GFA BOV GFL Division I
Sannat Ground
Kercem A : 3 (P. Taylor 6’ pen., T. Grozev 22;, J. Buttigieg 84’)
Vella, P. Kyumyurdzhiev, M. Tabone, M. Mifsud (L. Grima), O. Spiteri, P. Taylor, J.P. Mizzi, E. Vella (A. Buttigieg), A. Mizzi (J. Buttigieg), N. Bahiya, T. Grozev.
Oratory Y : 0
Camilleri, K. Borg (D. Azzopardi), J.P. Longarela, M. Gauci, K. Farrugia, B. Perello Palou, J. Attard, I. Dolara, M. Buttigieg, E. Nwankwo (S. Saliba), J. Bonnici (K. Grima).
Kercem Ajax confirmed their good moment of form and started the second round with a comfortable win over Oratory Youths. With the points obtained the Ajax are now with the teams at the upper part of the table and among the contenders for the title. Kercem paved the way to the victory with two goals that arrived during the first quarter of the match. Kercem controlled play and Oratory’s reaction during the early stages of the second period so that the victory was never in contention. Kercem were often erratic in their finishing and the victory could have been with a larger margin. In this match Oratory, who had positive performances during the matches of the first round, found it difficult to control Kercem’s play. The Youths also found it difficult to operate their usual play in the absence of striker Everton Felipe Da Silva Santos, who is injured, and Borja Polo Longarela, who was missing due to a suspension.
Kercem had an excellent start and in the fourth minute of play they were awarded a penalty for a foul by goalie Leonard Camilleri on Nelson Bahiya. Philip Taylor opened the score with his shot from the spot kick and in the following minutes Oratory’s immediate reaction was sterile. The Youths went closest to scoring on 15 minutes but a header by Inigo Dolara ended just wide. Kercem could have doubled the score one minute later but Nelson Bahiya incredibly concluded high from an ideal position after receiving in the area from Trayo Grozev. However, the Ajax increased their lead on 22 minutes when Trayo Grozev received a through pass and came to face with the goalkeeper, and the Bulgarian striker netted with a low shot. Minutes later Kercem’s Nelson Bahiya had a good attempt that ended high and Oratory’s best opportunity to re-open the issue arrived on 41 minutes when Manuel Buttigieg tried to pass inside the area with a personal action but ended on the floor following a challenge with an opponent. The ball arrived to debutant Eric Nwankwo who had his close ranged shot saved to a corner with difficulty by goalie Franklin Vella. In the first minute of stoppage time before half time Kercem had a goal by Trayo Grozev that was disallowed for an offside infringement.
The Ajax could have added another goal in the first action of play of the second period. After thirty seconds Nelson Bahiya entered Oratory’s area but concluded on the side of the net from close distance. As time passed by Oratory increased their efforts and for some minutes they managed to keep some pressure on Kercem’s defence. On 52 minutes Kercem’s goalie Franklin Vella was well placed and saved a good effort by Bartomeu Perello Palou. Kercem however continued to produce more dangerous play as regained command of play. On 57 minutes a shot by Jean Paul Mizzi ended away from Oratory’s goal and in another occasion on 68 minutes Kercem’s substitute Joshua Buttigieg failed to connect to an inviting low cross by Trayo Grozev. On 72 minutes the same Buttigieg receiving a through pass from the midfield by Elton Vella but Oratory’s goalie Leonard Camilleri had good timing and left his position to clear the danger before the young striker could hit towards the target. Kercem scored their third goal on 84 minutes through a tap-in by Joshua Buttigieg following a low cross by Trayo Grozev. In the first minute of stoppage time the same Bulgarian striker entered Oratory’s area with a personal action but concluded towards the far post, despite having the support of an unmarked Joshua Buttigieg, and the ball ended wide.
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Photos: Anaca Photography
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