Kercem Back in the Reckoning

GFA BOV GFL Division I
Gozo Stadium

Kercem A: 3       (E. Vella 22’, 71’; T. Grozev 35’)

Vella, O. Spiteri, P. Kyumyurdzhiev, M. Tabone, M. Mifsud (L. Grima), J.P. Mizzi, P. Taylor, A. Mizzi (J. Buttigieg), E. Vella, O. Rolovic, T. Grozev.

SK Victoria W: 1       (M. Raskovic 3’)

Vella, D. Mercieca, A.G. Attard, S.F. Bajada, P. Dordevic, I. Xuereb, I. Grkajac, M. Raskovic, S. Harland, J. Attard (C. Sciortino).

Kercem Ajax recovered from three consecutive defeats and earned the full points at stake from their match against SK Victoria Wanderers.  With the points obtained Kercem moved to the fourth place on the table and re-opened their chances to join the challenge for the title.  Kercem’s win was well deserved as they recovered from a difficult start and dominated over their opponents for more than an hour of the match.  Kercem were well organised at their defence and very effective with their play on the flanks particularly through the initiatives by Elton Vella who marked an excellent performance by scoring two of the three goals and also provided the pass for the other goal scored by his side.  The Wanderers on the other hand disappointed in this match and continued to show lack of consistency in their performances.  The Citizens needed a win form this encounter to take a mid-table position at the expense of the same Kercem but despite their positive start they faded away as soon as they conceded the equaliser so that they became demoralised and continued to suffer from Kercem’s play until the end of the match.

Kercem could have scored an early goal but Trayo Grozev’s lob after twenty seconds of play ended wide.  The Wanderers managed to open the score in their first attempt inside Kercem’s area.  In the third minute of play Igor Grkajac unmarked Milanko Raskovic and the latter fired in goal from an angled position.  Kercem’s reaction was sterile and on 13 minutes the Wanderers went close to double the score when Kercem’s rear guard failed to clear the ball from the goalmouth following a corner kick by Igor Grkajac.  The ball fell to Milanko Raskovic who hit badly from close distance so that the action ended into another corner.  Kercem started to take command of play in the midfield and on 17 minutes they threatened Victoria’s defence through a shot by Jean Paul Mizzi that ended high.  Two minutes later Trayo Grozev passed inside Victoria’s area to Elton Vella but the latter had his attempt well saved by goalie Matthew Vella.  Kercem however levelled the score on 22 minutes through a fine curling shot by Elton Vella that ended out of the reach of Victoria’s keeper.  The Ajax were now in the driving seat as the Wanderers continued to concede pressure.  On 27 minutes Victoria’s keeper Matthew Vella saved with the aid of the crossbar a shot cross by Elton Vella and on 35 minutes the Ajax turned the result in their favour when Elton Vella released Trayo Grozev following a personal action on the right flank and the Bulgarian striker fired in goal with a low shot.  Kercem could have added another goal on 40 minutes when Ognjen Rolovic took the ball from Victoria’s defence but he failed to conclude in goal when he was face to face with the goalkeeper as the latter managed to block the danger.  From the resultant action goalie Matthew Vella once again denied Kercem from scoring by saving the attempt by Trayo Grozev.

Victoria tried to produce a reaction after the break but they ended up exposing their rear guard and Kercem took advantage so that they continued to produce more dangerous actions.  In the first minute of play of the second period Victoria’s goalie Matthew Vella saved a shot by Andrew Mizzi.  The Wanderers replied one minute later through a shot by Predrag Dordevic that ended wide and on 50 minutes Kercem’s Trayo Grozev took the ball from Victoria’s possession in the midfield but his lob addressed to the far post was neutralised by goalie Matthew Vella.  Two minutes later Elton Vella entered Victoria’s area with a personal action but his final shot ended wide and on 54 minutes Victoria’s keeper was called to make another good intervention to neutralise a strike by Andrew Mizzi.  One minute after the hour mark the same goalkeeper saved a shot from long distance by Ognjen Rolovic while the Wanderers replied on 67 minutes through a shot by Predrag Dordevic that was well saved by goalie Franklin Vella.  Kercem practically sealed the victory with the third goal scored on 71 minutes through a direct free kick by Elton Vella.  Victoria’s best opportunity to re-open the issue arrived on 82 minutes through a close ranged attempt by Sam Harland following a personal action that was saved to a corner by goalie Franklin Vella.

Referee: Esther Azzopardi