St Lawrence stun Munxar

GFA Gozo Football League Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium

Munxar F : 2 (B. Meilak 5’, C. Gafa’ 33’)

L. Gatt, B. Meilak, K. Borg, C. Gafa, C. Bugeja (M. Debrincat), R. Sammut (K. Mizzi), O. Curmi, P. Said (N. Attard), J. Grima, J. Parnis, M. Matthias Uzor.

St Lawrence S : 6 (J. Theuma 12’, M.S. Telessi 30’, 66’, 71’; C. Tabone 32’, C. Farrugia 41’)

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

In the main match from match-day 9 of the campaign St Lawrence Spurs registered an unexpected, but deserved, win over the current leaders of the category Munxar Falcons.  Munxar started this match as hot favourites for the three points at stake as they were aiming to consolidate their ambition to win the title and promotion, and also because they were expected to take advantage of a negative patch where St Lawrence dropped decisive points which left them away from the top of the table.  The Spurs however were determined to make up for their disappointing performances in their previous matches and although they lost their status as challengers for promotion, they still aimed to beat the hot favourites for the main honour of the category.  The Spurs managed to produce their best performance this season probably because they were playing without any pressure and as a result their defence neutralised Munxar’s strikers and in attack Mohammed Senussi Tellesi was well supported by Charlon Tabone, Charlon Farrugia Kenny Hili.  Telessi also marked his excellent performance by scoring a hat-trick.

St Lawrence almost surprised their more quoted opponents during he early stages and in the third minute of plat they were also dangerous through a strike by Charlon Tabone that was partially saved by goalie Liam Gatt and the defence cleared the danger from the area.  The Spurs were punished for the missed chance as Munxar opened the score on 5 minutes through a direct free kick by Brian Meilak that was out of the reach of the goalkeeper. St Lawrence had a good reaction and on 12 minutes they levelled the score when Jason Theuma took the ball from Munxar’s rearguard and placed in goal with a low shot.  On 17 minutes Munxar went very close to scoring but a first tier by Joseph Grima following a pass in the area by Michael Matthias Uzor was stopped by the crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.  On 25 minutes St Lawrence’s Charlon Tabone took the ball from Munxar’s defence but concluded badly from an ideal position.  The Spurs turned the result in their favour on the half hour mark through a first timer by Mohammed Senussi Telessi following a cross from the right flank by Kenny Hili.  Munxar were shocked and two minutes later the Spurs added their lead when Kenny Hili once again entered Munxar’s area from the right flank and from his cross Charlon Tabone fired in goal with a shot on the run.  One minute later Munxar reduced the deficit when Christopher Gafa concluded in goal following a corner kick by Paul Said.  On 39 minutes Munxar went close to score the equaliser but Oliver Curmi’s header following a corner kick by Paul Said ended high.  Two minutes later St Lawrence regained a two-goal lead when Charlon Tabone entered Munxar’s area from the right flank and from his pass Charlon Farrugia concluded in goal with a shot form an unmarked position.

After the resumption Munxar tried to produce a reaction but their efforts were often easily neutralised by St Lawrence’s defence.  On 58 minutes the Spurs were also dangerous but a strike from outside the area by Charlon Farrugia ended just wide.  The Spurs continued to be in control of play and on 66 minutes they increased their lead through Mohammed Senussi Telessi who took a clearance by Jason Theuma from the midfield, won the tussle with Munxar’s keeper at the edge of the area and placed the ball easily into an open goal.  Two minutes later the same Mohammed Senussi Telessi had an attempt from close distance after receiving from Jason Theuma, that ended over the crossbar.  However, Mohammed Senussi Telessi scored the sixth goal for his wide on 71 minutes through a header following a cross by substitute Luke Attard.  Munxar had their best opportunity to score another goal on 77 minutes but a strike by Joseph Grima ended wide.  Five minutes later the Spurs were also dangerous but a free kick by Jason Theuma ended just over the crossbar.  The same Jason Theuma however was the protagonist of a negative action on 87 minutes as he was sent off for dissent.  During the final moments Munxar’s goalie Liam Gatt was made two difficult saves to deny St Lawrence form scoring more goals following attempts by James Grima and Charlon Farrugia.

Referee: Daniel Casha