Kercem make sure of qualification with second half goals

9 September 2024

GFA 2nd Division Challenge Cup (S/F 1) Gozo Stadium

St Lawrence Spurs FC : 0

Kercem Ajax FC: 7

7’ (0-1) Carlos Cutajar

50’ (0-2) penalty Cesar Velez Da Silva

56’ (0-3) Ryan Saliba

69’ (0-4) Christian Vella

75’ (0-5) Andre Azzopardi

82’ (0-6) Anthony Zammit

88’ (0-7) Cesar Velez Da Silva

St Lawrence S:

P. Cremona, N. Haber (S. Farrugia 73), E. Bugeja, J.M. Portelli (D. Atzori 46), J. Grima, V.J. Saliba (M. Dingli 56), C. Farrugia (O. Grech 56), D. Micallef, E.R. Okpokwu, J. Saliba, Ju. Attard (J. Xuer46).

Kercem A:

F. Vella, D. Cassar (T. Markovic 81), A. Azzopardi, J. Theuma (D. Atzori 46), C. Cutajar, R. Saliba (M. Gauci 81), C. Vella (D. Depasquale 86), A. Mizzi, A. Xuereb (A. Zammit 75), S. Azzopardi, C. Velez Da Silva.

In the first semi-final match of the GFA 2nd Division Challenge Cup Kercem Ajax registered a large win over St Lawrence Spurs and became favourites to lift the first honour of the category this season.

This was the first match of the season for the two sides as they were drawn directly to this stage of the competition.  The Ajax, who had Daniel Bogdanovic on the bench as their coach for the first time, lived up to the expectations and converted their superiority over their opponents with a large win.  St Lawrence tried to be serious challengers and remained in contention until the end of the first half but the Ajax took full control of play after the break and scored on six occasions.

Photo: Anthony Cassar

Timeline:

Kercem tried to take command of play from the first minutes of the encounter and managed to put their heads in front by scoring an early goal.  However, St Lawrence was nt demoralised and as time passed by they came out of their defence and operated some offensive play within Kercem’s territory.  The Ajax were well deployed and did not concede any potential scoring opportunities to their opponents. Still, at the same time, Kercem found it difficult to consolidate their lead so that at the end of the first half the Spurs remained in contention for qualification.

7’ (0-1) Kercem opened the score when Brazilian striker Cesar Velez Da Silva entered St Lawrence’s area from the left flank and his low cross Andrew Mizzi released Carlos Cutajar who fired towards the far corner of the net from an ideal position.

32’ St Lawrence’s defence was almost surprised to clear the ball from the danger area following an initiative by Carlos Cutajar and at the end the ball arrived to Andrew Mizzi who hit badly and the ball ended away from goal.

41’ Kercem could have capitalised better when Andre Azzopardi delivered a cross from the left flank but the header from a good position by Cesar Velez Da Silva ended high.

HT (0-1)

Second Half

After the resumption, Kercem took full command of play and dominated their opponents.  St Lawrence did not manage to retain their composure expressed during the first half and practically compromised the result by conceding two goals at an early stage of the second half.

4’ (0-2) penalty Kercem were awarded a penalty for a foul by Eman Bugeja on substitute Lorenzo Atzori and Cesar Velez Da Silva converted from the penalty spot.

6’ St Lawrence could have reduced the score but a low shot by Charlon Farrugia was saved with some difficulty to a corner by Kercme’s keeper Franklin Vella.

7’ (crossbar) The Ajax were again dangerous when a good shot by Andrew Mizzi following a cross from the tight flank hit the crossbar.

8’ Kercem’s Lorenzo Atzori went very close to adding another goat his strike from outside the area ended just wide.

11’ (0-3) Kercem converted their good moment by scoring another goal that arrived through a fine shot by Ryan Saliba after receiving from Christian Vella.

15’ St Lawrence continued to suffer Kercem’s play and the latter went again close to score but a good shot by Andre Azzopardi following a short corner action ended just over the crossbar.

24’ (0-4) Kercem’s fourth goal arrived through an initiative by Cesar Velez Da Silva who delivered from the right flank, Lorenzo Atzori prolonged inside the area and Christian Vella netted from close distance.

30’ (0-5) The Ajax increased their lead with a goal that arrived through a shot directly from a free kick by Andre Azzopardi that surprised St Lawrence’s goalie.

37’ (0-6) Kercem reached the half-a-dozen mark when Andrew Mizzi passed inside St Lawrence’s area to substitute Anthony Zammit and the latter placed in goal with a low drive.

43’ (0-7) The Ajax sealed the win by scoring the seventh goal when Carlos Cutajar delivered a cross from the right flank and Cesar Velez Da Silva pushed the ball into the goal from close distance.

FT (SLS 0 – KA 7)

Referee: Kankaras Igor

Asst. Referees: Wayne Spiteri, Paula Buttigieg

Photo: Anthony Cassar