St Lawrence Remain Leaders at the End of the Third Round

GFA BOV GFL Division II                                                                Kercem Ajax Stadium

St Lawrence S           :           5          (M.S. Telessi 9’, C. Mercieca 38’, M. Mamo 39’, C. Tabone 71’)

1. Fenech, L. Buttigieg, J. Micallef (S. Sultana), S. Mizzi (L. Attard), M. Mamo (C. Tabone), M.S. Telessi, C. Cauchi, J. Grima, J. Portelli, D. Micallef, C. Mercieca.

Zebbug R                   :           0

1. Saliba, G. Portelli, P. Camilleri, C. Borg, J. Debrincat (J. Azzopardi), J. Vieira Peixoto, O. Calleja, A. Tabone, C. Vella, E. Nkwocha, L. Pisani.

St Lawrence Spurs ended the third round on a positive note and obtained the full points at stake from their match against Zebbug Rovers.  With this result the Spurs made sure of ending the third round at the top of the table and therefore will start the fourth and final round of the campaign among the serious challengers for promotions.  St Lawrence paved the way to the comfortable win with three goals scored during the first period.

St Lawrence had the wind blowing in their favour during the first half and as a result it became easier for them to put pressure on their opponents.  The Spurs almost opened the score in the fourth minute of play but a free kick by Jason Portelli hit the post.  One minute later Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba left his position in time to block an effort by Christopher Cauchi.  St Lawrence opened the score in the ninth minute through a header by Mohammed Senussi Telessi following a cross by Jonathan Portelli.  Zebbug continued to suffer pressure and one minute later an attempt by Marlon Mamo ended wide.  On 19 minutes Zebbug created some danger inside St Lawrence’s area but a cross by Juan Vieira Peixoto address towards Christian Vella was cleared form the goal mouth by Daniel Micallef.  On 25 minutes St Lawrence’s Marlon Mamo had a low shot following a personal action that was partially saved by goalie Baskal Saliba and form the rebound a back heel by Jason Portelli was neutralized by the same goalkeeper.  Two minutes later Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba saved in two attempts another shot by Marlon Mamo and on 38 minutes St Lawrence doubled the score when a shot by Jason Portelli was partially saved by goalie Baskal Saliba and from the rebound Charles Mericeca concluded in goal from close distance.  One minute later the Spurs added another goal when goalie Baskal Saliba once again saved but did not hold a shot by Mohammed Senussi Tellessi following a personal action and form the rebound Marlon Mamo pushed the ball into an open goal.  The same Mamo could have scored another goal on 42 mintes but his attempt from an angled position hit the post.

After the break Zebbug tried to produce a reaction with the aids oif the weather conditions and during the opening minutes of the second half they could have reduced the deficit.  On 53 minutes a strike by Lauran Pisani was saved in two attempts by goalie Elliott Fenech and the same goalkeeper was at the right place on 56 minutes to neutralize a low shot by Ejofor Nkwocha.  Zebbug were again denied form scoring one minute later when goalie Elliott Fenech turned to a corner with some difficulty a shot from outside the area by Juan Vieira Peixoto.  On 70 minutes St Lawrence’s Mohammed Senussi Telessi entered Zebbug’s territory with a counter break but his low shot was blocked by goalie Baskal Saliba.  However, one minute later the Spurs scored their fourth goal when Mohammed Senussi Telessi released substitute Charlon Tabone inside the area and the latter concluded in goal from close distance.  On 76 minutes an attempt directly from a corner by Zebbug’s Omar Calleja was saved to another corner by goalie Elliott Fenech and two minutes later Zebbug’s goalie Baskal Saliba blocked two consecutive attempts form close distance by Mohammed Senussi Telessi and from the same action a shot by substitute Luke Attard was blocked to a corner by Zebbug’s defense.  On 90 minutes St Lawrence’s Charlon Tabone had a low shot that was stopped by the post.  The Saints sealed the victory with the fifth goal that arrived in the second minute of stoppage time when Jason Portelli unmarked Mohammed Senussi Telessi inside the area and the latter concluded in goal with a low shot.

Referee: Paul Apap