Sannat remain the main challengers to the leaders

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium

St. Lawrence S : 0 

Lu. Buttigieg, S. Mizzi, Lo. Buttigieg, K. Hili, J. Theuma, M. S. Telessi, J. Grima, D. Micallef, C. Farrugia, L. Pisani, L. Attard (C. Tabone).

Sannat L : 2 (A. Camilleri 5’, M. Portelli 27’)

O. Attard, F. Xuereb, F. Camilleri, D. Borg (J. Buttigieg), J. Bonnici, J. Agius, M. Portelli, O. Farrugia (J. Zammit), A. Camilleri, M. Muscat, F. Kosova.

Sannat Lions earned three precious points form their match against St Lawrence Spurs and they are now the main challengers for the title and promotion to the current leaders Munxar Falcons.  This match was considered as a direct clash where the two sides needed the three points to retain their chances to challenge for promotion.  With this result St Lawrence fell behind the teams at the upper part of the table and practically lost their opportunity to re-join the race for the title.  Sannat deserved the victory.  They paved the way to the positive result with two goals scored during the first half and administered play throughout the second period.

During the opening minutes Sannat surprised their opponents with their aggressive play and opened the score in the fifth minute of play when Antoine Camilleri operated a personal action, came face to face with St Lawrence’s goalie who left his position in an attempt to block the danger, and the striker lobbed into an open goal.  The Spurs replied on 14 minutes through a shot by Jason Theuma following a cross from the by Kenny Hili that ended wide.  Four minutes later Sannat’s goalie Owen Attard left his position in time to block to a corner an effort by Mohammed Senussi Telessi.  On 23 minutes St Lawrence’s keeper Luke Buttigieg was well placed to save an attempt by Fabian Xuereb who was unmarked in the area by Franci Kosova.  Sannat doubled the score on 27 minutes when St Lawrence’s defence and the goalkeeper were surprised by Matthew Portelli’s direct corner kick.  Sannat could have added another goal on 31 minutes when Antoine Camilleri entered the area with a personal action but goalie Luke Buttigieg took the ball in time before the striker could conclude in goal.  In the following minutes Sannat’s Antoine Camilleri and Franci Kosova both had efforts blocked by the defence.  On 42 minutes another attempt by Antoine Camilleri hit defender Daniel Micallef and the ball shaved the post and ended in a corner.

After the resumption St Lawrence tried to produce a reaction in an attempt to recover the deficit but their efforts were well neutralised by Sannat’s rear guard and the action at goal were very rare.  Sannat were also threatening through counter breaks and on 58 minutes they were dangerous through a shot by Frankie Camilleri that ended just wide.  Sannat’s goalie Owen Attard was called to make a good intervention on 73 minutes to turn to a corner an attempt by Shaun Mizzi, while St Lawrence’s keeper Luke Buttigieg made a difficult save on 88 minutes following a shot by Sannat’s substitute Joseph Zammit.  On the stroke of regular time St Lawrence could have reduced the score but an overhead kick by Mohammed Senussi Tellessi was stopped by the crossbar.  In the second minute of stoppage time Sannat could have scored the third goal but a shot by Franco Kosova following a pass by Mark Muscat ended jut wide.

Referee: Alex Johnson