Oratory back in the reckoning

29 February 2020
GFA BOV Gozo Football League Division I – MD 15 Kercem Ajax Stadium

Sannat Lions FC : 0
Oratory Youths FC : 3

33’ (0-1) Justin Azzopardi
57’ (0-2) Daniel Azzopardi
90+4’ (0-3) Paul Said

Sannat L:
M. Muscat, J. Azzopardi, C. Gafa’, O. Farrugia (R. Grech), C. Vella (N. Grima), J. Zammit, E.R. Okpokwu (A. Azzopardi), D. Borg, M. Mifsud, J. Buttigieg, F.J. Xuereb.

Oratory Y:
R. Sammut, M. Ciangura (E. Gauci), J. Azzopardi, E. Buttigieg, P. Rapa (P. Said), K. Farrugia, B. Perello Palou, D. Azzopardi, S. Azzopardi, C. Borg (E. Xuereb), Ju. Attard.

Oratory Youths obtained three very important points from a 3-0 win over current leaders of the lower category Sannat Lions so that they are now back in the challenge for promotion. With this result the Youths ended the third round of the campaign with just one point behind the same Sannat and therefore they are may achieve the success at the end of the campaign if they maintain their good moment of form. In this match Sannat had the possibility to at least defend a four point lead over the same Oratory but they failed to convert their territorial supremacy into good scoring opportunities so that they ended up conceding sporadic offensive actions to their opponents and compromised the possibility to obtain at least a point form this encounter.

Timeline:
Sannat came out determined to take command of play.
1’ (35 sec) Sannat could have opened the score but an overhead kick by Oliver Farrugia from a good position was neutralised by Oratory’s goalie Richard Sammut.
1’ (57sec) Seconds later the same goalkeeper was well placed and neutralised an attempt by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu following a personal action.
10’ Sannat created another good scoring opportunity from a corner kick by Joseph Azzopardi that was prolonged inside Oratory’s area by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu but the header by Joseph Buttigieg was weak and Oratory goalie saved the danger.
11’ Sannat kept insisting and Oratory’s goalie was again called in action to block to a corner a shot by Ebube Ralph Okpokwu.
As time passed by Sannat became sterile and Oratory managed to keep their area clear of danger.
33’ (0-1) Oratory surprised their opponents and opened the score through a low shot directly form a free kick by Justin Azzopardi which ended out of the reach of Sannat’s keeper.
45+1’ Sannat had their best opportunity to level the score through a shot by Mario Mifsud from outside the area that was saved in two attempts by Oratory’s Richard Sammut.
HT (0-1)

Sannat tried to maintain their territorial supremacy from the beginning of the second period but Oratory continued to be well deployed at their defence and were also more effective in their counter breaks.
10’ Oratory went very close to scoring but an attempt by Chris Borg from a corner action ended high.
12’ (0-2) Oratory doubled the score when Bartomeo Perello Palou delivered the ball inside the area from a corner kick and Daniel Azzopardi headed in goal from close distance.
23’ Sannat could have re-opened the issue when Ebube Ralph Okpokwu entered Oratory’s territory with a personal action but his attempt to lob into an open goal was blocked outside the area by goalie Richard Sammut. From the rebound the ball arrived to the same Okpokwu but his shot aimed towards goal was blocked by the defence.
31’ Sannat operated a good action from the right flank through Christian Vella but form his inviting cross Joseph Zammit failed to conclude and the goalkeeper neutralised the danger.
34’ In another offensive action by Sannat a shot from an angled position by Mario Mifsud ended on the side of the net.
40’ Sannat were also unlucky when Joseph Zammit entered Oratory’s area with a personal action, but his low drive was stopped by the post with the goalkeeper beaten and form the rebound the close ranged attempt by Daniel Borg ended high.
45+2’ Sannat had their last opportunity to reduce the deficit but a cross-shot by substitute Aaron Azzopardi ended wide.
45+4’ (0-3) Oratory made sure of the win by scoring the third goal that arrived through a cross-shot by substitute Paul Said that surprised Sannat’s goalie.
FT (0-3)

Referee: Joseph Scerri