St Lawrence turn a defeat in a win with two late goals

Munxar Falcons FC : 1
St Lawrence Spurs FC : 2

40’ (1-0) o.g. Daniel Micallef
88’ (red card) Andrew Borg (MF)
89’ (1-1) penalty Matthias Michael Uzor
90+5’ (1-2) Karl Formosa

Munxar F:

D.C. Spiteri, P. Parnis, A. Borg, P. Debono, L. Attard (L. Cilia), N. Haber, D.P. Borg, N. Attard (M. Azzopardi), F. Azzopardi, A. Carvalho, K. Mizzi (L. Meilaq).

St Lawrence S:

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

Referee: Hristos Palikarov

SUMMARY

St Lawrence Spurs retained their possibility to challenge for the second spot on the table with three very important points obtained from a 2-1 win over bottom placed Munxar Falcons.  The match, which was the last one of the second round for the two sides, turned out into a well contested encounter as Munxar were aiming for a positive result in an attempt to move away from the bottom place on the table, while the Spurs needed a win to improve their status in the standings.  Munxar seemed heading towards a win but they ended up leaving the field of play empty handed as they conceded the equaliser from a penalty two minutes from the end of end of regular time and St Lawrence clinched a dramatic win with a decisive goal that arrived in the last action of the encounter.  St Lawrence’s young striker Karl Formosa, who came in as a substitute on 83 minutes, ended up the hero for his side as he scored the decisive goal of the encounter.

TIMELINE

Play was quite balanced for most of the first period as the two sides were aiming to obtain a positive result from this encounter.

5’ St Lawrence create the first serious attempt towards goal though a close ranged header by Charlton Mifsud following a cross by Matthias Michael Uzor that was saved with some difficulty by goalie Damien Spiteri.

13’ Munxar replied through a free kick from long distance by Luke Attard that was saved by goalie Angelo Brignoli.

18’ The Spurs went again close to scoring but a direct free kick by Charlon Farrugia was well blocked by Munxar’s goalie Damien Spiteri.

Play continued to be well contested.

40’ (1-0) Munxar opened the score through an own goal by St Lawrence’s defender Daniel Micallef who headed badly due to some pressure by Munxar’s Andrew Borg, with the ball finishing in his goal, following a free lick  by Luke Attard.

42’ Munxar could have doubled the score by a strike by Ayesller Carvalho from outside the area ended inches away from St Lawrence’s goal.

HT (1-0)

St Lawrence came out more determined for the second period in an attempt to recover the deficit and for most of the time they produced some pressure on Munxar’s rear guard.

9’ The Spurs went close to level the score through a curling shot from the edge of the area by Jason Theuma that ended just wide. 

11’ Munxar replied through a lob by Ayesller Carvalho that was saved to a corner by St Lawrence’s keeper Angelo Brignoli.

19’ St Lawrence’s Charlon Farrugia had a good shot form an ideal position but the ball ended just over the crossbar.

21’ The Spurs went very close to score the equaliser but an attempt by Adrian Xiberras following a corner kick by Charlon Farrugia was cleared off the line by defender Nicholas Attard with the aid of the crossbar.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

26’ Munxar’s substitute Luke Meilak could have added another goal for his side but the shot from a good position missed the target.

34’ The Spurs failed to capitalise from a free kick just outside Munxar’s area and the direct attempt by Matthias Michael Uzor was saved by goalie Damien Spiteri. 

40’ St Lawrence’s substitute Karl Formosa had a cross-shot that ended just over the crossbar

42’ Munxar’s goalie Damien Spiteri partially saved a free kick by Charlon Farrugia and from the rebound Charlon Tabone’s attempt was deflected to a corner.

43’ (penalty / red card) From the resultant corner kick by Jason Theuma, Munxar’s defender Andrew Borg handled the ball in an attempt to clear the danger form the goalmouth and the referee awarded a penalty and also showed the red card to Munxar’s defender.

44’ (1-1) penalty – St Lawrence levelled the score through a penalty kick by Matthias Micahel Uzor.

45’ Munxar could have regained the lead but a shot from the kick off by Ayesller Carvalho hit the crossbar

45+5’ (1-2) The Spurs clinched a dramatic win when substitute Karl Formosa entered Munxar’s area with a personal action and netted 

FT (1-2)