Handsome Win for St Lawrence

GFA BOV GFL Division II
Sannat Ground

Zebbug R                   :           2          (J. Debrincat 43’, E. Nkwocha 80’pen.)

1. Saliba, P. Cardona, G. Portelli (M. Formosa), P. Camilleri, A. Zammit (P. Falzon), C. Borg (A. Tabone), M. Cordina, J. Debrincat, O. Calleja, I. Igwemeke, E. Nkwocha.

St Lawrence S           :           4          (M.S. Telessi 10’, 47’; C. Mercieca 41’, J. Theuma 63’)

1. Fenech, Jo. Micallef, S. Mizzi (J. Grech), J. Theuma, M.S. Telessi, C. Cauchi, J. Grima, D. Micallef (Ju. Micallef), C. Mercieca, M. Mamo (S. Caruana), C. Tabone.

St Lawrence Spurs recovered from the disappointing result in their previous match and earned three precious points from a 4-2 win over Zebbug Rovers.  With this result St Lawrence are now joining Sannat Lions and Gharb Rangers at the top of the table and they are therefore serious challengers for promotion.  The Spurs deserved the full points at stake as they produced more offensive play and were also in control of the match for most of the ninety minutes.

The Spurs took command of play from the early stages of the encounter and in the opening minutes Christopher Cauchi failed to open the score on two separate occasions.  In the fifth minute of play Cauchi failed to connect to an inviting cross by Jonathan Micallef and two minutes later the same midfielder lifted over the crossbar from close distance a cross by Charlon Tabone.  St Lawrence opened the score on 10 minutes through a curling shot towards the far post by Mohammed Senussi Telessi following a personal action.  Zebbug replied three minutes later through a free kick by Manwel Cordina that was easily saved by goalie Elliott Fenech and on 27 minutes the Rovers went very close to scoring but Ikechulwu Igwemeke had his strike turned to a corner by goalie Elliott Fenech.  Zebbug were punished for the missed chances as the Spurs doubled the score on 41 minutes through a header by Charles Mercieca following a corner kick by James Grima.  However, Zebbug re’opened the issue two minutes later when Josef Debrincat entered the area from the right flank and fired in goal from an angled position.  In the second minute of stoppage time before half time St Lawrence went very close to regain the two-goal lead but a shot by Jonathan Micallef ended wide.

In the second minute of play of the second period St Lawrence scored their third goal through a close ranged shot by Mohammed Senussi Telessi and in the following minutes they continued to dictate matters.  On 50 minutes Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba saved with difficulty to a corner an effort by Jason Theuma.  On the hour mark Zebbug went close to reduce the deficit but Ikechukwu Igwemeke headed wide from a good position following a cross by substitute Patrick Falzon.  The Spurs scored their fourth goal three minutes later through a header by Jason Theuma following a corner kick by Jonathan Micallef.  Zebbug were demoralised and on 70 minutes goalie Baskal Saliba was called to make a good save to turn to a corner a close ranged shot by Christopher Cauchi.  In another corner action one minute later St Lawrence’s James Grima saw his attempt stopped by the crossbar.  The Rovers threatened St Lawrence’s rear guard on 77 minutes through a shot by Manwel Cordina that ended on the side of the net and two minutes later St Lawrence’s Christopher Cauchi had a good shot from close distance that ended just wide.  Zebbug scored their second goal on 80 minutes when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Jason Theuma on substitute Alfred Tabone and Ejofor Nkwocha converted from the spot kick.  Zebbug however did not manage to create further danger towards St Lawrence’s goal as the Spurs controlled their comfortable lead and went also close to score their fifth goal ion the second minute of stoppage time but a shot by substitute Sylvan Caruana was blocked by goalie Baskal Saliba.  In the fifth minute of stoppage time the two sides had a player each, St Lawrence’s Christopher Cauchi and Zebbug’s Philip Cardina, sent off by the referee for fighting.

Referee: George Portelli