Gharb Win Direct Clash for Promotion Against Sannat

GFA BOV GFL Division II                                                                            Sannat Ground

Sannat L        :           1          (A. Adesina 77’)

1. Brignoli, J. Buttigieg, F. Xuereb (K. Bonnici), D.U. Monday, J. Agius, N. Micallef, A. Debono, A. Adesina, S. Baala, M. Muscat, D. Borg.

Għarb R         :           2          (A. Ofulue 41’, O. Farrugia 75’)

1. Spiteri, J. Azzopardi, M. Vella, C. Gafa’, P.A. Attard, J. Portelli (J. Camenzuli), Cr. Attard, R. Grech, J. Muscat, O. Farrugia, A. Ofulue.

In the most important match of the last match-day from the third round of the campaign, Gharb Rangers obtained a decisive win over Sannat Lions with the odd goal from three so that they remain co-leaders with St Lawrence Spurs.  This was Sannat’s second consecutive defeat within four days and with this result they practically compromised their chances to be among the challengers for promotion.  Sannat are now seven points away from the front runners with five more matches until the end of the campaign.  In this match Gharb seemed more motivated and held command of play for most of the encounter.  However, Sannat defended well and created some danger within Gharb’s territory so that the final score remained uncertain until the final whistle.

The Rangers created the first scoring opportunity of the encounter on 13 minutes through a shot by Andrew Ofulue that ended just wide.  Sannat replied five minutes later through a low shot by Sunday Baala that was well saved by goalie Daniel Spiteri and on 24 minutes Gharb had a direct free kick by Justin Azzopardi that ended just over the crossbar.  Sannat were again dangerous on 29 minutes through a shot from long distance by Sunday Baala that ended high and on 34 minutes Andrew Ofulue entered Sannat’s area with a personal action but his attempt was well saved by goalie Angelo Brignoli.  Gharb however managed to open the score on 41 minutes when Sannat’s rear guard failed to clear the ball from the goalmouth following a cross form the right flank by Paul Anthony Attard and Andrew Ofulue lobbed into an open goal from the resultant melee.  Sannat could have levelled the score during the first minute of stoppage time before half time but an attempt from a good position by Daniel Borg was deflected by the defence and the ball ended in a corner.

After the break Gharb were more cautious as they tried to protect their lead as Sannat struggled to produce pressure in an attempt to recover the deficit.  On 59 minutes Sannat created a good scoring opportunity from a corner kick by Ajibade Adesina but Justin Agius’ header ended just high.  Two minutes later Sannat’s Daniel Borg had a good shot after receiving from Ajibade Adesina that was saved by Gharb’s keeper Daniel Spiteri and on 66 minutes Gharb had an attempt from a free kick by Justin Azzopardi that was saved by goalie Angelo Brignoli.  Gharb doubled the score on 75 minutes through a fine header by Oliver Farrugia following a cross from the right flank by Paul Anthony Attard.  Sannat re-opened the issue two minutes later when Gharb’s goalie Daniel Spiteri cleared badly a cross from the right due to a challenge from an opponent and from the resultant action within the area Ajibade Adesina fired in goal from close distance.  For the rest of the encounter Gharb managed to keep their area clear from danger and could have also made sure of the victory on 86 minutes but a good attempt by Josef Muscat from an angled position was well saved by Sannat’s goalie Angelo Brignoli.

Referee: Darko Stankovic