St Lawrence take the third spot

(stock photo)

MATCH DETAILS

GFA Gozo Football League Division II

Kercem Ajax Stadium – 23 March 2019

Zebbug R FC : 0

Saliba, M. Ciangura, O. Calleja, L. Meilaq, L. Farrugia (P.S. Cardona), M. Peres Vega, A. Buttigieg, J. Grech, R. Meilak (M. Borg), E. Xuereb (C. Vella), J. Azzopardi.

St Lawrence S FC : 4 (J. Theuma 57’, 90+1’; C. Farrugia 63’, J. Grech o.g. 87’)

Brignoli, C. Mercieca, S. Sultana (L. Buttigieg), A. Xiberras (J. Theuma), C. Cauchi, M. Fagbeja, C. Azzopardi (C. Grima), J. Grima, D. Micallef, C. Farrugia, M. Zerafa.

MATCH REPORT

St Lawrence Spurs earned three important points form a convincing win over Zebbug Rovers and moved to the third spot on the table with three matches left until the end of the campaign.  Both St Lawrence Spurs and Zebbug Rovers were aiming for a positive result in an attempt to end a disappointing season on a positive note. The Spurs are now aiming to end the league at the third place while Zebbug are struggling to avoid the bottom place on the table.

Zebbug seemed more confident during the opening minutes particularly as they were coming from a surprise win over the leaders during the previous week.  In the third minute of play Zebbug were also dangerous through a low drive by Elijah Xuereb following a personal action but the ball ended just wide. The Spurs replied on 14 minutes through a strike by Muda Fagbeja but the ball got a deflection and Zebbug’s goalie saved without difficulty.  On 31 minutes the same Muda Fagbeja failed to connect to an inviting low cross by Christian Azzopardi and less than a minute later Zebbug’s keeper Baskal Saliba saved to a corner with some difficulty a low shot by Charlon Farrugia. Zebbug could have opened the score on 39 minutes when Luke Meilaq entered St Lawrence’s area, turned around the goalkeeper but his attempt towards goal was cleared off the fatal line into a corner by defender Daniel Micallef.  The Spurs went again close to scoring one minute later but a first timer by Adrian Xiberras following a cross by Christian Azzopardi was well saved by Zebbug’s goalie so that the first half ended in a goalless draw.

St Lawrence came out more determined for the second period and took command of play.  On 53 minutes two attempts in separate occasions by Muda Fagbeja were blocked by Zebbug’s keeper Baskal Saliba but on 57 minutes the Spurs opened the score when Muda Fagbeja released substitute Jason Theuma who placed in goal with a low shot. St Lawrence doubled the score on 63 minutes through a strike by Charlon Farrugia from outside the area that surprised Zebbug’s keeper.  Zebbug’s reaction was sterile and the Spurts continued to produce more dangerous actions.  On 83 minutes a free kick by Charles Mercieca was well saved by goalie Baskal Saliba and the same goalkeeper was well placed on 86 minutes to block an effort by Christopher Cauchi following a personal action.  The Spurs scored the third goal on 87 minutes when Charlon Farrugia entered Zebbug’s area and from his cross shot Zebbug’s defender Johnny Grech committed an own goal in an attempt to clear the ball from the goalmouth.  St Lawrence sealed the win with the fourth goal that arrived in the first minute of stoppage time when Charlon Farrgia unmarked Jason Theuma inside Zebbug’s area and the latter placed easily into an open goal.

Referee: Mehmet Oral