Sannat, Gharb Remain Joint Leaders

GFA BOV GFL DIVISION I
Kercem Ajax Stadium

Sannat L: 1       (A. Adesina 39’)
Brignoli, J. Buttigieg, O. Xuereb (K. Bonnici), F. Xuereb, J. Agius, N. Micallef, M. Muscat, D.U. Monday, A. Camilleri, A. Adesina, S. Baala.

Gharb R: 1       (S. Fidelis 18’)
Mercieca, R. Vella, M. Vella, J. Azzopardi, C. Attard, D. Bellotti, J. Muscat (R. Zammit), J. Camenzuli, C. Gafa’, P.A. Attard, S. Fidelis.

The top of the table clash of the lower category ended in a draw of two goals so that Sannat Lions and Gharb Rangers remain co-leaders and the only two undefeated sides of the category.  The match confirmed that the two sides are the main contenders for promotion.  They produced offensive play and they both showed their strength at their respective defensive departments.  With this result Gharb Rangers and Sannat Lions ended with first round with a comfortable four point lead over the other serious contenders for promotion St Lawrence Spurs.

Sannat almost scored an early goal but Omar Xuereb’s direct free kick on the third minute of play ended high.  Gharb were awarded a penalty on 7 minutes for a foul by Justin Agius on Paul Anthony Attard but Gharb’s Saviour Fidelis concluded wide with his shot form the spot kick.  On 14 minutes Sannat’s Nicholas Micallef had a good shot that was well saved by Gharb’s goalie Nicholas Mercieca.  Gharb opened the score four minutes later through a low shot by Saviour Fidelis following a personal action.  Sannat were not demoralised and on 27 minutes they went close to scoring through a header by Justin Agius from a corner kick by Josiah Buttigieg that was saved with difficulty by goalie Nicholas Mercieca.  The same goalkeeper was called to make another difficult intervention three minutes later when he managed to save in two attempts a good shot by Ajibade Adesina.  On 34 minutes Gharb failed to capitalise from an indirect free kick inside Sannat’s area following a back pass by the defence to the goalkeeper and three minutes later Gharb’s goalie Nicholas Mercieca made an important intervention when he stopped a cross by Antoine Camilleri addressed to an unmarked Sunday Baala.  Sannat levelled the score on 39 minutes when Gharb’s defence did not manage to clear the ball from the area following a corner kick by Omar Xuereb and Ajibade Adesina fired in goal from close distance.

Sannat were dangerous on 47 minutes through a shot by Josiah Buttigieg that ended wide.  As time passed by during the second period Gharb saw more of the ball but they found it extremely difficult to convert their play into good scoring opportunities.  Sannat defended well and produced more danger through counter breaks.  On 66 minutes Antoine Camilleri entered Gharb’s territory but his final shot was saved in two attempts by goalie Nicholas Mercieca.  Two minutes later a shot by Mark Muscat ended just high and Gharb’s best scoring opportunity arrived on 85 minutes through a personal effort by Paul Anthony Attard that was saved well by goalie Angelo Brignoli.  Sannat could have clinched the victory on 89 minutes but Sunday Baala had a low shot from a good position after receiving from Antoine Camilleri that ended just wide.

Referee: Alex Johnson