose an offensive approach but Oratory were well deployed and as time passed by the Youths held territorial supremacy and produced more pressure on Sannat’s rear guard.

21’ Oratory went close to open the score when Sannat’s goalie punched a free kick by Bartomeu Perello Palou and Oratory’s Marco Ciangura head towards goal but the ball hit the crossbar and the defence managed to clear the danger with some difficulty.

30’ (1-0) Sannat took the lead when a free kick from long distance by Christian Debono arrived to Ebube Ralph Okpokwu who managed to kick towards goal when the goalkeeper was out of his position and the ball ended in the net.

31’ Oratory were shocked and Sannat could have doubled the score through a lob by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu when the goalkeeper left his goal unattended but the ball ended wide.

33’ The Youths replied through a strike by Paul Rapa that ended just high.

38’ Sannat were again dangerous through a header by Joseph Zammit following a free kick by Joseph Azzopardi that ended just over the crossbar.

HT (1-0)

 

For the second period Oratory increased their efforts in an attempt to clinch the equaliser but they found it extremely difficult to convert their territorial supremacy into good scoring opportunities.

58’ Sannat’s goalie Matthew Muscat was called to make a good save to punch away a free kick from long distance by Marco Ciangura.

65’ Oratory should have capitalised better when Bartomeu Perello Palou passed to Eric Gauci inside Sannat’s area but the latter hit badly and from the resultant melee Chris Borg failed to conclude towards goal from close distance and goalie Matthew Muscat managed to block the danger.

70’ Sannat replied through a free kick from an angled position by Christian Debono but the l

Ball passed in front of Oratory’s goal and ended just wide.

77’ (2-0) Sannat doubled the score when Ebube Ralph Okpokwu released Joseph Zammit in a counter break and the latter entered Oratory’s area and placed in goal with a low drive.

84’ Sannat were again dangerous when Fabian Xuereb took the clearance from Oratory’s defence from a corner action and from his cross a close ranged attempt by Joseph Zammit was saved to a corner with difficulty by goalie Richard Sammut.

85’ (3-0) penalty – Sannat practically made sure of the win when Ebube Ralph Okpokwu entered Oratory’s area with a personal action but was floored by defender Samuel Azzopardi.  The referee awarded a penalty and Antoine Camilleri converted from the spot kick.

89’ Sannat went close to add another goal but an effort by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu from a good position was saved by Oratory’s keeper Richard Sammut.

90+1’ (3-1) Oratory scored their consolation goal through an excellent strike from outside the area by Justin Azzopardi that ended out of the reach of Sannat’s keeper.

90+2’ Oratory were again dangerous but a shot from a good position by Marco Ciangura ended just over Sannat’s goal.

FT (3-1)

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