St Lawrence Spurs obtain a close win over Xaghra

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
Kerċem Ajax Stadium

St Lawrence S : 2 (C. Farruigia 48’, 50’)

N. Mercieca, L. Buttigieg (S. Mizzi), K. Hili, J. Theuma (S. Dimech), M.S. Telessi, C. Cauchi, C. Azzopardi, J. Grima, D. Micallef, C. Farrugia, L. Attard.

Xaghra U : 1 (M.D. Glodi 72’)

F. Azzopardi, S. Sultana, M. Galea, J. Mercieca, D. Bajada (O. Pogukay), S. Galea, A. Xiberras (L. Attard), J. Bajada (P.J. Mifsud), G. Farrugia, M.D. Glodi, M. Grima.

St Lawrence Spurs started their commitments in the second round of the campaign on a positive note as they earned the three points from a win 2-1 win over Xaghra United.  The two sides were aiming to win this encounter as the Spurs were aiming to remain close to the top positions while Xaghra need points to move away from the lower part of the table.  Xaghra expressed the better play during the first period but they failed to capitalise from their best scoring opportunities so that they suffered St Lawrence’s play during the second period.  The Spurs took a two goal lead at an early stage of the second period but did not manage to convert their superiority into more goals so that during the final stages of the encounter they suffered Xaghra’s reaction and were forced to defend their one goal lead with difficulty.

The Spurs could have created a dangerous action in the second minute of play but Mohammed Senussi Telessi failed to conclude at goal from an ideal position.  On 10 minutes Xaghra had an attempt through Johann Bajada following a cross by Gabriel Farrugia that ended wide and in the following minutes St Lawrence’s keeper Nicholas Mercieca was called to make difficult intervention to punch away the ball from the line following two separate corner kicks in separate occasions.  The Spurs operated a good action on 25 minutes but a goal by Mohammed Senussi Telessi was disallowed for an offside position.  Four minutes later Xaghra’s Daniel Glodi had a low shot that was blocked by goalie Nicholas Mercieca and on 32 minutes St Lawrence’s central defender Daniel Micallef made an excellent intervention to deny Johann Bajada from concluding towards an open goal.  Three minutes later a shot by Xaghra’s Gabriel Farrugia had an attempt that was blocked by defender Daniel Micallef among protest from Xaghra’s players for a penalty alleging handling by St Lawrence’s player.  On 43 minutes Xaghra had a goal by Daniel Glodi that was disallowed for an offside infringement and the same striker could put his side in the lead in the second minute of stoppage time before half time but his close ranged attempt was blocked by St Lawrence’s keeper.

After the resumption St Lawrence took command of play and on 48 minutes they also opened the score through a strike from outside the area by Charlon Farrugia that was out of the reach of the goalkeeper.  Xaghra continued to suffer the pressure and two minutes later the same Charlon Farrugia surprised Xaghra’s keeper directly from a free kick.  On 52 minutes Xaghra’s keeper Frankie Azzopardi was called to make a difficult intervention following a shot by Jason Theuma.  In another occasion four minutes later the same Jason Theuma could have increased the lead for his side but he incredibly concluded wide when he was face to face with the goalkeeper.  On 57 minutes St Lawrence’s Mohammed Senussi Telessi had a goal that was disallowed for an offside infringement, and the same striker had a good effort on 69 minutes after receiving from Jason Theuma that was deflected to a corner by Xaghra’s defence.  Two minutes later Mohammed Senussi Telessi had another opportunity to score the third goal for the Spurs but his close ranged attempt following some hesitation by Xaghra’s defence to clear the danger ended just wide.  Xaghra managed to reduce the deficit on 72 minutes through a strike by Maviluka Daniel Glodi following a personal initiative.  The Spurs tried to regain the two-goal lead and on 82 minutes substitute Steve Dimech headed wide following a cross by Kenny Hili.  On 86 minutes Xaghra’s defender Savio Galea kept his side in contention when he managed to deny Mohammed Senussi Telessi from concluding a personal action into an open goal.  Xaghra increased their efforts during the dying moments of the encounter and on 90 minutes a close ranged header by Gabriel Farrugia following a corner kick by Joseph Mercieca was saved with difficulty to a corner by goalie Nicholas Mercieca.  In the fourth minute of stoppage time Xaghra protested for a penalty when Xaghra’s striker Daniel Glodi ended on the floor in the area following a challenge by Christian Azzopardi following a melee in front of St Lawrence’s goalmouth so that the score remained unchanged.

Referee: Dorian Caruana