Top of the table clash ends in a draw

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium

Sannat L : 0

O. Attard, F. Xuereb, F. Camilleri, J. Agius, S. Sultana, M. Portelli, M. Muscat, O. Farrugia (J. Zammit), A. Camilleri, D. Borg, M.S. Telessi.

Munxar F : 0

L. Xuereb, B. Meilak, K. Borg, C. Gafa’ (J. Grima), C. Bugeja, P. Parnis, P. Said (N. Attard), M. Debrincat, R. Meilak, M.Matthias Uzor, J. Parnis.

The direct clash between the two teams occupying the first two places on the table of the lower category, Munxar Falcons and Sannat Lions, ended in a goalless draw so that the two sides remained at the same place on the table.  The match was followed by a large crowd at the Kercem Ajax Stadium despite the rain that poured throughout the encounter.  The two sides were aiming to win the three points at stake.  Munxar needed the victory to consolidate their leadership while Sannat could have moved to the top place with a win from this match.  Sannat actually held command of play during the first period but failed to capitalise from their territorial superiority and also missed a golden scoring opportunity midway through the second half when they had a penalty kick that was saved by Munxar’s keeper.  The Falcons were rewarded for their performance in this match as they resisted to Sannat’s play during the first half, made the necessary tactical changes before the restart so that they shared more play during the second period and also ended up creating the better scoring opportunities near the end of the encounter.

Sannat came out very aggressive and during the opening stages they produced continuous pressure on Munxar’s defence particularly through initiatives by Antoine Camilleri. In the fifth minute of play Sannat’s Matthew Portelli had a shot from outside the area that ended just over the crossbar ad one minute later debutant Mohammed Senussi Telessi had a close ranged header that was saved to a corner with the aid of the post by goalie Lorjean Xuereb.  The same striker had another attempt towards Munxar’s goal on 9 minutes but the ball missed the target.  Sannat went again close to scoring on 27 minutes through another header by Mohammed Senussi Telessi following a corner kick by Matthew Porteli that was neutralised on the fatal line by goalie Lorjean Xuereb.  Munxar’s best scoring opportunity of the first half arrived on 39 minutes but a direct free kick by Brian Meilak ended just over the crossbar.

Play became more balanced after the break as Munxar started to create some good actions within Sannat’s territory.  On the hour mark Munxar’s Michael Matthias Uzor had a cross shot from the right flank that ended on the roof of the net and on 65 minutes Sannat had their best opportunity to open the score when the referee awarded a penalty for a foul by Christian Bugeja on Antoine Camilleri.  However, the same Antoine Camilleri hit badly form the spot kick and Munxar’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb saved the danger.  Two minutes later Munxar almost punished their opponents for the missed chance but Jordi Parnis had a direct free kick that ended just high.  In the following minutes Sannat’s Mohammed Senussi Telessi had two occasions where he could have placed in goal.  On 70 minutes Munxar’s goalie Lorjean Xuereb went outside his area to clear the ball in time before Senussi Telessi could hit towards an open goal, and in another occasion two minutes later the Libyan striker failed to connect following an inviting low cross form the right flank.  Munxart could have clinch a dramatic victory in the first minute of stoppage time but a close ranged header by Michael Matthias Uzor following a free kick by Brian Meilak was well blocked by Sannat’s goalie Owen Attard so that the score remained unchanged until the final whistle.

Referee: Etienne Mangion