Sannat back to winning ways

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium

Sannat L : 3 (O. Farrugia 16’, 81’; F. Kosova 90+2’)

A. Brignoli, F. Xuereb, F. Camilleri (J. Bonnici), D. Borg (J. Zammit), S. Sultana, J. Agius, M. Portelli, N. Micallef, O. Farrugia (I. Mampalao), M. Muscat, F. Kosova.

St Lawrence S : 1 (C. Farrugia 65’pen.)

G. Micallef, L. Buttigieg, M. Vasiljevic, K.J. Hili, C. Cauchi, C. Azzopardi, J. Grima (S. Mizzi), S. Cauchi (J. Theuma), C. Farrugia, L. Pisani, L. Attard.

Sannat Lions recovered from two consecutive defeats and re-opened their chances to be among the challengers for promotion with a 3-1 win over St Lawrence Spurs.  This match was a direct clash between two teams aiming to take the runners up position on the table and as a result the encounter turned out to be balanced for most of the time.  St Lawrence missed the absence of their prolific striker Mohammed Senussi Tellessi, due to an injury, and therefore they found it difficult to convert their play into dangerous attempts at their opponent’s goal.  On the other hand Sannat seemed determined to make up for the disappointment in their previous matches and practically earned the victory when they scored the two decisive goal during the final stages of the encounter.

The Spours went close to score an early goal but in the second minute of play a header by Christopher Cauchi ended just wide.  Sannat opened the score on 16 minutes through a strike by Oliver Farrugia that surprised goalie Godwin Micallef.  St Lawrence’s reaction was sterile and their first serious attempt at Sannat’s goal arrived on 33 minutes through an effort by Charlon Farrugia that was neutralised by goalie Angelo Brignoli.

Play became much more adventurous after the break as the Spurs increased their efforts while Sannat defended well and operated with counter breaks.  On the hour mark Sannat could have doubled the score but Franci Kosova incredibly conclude wide from a good position following an inviting cross by substitute Joseph Bonnici.  Three minutes later St Lawrence’s Milos Vasiljevic had a shot that was well saved by goalie Angelo Brignoli and on 65 minutes the Spurs were awarded a penalty for handling by Daniel Borg following a cross by substitute Jason Theuma and Charlon Farrugia made it 1-1 with his shot form the spot kick.  St Lawrence tried to turn the result in their favour but the closest that they went to scoring was on 74 minutes through a shot by Kenny Hili from an ideal position that was saved without difficulty by goalie Angelo Brignoli.  Sannat regained the lead on 81 minutes when a low cross by substitute Joseph Zammit arrived to an unmarked Oliver Farrugia inside St Lawrence’s area and the latter fired towards the lower corner of goal.  Sannat were in the driving seat for the final minutes and became more dangerous with their counter breaks as the Spurs pushed all their players in attack in an attempt to save the result.  On 87 minutes Sannat’s Franci Kosova could have scored another goal but as soon as he arrived face to face with St Lawrence’s keeper, following a personal action, the striker concluded badly and the keeper saved in two attempts.  St Lawrence’s keeper Godwin Micallef once again kept his side ion contention with a fine intervention one minute later to save a free kick by Joseph Zammit but in the third minute of stoppage time Sannat sealed the victory with the third goal when a low shot by substitute Isaac Mampalao was partially saved by goalie Godwin Micallef and form the rebound Franci Kosova deposited the ball into an open goal.

Referee: Etienne Mangion