26 September 2023
GFA 2nd Division Challenge Cup (MD 3) Gozo Stadium
Sannat Lions FC : 3
St Lawrence Spurs FC: 1
11’ (1-0) Aaron Azzopardi
14’ (2-0) Lucas Silva Gomes
17’ (3-0) Nicholas Grima
81’ (red card) Paul Said (SL)
89’ (3-1) Clyde Xerri
Sannat L:
K. Attard, D. Borg, J. Cassar (C. Dingli 76), G. Portelli, G. Debrincat (M. Azzopardi 85), N. Grima, T. Agius (P. Said 61), M. Mifsud (M. Farrugia 76), L. Siva Gomes, A. Azzopardi, C. Buttigieg.
St. Lawrence S:
J. Xiberras, J.K. Farrugia, N. Haber, C. Xerri, J.M. Portelli (J. Attard 16), C. Grima, A. Carvalho, J. Grima, C. Azzopardi, M. Dingli, J. Saliba.
Sannat Lions confirmed their positive start in the second division Challenge Cup and obtained their third consecutive win in their match against St Lawrence Spurs. Sannat dictated matters for long stretches in this match and earned the win by scoring three goals within the opening seventeen minutes of the encounter. St Lawrence continued to be very disappointed in this competition and needs to improve their attitude if they aim to be competitive in the campaign. The Spurs however managed to score their first goal of the season arrived at a moment when the outcome of the encounter was already compromised.
Timeline:
St Lawrence tried to surprise their opponents during the opening minutes but Sannat came out of their defence after a few minutes and took command of play. Sannat also capitalised on their superiority and scored three goals within the first quarter of the encounter.
9’ Sannat created their first serious attempt through a direct free kick from long distance by Aaron Azzopardi but goalie Joel Xiberras was well-placed and saved the danger.
10’ The same goalkeeper was called to make a difficult save to turn to a corner a strike from a good position by Gabriel Debrincat.
11’ (1-0) From the same corner action, taken by Lucas Silva Gomes, Sannat opened the score as Aaron Azzopardi fired in goal with a low shot from outside the area.
14’ (2-0) Sannat doubled their lead when Nicholas Grima passed to Lucas Silva Gomes on the edge of St Lawrence’s area and the latter concluded in goal with a fine shot that ended out of the reach of the goalkeeper.
17’ (3-0) Sannat scored their third goal through Nicholas Grima who placed in goal with a shot from an angled position following a personal action
20’ St Lawrence’s goalie Joel Xiberras was again called to make a good save to neutralise a shot by Cyriel Buttigieg.
HT (3-0)
Second Half
St Lawrence tried to produce a reaction after the break but Sannat were well deployed and for most of the time they kept the danger away from their area to control their comfortable lead.
5’ The Spurs were dangerous through a strike from outside the area by James Grima but the ball ended just high.
19’ St Lawrence went again close to reduce the deficit through a shot from outside the area by Ayesller Carvalho but the ball ended wide.
28’ Sannat missed an opportunity to add another goal when Nicholas Grima passed inside St Lawrence’s area to substitute Paul Said but the latter lifted over the crossbar from an ideal position.
33’ Sannat’s Nicholas Grima also had an opportunity to increase the lead for his side when he entered the area but his attempt to lob towards goal was blocked to a corner by goalie Joel Xiberras.
36’ (red card) Sannat were reduced to ten players when Paul Said was sent off for elbowing an opponent as St Lawrence was preparing to defend their area from a free kick.
44’ (3-1) St Lawrence scored the consolation goal, which was also the first goal of the season when Sannat’s defence cleared badly and Clyde Xerri surprised the goalkeeper with a fine shot from outside the area.
FT (SL 3 – SLS 1)
Referee: Anthony Paul Vella
Assistant Referees: Paul Apap, Jules Ngangue
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