Wanderers, Oratory Share the Spoils

GFA BOV GFL Division I
Gozo Stadium

SK Victoria W: 1       (I. Xuereb 20’)

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

Oratory Y: 1       (K. Farrugia 64’)

Camilleri, K. Borg, J.P. Longarela, M. Gauci, B.P. Longarela, K. Farrugia, B. Perello Palou (K. Grima), A. Debrincat (J. Bonnici), D. Azzopardi (J. Attard), I. Dolara, M. Buttigieg.

The third derby match of the first round of the championship, between SK Victoria Wanderers and Oratory Youths, ended in a draw as happened in the other two derby matches where the Wanderers and the Youths faced the other team from Victoria. This derby match disappointed in terms of quality of play and scoring opportunities so that the final result could be consider as just.  With this result, Oratory, who had striker Everton Felipe Da Silva Santos missing due to an injury, were more satisfied at the end of the encounter as they retained their three point lead over the same Wanderers and also defended their comfortable mid-table position on the table.  On the other hand the Wanderers missed the opportunity to win this match in an attempt to join the youths on equal points.  In this match the Wanderers once again failed to produce the good play expressed in the first matches of the championship and despite the fact that they opened the score and that they created more dangerous actions at goal they still did not manage to clinch the victory.

Play took place mainly in the midfield during the opening stages of the match as the two defensive departments prevailed over the respective strikers.  However, the Wanderers opened the score on 20 minutes when Igor Grkajac operated a personal action and from his pass Milanko Raskovic addressed to the far post.  The ball arrived to an unmarked Ian Xuereb who concluded ion goal with a tap-in.  Oratory tried to produce an immediate reaction and enjoyed territorial supremacy for most of the remaining minutes of the first half.  The Youths also went close to level the score on 36 minutes but a header by Inigo Dolara from a cross by Javier Polo Longarela ended just high.  Four minutes later the same Dolara had another attempt from an action that started form a throw-in that ended inches wide.

The Wanderers tried to put more pressure on Oratory’s defence after the break and went close to double the score on more than one occasion.  On 56 minutes a header by Milanko Raskovic following a cross by Igor Grkajac ended just wide and one minute later Igor Grkajac had a shot from an angled position that ended wide.  On 61 minutes a shot by Predrag Dordevic was easily saved by Oratory’s keeper Leonard Camilleri and the same goalkeeper kept his side in contention less than a minute later when he was at right place to neutralise an effort by Igor Grkajac.  The Wanderers were punished for the missed chances as Oratory levelled the score on 64 minutes when Bartoneu Perello Palou produced a good move from the right flank and from his low cross Keith Farrugia guided the ball in goal from close distance.  The Wanderers tried to regain command of play and on 71 minutes a shot by Milanko Raskovic was well saved by goalie Leonard Camilleri.  The Wanderers were again dangerous on 83 minutes but a free kick by Igor Grkajac was headed to a corner by central defender Javier Polo Longarela and one minute later Predrag Dordevic concluded weak from an ideal position after receiving from Milanko Raskovic so that the goalkeeper saved without any difficulty.  On 87 minutes Oratory were reduced to ten players when Borja Polo Longatrella was sent off for elbowing on Chris Sciortino but the final score remained unchanged.

Referee: Mario Apap