MATCH DETAILS
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
Kercem Ajax Stadium – 9 March 2019
Xaghra U FC : 1 (M.M. Uzor 23′)
Sammut, G. Attard, E. Buttigieg, K. Farrugia, F. Cini (N. Attard), A. Zammit, S. Azzopardi, P. Rapa, D. Degennaro, S. Curmi (J. Attard), M. Zammit (J. Xerri).
St Lawrence S FC : 0
Brignoli, S. Sultana, A. Xiberras, J. Theuma, M. Fagbeja, C. Azzoprdi, J. Grima (C. Grima), D. Micallef, L. Buttigeig (C. Mercieca), M. Zerafa.
MATCH REPORT
Xaghra United earned three precious points from a close win over St Lawrence Spurs so that they are back sharing the top of the table with Sannat Lions, the latter however have a game in hand. Xaghra tried hard to impose their superiority over St Lawrence but the latter managed to remain in contention for a positive result and threatened Xaghra’s rear guard on more various occasions particularly during the second period. With the result, St Lawrence dropped to the fourth place on the table at the expense of Oratory but remain with a strong lead over the two sides who are occupying the last two places on the table.
During the opening minutes of the encounter, Xaghra seemed more motivated and produced pressure on St Lawrence’s defence. On 8 minutes an overhead kick by Joseph George Vella following a cross by Johnny Camilleri ended wide and on 14 minutes the same Vella had an attempt directly from a free kick that was saved with some difficulty by goalie Angelo Brignoli. Xaghra went again very close to score a goal on 16 minutes when Matthias Michael Uzor unmarked Johnny Camilleri but the latter concluded wide from an ideal position. Less than a minute later the same Camilleri had a lob from close distance that ended over St Lawrence’s goal and on 23 minutes Xaghra’s efforts were rewarded when Matthias Michael Uzor headed in goal a free kick by Joseph George Vella. The Spurs replied on 29 minutes through a free kick by Simon Sultana that was partially saved by goalie Owen Attard and from the rebound, St Lawrence’s Louis Buttigieg concluded in the net but the goal was disallowed for an offside infringement. On 37 minutes Xaghra could have added another goal but a shot by Johnny Camilleri from a good position was saved with difficulty to a corner by St Lawrence’s keeper Angelo Brignoli.
Play took place mainly in the midfield during the opening stages of the second period as St Lawrence tried to be more offensive but Xaghra’s defence was well deployed and kept the anger away from their area. On 61 minutes Xaghra were dangerous through a strike by Gabriel Farrugia that ended high and less than a minute later Xaghra’s Matthias Michael Uzor entered St Lawrence’s area but form his pass Johnny Camilleri failed to connect so that the ball ended wide. St Lawrence continued to struggle in an attempt to save the result but they continued to find it extremely difficult to convert their play into good scoring opportunities, while Xagjra defended their lead and produced sporadic counter breaks in an attempt to make sure of the win with a second goal. On 85 minutes Xaghra went again close to sealed the result but Joseph George Vella had a low shot after receiving form Johnny Camilleri that ended wide. St Lawrence went closets to level the score on 89 minutes when Xaghra were reduced to ten players when defender Johann Bajada committed a foul just outside the area to deny Charlon Farrugia from hitting towards goal so that the defender was shown a red card and from the resultant free kick the same Farrugia saw his attempt saved by goalie Owen Attard with the aid of the post. In the second minute of stoppage time, Xaghra were again dangerous but a shot by Gabriel Farrugia from a good position ended wide.
Referee: Shaun Calleja
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