29 October 2023
BOV GFA Cup (Prel. Rd) Kercem Stadium
Sannat Lions FC : 0
Victoria Hotspurs FC : 7
6’ (0-1) Shaun Attard
20’ (0-2) Wellington Valentim De Sousa
28’ (red card) Aaron Azzopardi (SL)
29’ (0-3) Elton Alexandre Da Silva
33’ (0-4) Wellington Valentim De Sousa
35’ (0-5) Elton Alexandre Da Silva
83’ (0-6) Joey Grech
89’ (0-7) Elton Aleksandre Da Silva
Sannat L:
K. Attard, J. Cassar (C. Dingli 64), G. Portelli, K. Xuereb (J. Bonnici 37), G. Debrincat, D. Borg, P. Muscat, L. Silva Gomes (N. Grima 50), A. Azzopardi, C. Buttigieg, B. Kanta.
Victoria H:
R. Sammut, L. Grima, O. Cremona, L. Farrugia, S. Attard, D. Farrugia (S.F. Bajada 64), D. Mercieca (J. Buttigieg 64), C. Caruana (G. Borg 58), J.G. Vella (J. Grech 58), E.A. Da Silva, W. Valentim De Sousa (L. Atzori 58).
Victoria Hotspurs obtained a 7-0 win over Sannat Lions in another match between two sides of the second division so that they will play their match of the quarter-finals stage against the current leaders of the top flight Qala Saints.
The match between the Hotspurs and Sannat was expected to be more contested as the two sides are the main favourites to challenge for promotion this season. Moreover, the two teams already played against each other this season in a match from the first phase of the Challenge Cup that ended in a draw of four goals. However, the Hotspurs came out determined to take command of play from the first minutes and managed to make sure of the qualification by scoring five goals during the first half. In the meantime, Sannat found it extremely difficult to neutralise Victoria’s play and practically gave up their hopes of being challengers for the qualification before the half-hour mark when they ended up playing with a player less on the field. Victoria’ Elton Alexandre da Silva, who was making a return with the Hotspurs after a number of seasons, was a protagonist of the encounter by scoring a hat-trick.
Timeline:
The Hotspurs came out more aggressive and produced pressure on Sannat’s defence from the first minutes of play so they paved the way to a comfortable win by scoring five goals before the end of the first half.
4’ The Hotspurs went close to score an early goal when Joseph George Vella crossed inside the area but the header by Elton Da Silva ended wide.
6’ (0-1) Victoria took the lead when Joseph George Vella released Shaun Attard on the left flank and the latter placed in goal with a curling shot that ended out of the reach of Sannat’s keeper.
16’ Victoria was again dangerous through a first-timer by Elton Da Silva that ended just over the crossbar.
18’ Sannat’s defence failed to clear the ball from the area following an initiative by Wellington Valentim De Sousa but from the resultant melee the attempt by Elton Da Silva was blocked to a corner.
20’ (0-2) The Hotspurs doubled the score when Joseph George Vella delivered the ball towards the first post from a free kick and Wellington Valentim De Sousa fired in goal from close distance.
28’ (red card) Sannat were reduced to ten players when Aaron Azzopardi received a second yellow card for a foul in the midfield.
29’ (0-3) Victoria increased their lead when Wellington Valentim De Sousa delivered a low cross from the left and Elton Alexandre Da Silva netted with a low drive.
32’ Sannat’s goalie Kyle Attard made a good intervention to turn to a corner an attempt directly from a free kick by Elton Da Silva.
33’ (0-4) Victoria added another goal when Sannat’s goalie cleared a corner kick by Shaun Attard but the ball arrived to Wellington Valentim De Sousa who headed in goal from close distance.
35’ (0-5) Sannat were demoralised and conceded another goal when Elton Alexandre Da Silva entered Sannat’s territory and placed into an open goal as the keeper left his position in an attempt to block the danger.
HT (0-5)
Second Half
The match lost much of the interest after the break as the qualification was already determined. The Hotspurs reduced their intensity but Sannat never seemed in a position to produce a comeback.
11’ (post) Sannat could have scored a consolation goal when Boubacar Kanta entered Victoria’s area with a personal action but his low shot hit the base of the post and the defence cleared the danger.
31’ Victoria was denied from scoring another goal when Elton Da Silva released Lucas Farrugia inside Sannat’s area but the latter saw his effort that was well saved by goalie Kyle Attard.
36’ Sannat could have created more danger but an effort by Cyriel Buttigieg ended wide.
38’ (0-6) The Hotspurs made it half a dozen when Sannat’s defence blocked two consecutive efforts by Elton Da Silva and substitute Lorenzo Atzori but from the rebound substitute Joey Grech placed towards the corner from a good position.
44’ (0-7) The Hotspurs sealed the large win with a goal that arrived through a shot from close distance by Elton Alexandre Da Silva.
FT (SL 0 – VH 7)
Referee: Malcolm Spiteri
Asst. Referees: Paul Apap, Mark Ciantar
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