St Lawrence Spurs turn a defeat into a win

DETAILS

GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division II
MD 8 Kercem Ajax Stadium 14 December 2019

Qala Saints FC : 1
St Lawrence Spurs FC : 2

23’ (1-0) Felipe Augusto De Oliveira
51’ (1-1) penalty Charlon Farrugia
73’ (1-2) Matthias Michael Uzor

Qala S:

Xuereb, A. Farrugia, P. Muscat, M. Zerafa, M. Buttigieg S. Farrugia, J. Portelli, M. Portelli, M. Cefai (C. Xerri), R. Meilak, F.A. De Oliviera.

St Lawrence S:

Brignoli, G. Portelli, C. Grima, J. Theuma (M. Camilleri Psaila), C. Cauchi, M. Michael Uzor, J. Grima (A. Xiberras), C. Azzopardi, D. Micallef, C. Farrugia, C. Mifsud (C. Tabone).

Referee: Jason Portelli

SUMMARY

St Lawrence Spurs scored two goals after the break in their match against Qala Saints and turned a defeat into a 2-1 win so that they earned three precious points to consolidate their third spot on the table and also opened a comfortable lead over the same Qala on the table.  Before this match the Spurs had a two point lead over Qala and therefore this match was considered as a direct clash between two sides who are aiming for the third place on the table. The match was conditioned by strong winds and during the first half the Maroons capitalised from these conditions but only managed to score on one occasion.  St Lawrence had a determined reaction after the break and their efforts were rewarded as they clinched the victory by scoring on two occasions.

TIMELINE

Qala had the wind blowing in their favour during the first half and thus they kept command of play within St Lawrence’s territory.

10’ Qala’s Felipe Augusto De Oliveira had a shot on the run that missed the target.

13’ St Lawrence replied through an attempt by Matthias Michael Uzor that was blocked to a corner by the defence.

15’ St Lawrence once again threatened Qalaàs defence but a header by Matthias Michael Uzor ended wide.

18’ St Lawrence’s goalie Angelo Brignoli left his position in time to block the ball before striker Felipe Augusto De Oliveira could hit towards an open goal.

23’ (1-0) Qala opened the score through an excellent shot from long distance by Felipe Augusto De Oliveira, after receiving from a free kick taken by Ryan Meilak.

25‘ St Lawrence went very close to level the score but a shot by Charlton Mifsud from an ideal position ended wide.

29’ Qala were unlucky when a free kick by Felipe Augusto De Oliveira was stopped by the crossbar.

40’ Qala kept insisting and a header by Felipe Augusto De Oliveira following a free kick by Ryan Meilak ended away from St Lawrence’s goal.

41’ The same Brazilian striker had another good attempt from a good position that ended wide.

43’  Qala went very close to double the score but a shot on the run by Felipe Augusto De Oliveira was stopped by the base of the post.

HT (1-0)

St Lawrence came out more aggressive after the break as they tried to take full advantage of the weather conditions in an attempt to recover the deficit.

6’ (1-1) penalty – St Lawrence levelled the score when the referee awarded a penalty for handling by Peter Muscat in an attempt to clear the ball from the area, and Charlon Farrugia converted from the spot kick to make it 1-1 at an early stage of the second period.

10’ St Lawrence continued to dictate matters and went very close to scoring but a close ranged header by Matthias Michael Uzor following a cross by James Grima was stoped by the crossbar.

13’ Qala had their best scoring opportunity of the second period to regain the lead when Arthur Farrugia entered the area from the right flank but his low shot aimed towards the far post ended wide.

22’ In another dangerous action produced by St Lawrence a header by Matthias Michael Uzor following an inviting cross by Charlton Mifsud ended wide.

28’ (1-2) St Lawrence score the goal that decided the issue when substitute Charlon Tabone released Matthias Michael Uzor who engtered Qala’s territory and placed in goal as he arrived at the esdge of the area.

Qala’s reaction was sterile.

44’ Qala could have saved the result when St Lawrence’s defence failed to clear the ball from their area following a corner action, a shot by Jeremy Portelli got a deflection by the defence and the ball arrived to an unmarked Felipe Augusto De Oliveira hit badly and the ball ended wide.

45+3’ St Lawrence lost an opportunity to seal the win with another goal but a header from close distance by Charlon Tabone following a corner kick by Charlon Farrugia ended wide.

FT (1-2)